  Defect prediction models that are trained on class imbalanced datasets (i.e.,
the proportion of defective and clean modules is not equally represented) are
highly susceptible to produce inaccurate prediction models. Prior research
compares the impact of class rebalancing techniques on the performance of
defect prediction models. Prior research efforts arrive at contradictory
conclusions due to the use of different choice of datasets, classification
techniques, and performance measures. Such contradictory conclusions make it
hard to derive practical guidelines for whether class rebalancing techniques
should be applied in the context of defect prediction models. In this paper, we
investigate the impact of 4 popularly-used class rebalancing techniques on 10
commonly-used performance measures and the interpretation of defect prediction
models. We also construct statistical models to better understand in which
experimental design settings that class rebalancing techniques are beneficial
for defect prediction models. Through a case study of 101 datasets that span
across proprietary and open-source systems, we recommend that class rebalancing
techniques are necessary when quality assurance teams wish to increase the
completeness of identifying software defects (i.e., Recall). However, class
rebalancing techniques should be avoided when interpreting defect prediction
models. We also find that class rebalancing techniques do not impact the AUC
measure. Hence, AUC should be used as a standard measure when comparing defect
prediction models.

Software Engineering