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Perceptions of the State of D&I and D&I Initiative in the ASF

Mariam Guizani, Bianca Trinkenreich, Aileen Abril Castro-Guzman, Igor Steinmacher, Marco Gerosa, Anita Sarma

TL;DR

This study investigates contributors' perceptions of diversity and inclusion (D&I) in open source, using the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) as a case. It employs a mixed-methods design with a large survey (n=624) and 11 follow-up interviews, analyzed via ordinal logistic regression and open coding to relate perceptions to six demographic attributes. Findings show that beyond gender, attributes like seniority, English proficiency, and compensation shape perceptions of D&I state and initiative, with concerns about scope, organization, and polarization of the ASF's D&I efforts. The work highlights the need for multidimensional, intersectional approaches and ongoing, evidence-based refinement of D&I initiatives to improve participation and representation in OSS communities.

Abstract

Open Source Software (OSS) Foundations and projects are investing in creating Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) initiatives. However, little is known about contributors' perceptions about the usefulness and success of such initiatives. We aim to close this gap by investigating how contributors perceive the state of D&I in their community. In collaboration with the Apache Software Foundation (ASF), we surveyed 600+ OSS contributors and conducted 11 follow-up interviews. We used mixed methods to analyze our data-quantitative analysis of Likert-scale questions and qualitative analysis of open-ended survey question and the interviews to understand contributors' perceptions and critiques of the D&I initiative and how to improve it. Our results indicate that the ASF contributors felt that the state of D&I was still lacking, especially regarding gender, seniority, and English proficiency. Regarding the D&I initiative, some participants felt that the effort was unnecessary, while others agreed with the effort but critiqued its implementation. These findings show that D&I initiatives in OSS communities are a good start, but there is room for improvements. Our results can inspire the creation of new and the refinement of current initiatives.

Perceptions of the State of D&I and D&I Initiative in the ASF

TL;DR

This study investigates contributors' perceptions of diversity and inclusion (D&I) in open source, using the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) as a case. It employs a mixed-methods design with a large survey (n=624) and 11 follow-up interviews, analyzed via ordinal logistic regression and open coding to relate perceptions to six demographic attributes. Findings show that beyond gender, attributes like seniority, English proficiency, and compensation shape perceptions of D&I state and initiative, with concerns about scope, organization, and polarization of the ASF's D&I efforts. The work highlights the need for multidimensional, intersectional approaches and ongoing, evidence-based refinement of D&I initiatives to improve participation and representation in OSS communities.

Abstract

Open Source Software (OSS) Foundations and projects are investing in creating Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) initiatives. However, little is known about contributors' perceptions about the usefulness and success of such initiatives. We aim to close this gap by investigating how contributors perceive the state of D&I in their community. In collaboration with the Apache Software Foundation (ASF), we surveyed 600+ OSS contributors and conducted 11 follow-up interviews. We used mixed methods to analyze our data-quantitative analysis of Likert-scale questions and qualitative analysis of open-ended survey question and the interviews to understand contributors' perceptions and critiques of the D&I initiative and how to improve it. Our results indicate that the ASF contributors felt that the state of D&I was still lacking, especially regarding gender, seniority, and English proficiency. Regarding the D&I initiative, some participants felt that the effort was unnecessary, while others agreed with the effort but critiqued its implementation. These findings show that D&I initiatives in OSS communities are a good start, but there is room for improvements. Our results can inspire the creation of new and the refinement of current initiatives.
Paper Structure (20 sections, 6 figures, 7 tables)

This paper contains 20 sections, 6 figures, 7 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Background and Related Work
  3. Research Method
  4. Survey
  5. Interviews
  6. Data Analysis
  7. Quantitative: Ordinal Logistic Regression
  8. Qualitative: Open Coding
  9. Results
  10. Perceptions on the state of D&I
  11. Role Stereotyping
  12. Perceptions about ability to contribute
  13. Perceptions of being represented
  14. Perceptions of extent of D&I Issues
  15. Perceptions on D&I initiative at the ASF
  16. ...and 5 more sections

Figures (6)

  • Figure 1: Responses to the 5-points Likert-scale items about role stereotyping (Q1-Q3, Table \ref{['tab:SurveyQuestions']}). Left hand (yellow) shows levels of disagreement, middle (grey) is neutral, and right (green) shows level of agreement. We only show the responses where the differences between segments were significant. See supplemental material suppdoc for all the Likert-scale figures.
  • Figure 2: Responses to the 5-points Likert-scale items for 'ability to contribute' (Q5, Q6, Q8 were significant).
  • Figure 3: Responses to the 5-points Likert-scale items for 'being represented' (Q9 and Q10 were significant).
  • Figure 4: ASF contributors' perspective on the extent of D&I issues.
  • Figure 5: Responses to the 5-points Likert-scale item for 'code of conduct' (Q12 was significant).
  • ...and 1 more figures