Applying graph-based knowledge representation to capture insights from discussions forum in software engineering

Abstract

Context: In the social web paradigm, discussion forums facilitate knowledge transfer among developers. However, manually finding helpful information in discussions on a particular topic is complex, making it a significant challenge for knowledge management. Objective: The objective of this paper is to explore the representation of knowledge supported by graphs generated from discussion forums in Software Engineering. Method: Firstly, graphs were built considering the discussion topics of the Stack Overflow forum. Visual analysis and analysis of the thematic relevance of the graphs were performed. Next, an evaluation of the graphs generated through interviews with software industry professionals was also conducted to obtain a practical view of the study. Finally, a preliminary practical analysis was conducted to evaluate the use of graphs, visually representing the Stack Overflow discussion topic content, as a complementary resource to understanding the discussion text. Results. The use of graphs presented interesting results both in visual analyzes and in analyzes from a professional's perspective. Conclusion: Using graphs generated from discussion forums can help the software industry identify useful information and new trends. Graphs can be considered a complementary resource for understanding the discussion text. We expect that, with the results achieved in this study, software organizations, as well as researchers in the area, can focus efforts on the use of approaches that help, through visual representation of knowledge, the understanding of large textual bases of discussion forums, as Stack Overflow, and allow us to infer helpful information that assists organizations in project decisions.