01
Reasoning scope versus file scope
Reasoning scope is not the same as the list of files opened or changed. It concerns which contracts, dependencies, state relationships, owners, invariants, failure paths, tests, and downstream effects were materially included in the analysis supporting the repair.
02
Mismatch as a study variable
A local reasoning scope can be smaller than the architecture affected by a change. The study tests whether mismatch between reasoning or implementation scope and architectural blast radius predicts subsequent corrective PR cascades while accounting for alternative explanations such as codebase maturity, CI maturity, model/tool changes, test coverage, PR size, defect class, and repair-unit type.
03
Interpretation boundary
Broader reasoning is not automatically better. The relevant target is sufficient coverage of the architecture materially affected by the change. Inspecting unrelated surfaces can add cost without adding evidence, while missing a participating boundary can leave a repair incomplete.
Evidence boundary
What this entry supports
Reasoning scope is a measured/coded study construct. The site does not treat a single observed repair sequence as proof that scope mismatch causes later corrections.
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