“Better Communication Leads to a Higher Output?” An Analysis of Pair Communication on Pair Programming Productivity

Background:
This study focuses on how group communication affects group productivity. The specific scope of the study is pair programming. The study aims to discover whether intra-pair communication in pair programming has a significant impact on the pair programming process and output.
Literature review:
Many of the pair programming communication studies are descriptive and qualitative studies whose foci lay more on communication contents and alternative message deliveries. As a result, more research that focuses on analyzing the effectiveness of a person's communication skill level while performing a demanding task is needed.
Research question:
Does the communication competency level significantly impact pair programming output?
Methodology:
A pool of novice university programming students was deployed for the experiment. The Conversational Skills Rating Scale (CSRS) was used to categorize them into three cohorts—"high-high,” “high-low,” and “low-low.” The confounding variables were controlled.
Results:
No significant difference was found among the three cohorts in terms of their pair programming code output. Additionally, the post-experiment questionnaire responses revealed no significant difference in compatibility and confidence levels, but did show a significant difference in communication level.
Conclusion:
With all things being equal, a programmer's high communication skill level doesn't play a significant role in the programming output in a pair programming setting.