ERIC Number: EJ1481237
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 29
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0899 3408
EISSN: EISSN-1744-5175
Available Date: 0000-00-00
A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Nomenclature of Scientific Computing
Computer Science Education, v35 n3 p606-634 2025
Background and Context: Data science and statistics are used across a broad spectrum of professions, experience levels and programming languages. The popular scientific computing languages, such as Matlab, Python and R, were organized without using empirical methods to show evidence for or against their design choices, resulting in them feeling eclectic or esoteric in their design. Objective: To meaningfully organize scientific computing based on evidence gathered through user feedback, build a statistical package based on the findings and provide a replication packet to run similar studies on people with different backgrounds. Method: A randomized controlled trial using a weighted, ranked choice survey (n = 118) with between-subjects design having two independent variables: Language Group (Matlab, Python and R) and Method Name options. Our dependent variable was a normalized preference rating. Findings: There was a very small interaction between Language Group and Method Name. Language Group did not have a statistically significant effect, but Method Name did (F(4, 27037) = 2211.23, p < 0.001)([partial eta-squared] = 0.247). Finally, many names in Matlab, Python and R were ranked so poorly that they were not statistically significantly different from a random word in 63.0%, 62.2% and 30.4% of concepts respectively. Implications: We found organized and structured names were ranked by a large margin, suggesting statistical programming today likely needs considerable improvement. Finally, we outline a statistical package built using these principles, provide comparison scripts and describe some of the challenges from going from simple surveys to in-practice libraries.
Descriptors: Programming Languages, Data Science, Statistical Analysis, Vocabulary, Preferences, Undergraduate Students, Novices
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Nevada (Las Vegas)
Grant or Contract Numbers: 2048356; 2106392
Author Affiliations: 1Computer Science, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA; 2Computer & Information Sciences, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, USA

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