"Silent Is Not Actually Silent": An Investigation of Toxicity on Bug
  Report Discussion
Authors: name: Mia Mohammad Imran; name: Jaydeb Sarker
Published: 2025-03-13 05:39:29

Abstract: Toxicity in bug report discussions poses significant challenges to the
collaborative dynamics of open-source software development. Bug reports are
crucial for identifying and resolving defects, yet their inherently
problem-focused nature and emotionally charged context make them susceptible to
toxic interactions. This study explores toxicity in GitHub bug reports through
a qualitative analysis of 203 bug threads, including 81 toxic ones. Our
findings reveal that toxicity frequently arises from misaligned perceptions of
bug severity and priority, unresolved frustrations with tools, and lapses in
professional communication. These toxic interactions not only derail productive
discussions but also reduce the likelihood of actionable outcomes, such as
linking issues with pull requests. Our preliminary findings offer actionable
recommendations to improve bug resolution by mitigating toxicity.