Document (#36242)

Author
Rubin, V.L.
Title
Epistemic modality : from uncertainty to certainty in the context of information seeking as interactions with texts
Source
Information processing and management. 46(2010) no.5, S.533-540
Year
2010
Abstract
This article introduces a type of uncertainty that resides in textual information and requires epistemic interpretation on the information seeker's part. Epistemic modality, as defined in linguistics and natural language processing, is a writer's estimation of the validity of propositional content in texts. It is an evaluation of chances that a certain hypothetical state of affairs is true, e.g., definitely true or possibly true. This research shifts attention from the uncertainty-certainty dichotomy to a gradient epistemic continuum of absolute, high, moderate, low certainty, and uncertainty. An analysis of a New York Times dataset showed that epistemically modalized statements are pervasive in news discourse and they occur at a significantly higher rate in editorials than in news reports. Four independent annotators were able to recognize a gradation on the continuum but individual perceptions of the boundaries between levels were highly subjective. Stricter annotation instructions and longer coder training improved intercoder agreement results. This paper offers an interdisciplinary bridge between research in linguistics, natural language processing, and information seeking with potential benefits to design and implementation of information systems for situations where large amounts of textual information are screened manually on a regular basis, for instance, by professional intelligence or business analysts.

Similar documents (author)

  1. Rubin, R.: Foundations of library and information science (2010) 6.09
    6.094361 = sum of:
      6.094361 = weight(author_txt:rubin in 4781) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        6.094361 = fieldWeight in 4781, product of:
          1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
            1.0 = termFreq=1.0
          9.7509775 = idf(docFreq=6, maxDocs=44218)
          0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=4781)
    
  2. Rubin, V.L.: Disinformation and misinformation triangle (2019) 6.09
    6.094361 = sum of:
      6.094361 = weight(author_txt:rubin in 5462) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        6.094361 = fieldWeight in 5462, product of:
          1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
            1.0 = termFreq=1.0
          9.7509775 = idf(docFreq=6, maxDocs=44218)
          0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=5462)
    
  3. Kwasnik, B.H.; Rubin, V.L.: Stretching conceptual structures in classifications across languages and cultures (2003) 4.88
    4.8754888 = sum of:
      4.8754888 = weight(author_txt:rubin in 5517) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        4.8754888 = fieldWeight in 5517, product of:
          1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
            1.0 = termFreq=1.0
          9.7509775 = idf(docFreq=6, maxDocs=44218)
          0.5 = fieldNorm(doc=5517)
    
  4. Rubin, R.; Froehlich, T.J.: Ethical aspects of library and information science (2009) 4.88
    4.8754888 = sum of:
      4.8754888 = weight(author_txt:rubin in 3778) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        4.8754888 = fieldWeight in 3778, product of:
          1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
            1.0 = termFreq=1.0
          9.7509775 = idf(docFreq=6, maxDocs=44218)
          0.5 = fieldNorm(doc=3778)
    
  5. Rubin, V.L.; Lukoianova, T.: Truth and deception at the rhetorical structure level (2015) 4.88
    4.8754888 = sum of:
      4.8754888 = weight(author_txt:rubin in 1816) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        4.8754888 = fieldWeight in 1816, product of:
          1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
            1.0 = termFreq=1.0
          9.7509775 = idf(docFreq=6, maxDocs=44218)
          0.5 = fieldNorm(doc=1816)
    

Similar documents (content)

  1. Fry, J.: Scholarly research and information practices : a domain analytic approach (2006) 0.08
    0.08211709 = sum of:
      0.08211709 = product of:
        0.5132318 = sum of:
          0.02865845 = weight(abstract_txt:seeking in 969) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.02865845 = score(doc=969,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.090081304 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.1560161 = boost
                5.090237 = idf(docFreq=739, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              0.31813982 = fieldWeight in 969, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                5.090237 = idf(docFreq=739, maxDocs=44218)
                0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=969)
          0.02265641 = weight(abstract_txt:information in 969) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.02265641 = score(doc=969,freq=6.0), product of:
              0.061129417 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.6494241 = boost
                2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              0.3706302 = fieldWeight in 969, product of:
                2.4494898 = tf(freq=6.0), with freq of:
                  6.0 = termFreq=6.0
                2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
                0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=969)
          0.25195703 = weight(abstract_txt:uncertainty in 969) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.25195703 = score(doc=969,freq=3.0), product of:
              0.3352124 = queryWeight, product of:
                3.153709 = boost
                6.943297 = idf(docFreq=115, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              0.75163394 = fieldWeight in 969, product of:
                1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                  3.0 = termFreq=3.0
                6.943297 = idf(docFreq=115, maxDocs=44218)
                0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=969)
          0.20995992 = weight(abstract_txt:epistemic in 969) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.20995992 = score(doc=969,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.4281216 = queryWeight, product of:
                3.564061 = boost
                7.84674 = idf(docFreq=46, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              0.49042124 = fieldWeight in 969, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                7.84674 = idf(docFreq=46, maxDocs=44218)
                0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=969)
        0.16 = coord(4/25)
    
