Classifying Authorial Perspective

Abstract

Information scientists have long recognized the potential benefits of classifying authorial perspective. In particular, this would help users evaluate the potential relevance of works (Clavier and Paganelli 2011). And of course it would alert users to potential biases in the text (Gutierrez and Martinez-Avila 2014). Lukoianova and Rubin (2013) suggest that it might also enhance detection of purposeful deception. In addition, such a classification would facilitate communication both within and beyond social groups (Szostak 2014). Individuals might wish at times to consult only works reflecting a particular perspective; if so this is a desire that knowledge organization systems should serve. We might hope that users will often be interested in exploring particular issues from multiple perspectives; this task too will be aided by classifying works in terms of authorial perspective. But such a classification has never been developed.