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Week 9: Group Mentions

Last week I had mid-term evaluations which were conducted by my project supervisor, Dr. Rosalind Beiler. Dr. Beiler and I discussed how the semester was going and I was asked if I would like to stay on--which I agreed to! I was given excellent marks on my evaluation.

Last week I also develop an assessment for researchers to work on together. An important factor in Inter Annotator Agreement is the creation of an open, collaborative environment. A couple weeks ago researchers suggested that we all work on mentions as a group which I happily agreed to. They were presented with a short letter on screen and were instructed to fill out a Microsoft Form together with their answers. Here is the passage:

15866 - Roger Longworth, Rotterdam, Netherlands to James Harrison, n.p., [September] 24, 1679

"...and doe desire to
Recaive a few Lines from you, diract them
to Stephen Crisp at London or eles wheire
I had thought to a write to yoou againe before
I went from London, but I went out in hast, I
did not sele my mare, to pay to Will: Townsen
I tould him what P: P: speke to mee, I toke sh
ipping [shipping] on the seventh day of this instent in the even
and Landed at the Brile [Brielle, Netherlands] on the first day in the
evening, soe I am well everie way blessed be
the name of the Lord Will Gibson is heare his
Love is to thee, my Love to all frenids as thou rem [remember]
George Keeth all soe is heare..."

Here are the possible mentions:

Mention 1
Person(s): Crisp, Stephen
Place(s): London, England
Comment(s): Longworth directs Harrison to send letters for him to Stephen Crisp
Keyword(s): Communication network - intermediary
Date(s):

Mention 2
Person(s): Longworth, Roger; Townsend, William; Pemberton, Phineas
Place(s): [London, England]
Comment(s): engaged in business or settling accounts together
Keyword(s): Business - debt; Economic network
Date(s):

Mention 3
Person(s): Longworth, Roger
Place(s): London, England; Brielle, Netherlands
Comment(s): Demonstrates a common path to reach the Netherlands from England
Keyword(s): Travel network - journey path; Movement; Travel network - Traveling Friends
Date(s): 1679-07-17; 1679-07-18

Mention 4
Person(s): Gibson, William; Keith, George
Place(s): Rotterdam, Netherlands
Comment(s): both in Rotterdam with Roger Longworth
Keyword(s): Social network
Date(s):

Since we were short on time last week, the researchers could only find one mention from the passage out of four possible answers. This week we will continue group mentions on the same passage with a window of 10-15 minutes. 

I am also happy to announce that I finished my first 10 practice transcriptions! From here I can either work on Zooniverse transcribing or request more transcriptions to practice with. Next will I will continue to create assessments and work on EndNote mention entries. The group mentioned that they would like to do individual workshops on mentions that they are working on. Two experts on mentions, Casey and Pauline, will be available to help. I hope to begin workshops in a couple weeks after the group assessments.


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