Comparing Programming Language Comprehension between Novice and Expert Programmers Using EEG Analysis

Seolhwa Lee; Andrew Matteson; Danial Hooshyar; Songhyun Kim; Jaebum Jung; Gichun Nam; Heuiseok Lim

doi:10.1109/BIBE.2016.30

Comparing Programming Language Comprehension between Novice and Expert Programmers Using EEG Analysis

Seolhwa Lee, Andrew Matteson, Danial Hooshyar, Songhyun Kim, Jaebum Jung, Gichun Nam, Heuiseok Lim

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

50 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

For programming language comprehension, high cognitive skills (e.g., reading, writing, working memory, etc.) and information processing are required. However, there are few papers that approach this from a neuroscientific perspective. In this paper, we examine program comprehension neuroscientifically and also observe the differences between novice and expert programmers. We designed an EEG (electroencephalogram) experiment and observed 18 participants during a series of program comprehension tasks. We found clear differences in program comprehension ability between novice and expert programmers. Experts exhibited higher brainwave activation than novices in electrodes F3 and P8. These results indicate that experts have outstanding program comprehension-Associated abilities such as digit encoding, coarse coding, short-Term memory, and subsequent memory effect. Our findings can serve as a foundation for future research in this pioneering field.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings - 2016 IEEE 16th International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, BIBE 2016
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages	350-355
Number of pages	6
ISBN (Electronic)	9781509038336
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/BIBE.2016.30
Publication status	Published - 2016 Dec 16
Event	16th IEEE International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, BIBE 2016 - Taichung, Taiwan, Province of China Duration: 2016 Oct 31 → 2016 Nov 2

Publication series

Name	Proceedings - 2016 IEEE 16th International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, BIBE 2016

Other

Other	16th IEEE International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, BIBE 2016
Country/Territory	Taiwan, Province of China
City	Taichung
Period	16/10/31 → 16/11/2

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 IEEE.

Keywords

Electroencephalogram
Empirical study
Human factors
Neuroscientific
Program comprehension

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Biotechnology
Genetics
Bioengineering
Biomedical Engineering
Health Informatics

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1109/BIBE.2016.30

Cite this

Lee, S., Matteson, A., Hooshyar, D., Kim, S., Jung, J., Nam, G., & Lim, H. (2016). Comparing Programming Language Comprehension between Novice and Expert Programmers Using EEG Analysis. In Proceedings - 2016 IEEE 16th International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, BIBE 2016 (pp. 350-355). Article 7790010 (Proceedings - 2016 IEEE 16th International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, BIBE 2016). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/BIBE.2016.30

Comparing Programming Language Comprehension between Novice and Expert Programmers Using EEG Analysis. / Lee, Seolhwa; Matteson, Andrew; Hooshyar, Danial et al.
Proceedings - 2016 IEEE 16th International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, BIBE 2016. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2016. p. 350-355 7790010 (Proceedings - 2016 IEEE 16th International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, BIBE 2016).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Lee, S, Matteson, A, Hooshyar, D, Kim, S, Jung, J, Nam, G & Lim, H 2016, Comparing Programming Language Comprehension between Novice and Expert Programmers Using EEG Analysis. in Proceedings - 2016 IEEE 16th International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, BIBE 2016., 7790010, Proceedings - 2016 IEEE 16th International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, BIBE 2016, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., pp. 350-355, 16th IEEE International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, BIBE 2016, Taichung, Taiwan, Province of China, 16/10/31. https://doi.org/10.1109/BIBE.2016.30

Lee S, Matteson A, Hooshyar D, Kim S, Jung J, Nam G et al. Comparing Programming Language Comprehension between Novice and Expert Programmers Using EEG Analysis. In Proceedings - 2016 IEEE 16th International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, BIBE 2016. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 2016. p. 350-355. 7790010. (Proceedings - 2016 IEEE 16th International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, BIBE 2016). doi: 10.1109/BIBE.2016.30

Lee, Seolhwa ; Matteson, Andrew ; Hooshyar, Danial et al. / Comparing Programming Language Comprehension between Novice and Expert Programmers Using EEG Analysis. Proceedings - 2016 IEEE 16th International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, BIBE 2016. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2016. pp. 350-355 (Proceedings - 2016 IEEE 16th International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, BIBE 2016).

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Comparing Programming Language Comprehension between Novice and Expert Programmers Using EEG Analysis

Abstract

Publication series

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Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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