  2. Zhang, X.; Fang, Y.; He, W.; Zhang, Y.; Liu, X.: Epistemic motivation, task reflexivity, and knowledge contribution behavior on team wikis : a cross-level moderation model (2019) 0.08
    0.07571995 = sum of:
      0.07571995 = product of:
        0.6309996 = sum of:
          0.032582 = weight(abstract_txt:processing in 5245) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.032582 = score(doc=5245,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.08456254 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.1200453 = boost
                4.931848 = idf(docFreq=866, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              0.38530064 = fieldWeight in 5245, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                4.931848 = idf(docFreq=866, maxDocs=44218)
                0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=5245)
          0.0115618 = weight(abstract_txt:information in 5245) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.0115618 = score(doc=5245,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.061129417 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.6494241 = boost
                2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              0.18913643 = fieldWeight in 5245, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
                0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=5245)
          0.5868558 = weight(abstract_txt:epistemic in 5245) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.5868558 = score(doc=5245,freq=5.0), product of:
              0.4281216 = queryWeight, product of:
                3.564061 = boost
                7.84674 = idf(docFreq=46, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              1.370769 = fieldWeight in 5245, product of:
                2.236068 = tf(freq=5.0), with freq of:
                  5.0 = termFreq=5.0
                7.84674 = idf(docFreq=46, maxDocs=44218)
                0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=5245)
        0.12 = coord(3/25)
    
  3. Baillie, M.; Azzopardi, L.; Ruthven, I.: Evaluating epistemic uncertainty under incomplete assessments (2008) 0.07
    0.07124964 = sum of:
      0.07124964 = product of:
        0.593747 = sum of:
          0.016350854 = weight(abstract_txt:information in 2065) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.016350854 = score(doc=2065,freq=2.0), product of:
              0.061129417 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.6494241 = boost
                2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              0.2674793 = fieldWeight in 2065, product of:
                1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                  2.0 = termFreq=2.0
                2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
                0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=2065)
          0.31494626 = weight(abstract_txt:uncertainty in 2065) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.31494626 = score(doc=2065,freq=3.0), product of:
              0.3352124 = queryWeight, product of:
                3.153709 = boost
                6.943297 = idf(docFreq=115, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              0.9395424 = fieldWeight in 2065, product of:
                1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                  3.0 = termFreq=3.0
                6.943297 = idf(docFreq=115, maxDocs=44218)
                0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=2065)
          0.26244992 = weight(abstract_txt:epistemic in 2065) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.26244992 = score(doc=2065,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.4281216 = queryWeight, product of:
                3.564061 = boost
                7.84674 = idf(docFreq=46, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              0.61302656 = fieldWeight in 2065, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                7.84674 = idf(docFreq=46, maxDocs=44218)
                0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=2065)
        0.12 = coord(3/25)
    
  4. Oliphant, T.: Emerging (information) realities and epistemic injustice (2021) 0.07
    0.06994631 = sum of:
      0.06994631 = product of:
        0.5828859 = sum of:
          0.045934826 = weight(abstract_txt:news in 358) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.045934826 = score(doc=358,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.12337512 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.3528833 = boost
                5.957094 = idf(docFreq=310, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              0.3723184 = fieldWeight in 358, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                5.957094 = idf(docFreq=310, maxDocs=44218)
                0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=358)
          0.02265641 = weight(abstract_txt:information in 358) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.02265641 = score(doc=358,freq=6.0), product of:
              0.061129417 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.6494241 = boost
                2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              0.3706302 = fieldWeight in 358, product of:
                2.4494898 = tf(freq=6.0), with freq of:
                  6.0 = termFreq=6.0
                2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
                0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=358)
          0.5142947 = weight(abstract_txt:epistemic in 358) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.5142947 = score(doc=358,freq=6.0), product of:
              0.4281216 = queryWeight, product of:
                3.564061 = boost
                7.84674 = idf(docFreq=46, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              1.2012818 = fieldWeight in 358, product of:
                2.4494898 = tf(freq=6.0), with freq of:
                  6.0 = termFreq=6.0
                7.84674 = idf(docFreq=46, maxDocs=44218)
                0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=358)
        0.12 = coord(3/25)
    
  5. Eadon, Y.M.: ¬(Not) part of the system : resolving epistemic disconnect through archival reference (2020) 0.07
    0.06867416 = sum of:
      0.06867416 = product of:
        0.5722847 = sum of:
          0.035823062 = weight(abstract_txt:seeking in 23) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.035823062 = score(doc=23,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.090081304 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.1560161 = boost
                5.090237 = idf(docFreq=739, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              0.39767477 = fieldWeight in 23, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                5.090237 = idf(docFreq=739, maxDocs=44218)
                0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=23)
          0.0115618 = weight(abstract_txt:information in 23) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.0115618 = score(doc=23,freq=1.0), product of:
              0.061129417 = queryWeight, product of:
                1.6494241 = boost
                2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              0.18913643 = fieldWeight in 23, product of:
                1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                  1.0 = termFreq=1.0
                2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
                0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=23)
          0.52489984 = weight(abstract_txt:epistemic in 23) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
            0.52489984 = score(doc=23,freq=4.0), product of:
              0.4281216 = queryWeight, product of:
                3.564061 = boost
                7.84674 = idf(docFreq=46, maxDocs=44218)
                0.015308504 = queryNorm
              1.2260531 = fieldWeight in 23, product of:
                2.0 = tf(freq=4.0), with freq of:
                  4.0 = termFreq=4.0
                7.84674 = idf(docFreq=46, maxDocs=44218)
                0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=23)
        0.12 = coord(3/25)