Halfchecking

Halfchecking is a term used to describe a type of review process where only a portion of a work is checked or reviewed. This can occur in various contexts, including academic peer review, software development, or editorial processes. The specific portion that is "halfchecked" can vary, but it often involves checking a summary, an abstract, or a specific section of a larger document or project.

The practice of halfchecking can be driven by time constraints, resource limitations, or a perceived need to prioritize certain aspects of a work. For example, a reviewer might halfcheck a paper by only reading the introduction and conclusion to gauge its overall merit before deciding to conduct a full review. In software development, a developer might halfcheck a code commit by only reviewing the changes made to a critical function rather than the entire codebase.

While halfchecking can offer efficiency, it also carries inherent risks. Important issues or errors within the unchecked portions may be missed, leading to potential quality control problems. The effectiveness of halfchecking depends heavily on the specific context, the criteria for selection of the portion to be checked, and the expertise of the person performing the check. It is generally considered a less thorough method than a full review.