Steinmacher et al. conducted a literature review of 20 primary studies on barriers faced by newcomers in open-source software projects and identified 15 barriers classified into five categories. The first category is Social Interaction, which includes three main barriers for newcomers interacting with existing members of the community:
- lack of social interaction,
- not receiving a timely response, and
- receiving an improper response.
It is essential for online communities to address these barriers and create a welcoming environment to encourage newcomers to participate and contribute. This can include providing clear communication channels, implementing timely and helpful responses to inquiries, and fostering a positive and inclusive culture that values all members. By addressing these barriers, online communities can help newcomers feel welcomed and integrated, leading to greater engagement and a stronger community.
