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On measurement of distances between texts in dictionary-based content analysis

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  • Anton Oleinik

    (Memorial University of Newfoundland)

Abstract

The article discusses the measurement of distances between heterogeneous texts. Some limitations of WordStat, a popular off-the-shelf software package for content analysis, when measuring distances between texts, are identified and investigated with the help of an experiment. A corpus of texts (c. 4 million words) composed of political leaders’ speeches and news items about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in three languages was analyzed twice, using WordStat and an algorithm with explicitly set parameters. The same custom-built dictionary was used in both cases. A larger corpus of texts (c. 16 million words) was also analyzed using an extended version of the dictionary and the proposed metrics, Sigma (the standard deviation of observed frequencies from expected frequencies) and Cohen’s d. Some remedies are discussed, including the additional processing of output generated by WordStat and adding Sigma to the list of (dis)similarity measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Anton Oleinik, 2025. "On measurement of distances between texts in dictionary-based content analysis," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 59(1), pages 125-145, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:59:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11135-024-01933-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11135-024-01933-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Simon, Adam F. & Xenos, Michael, 2004. "Dimensional Reduction of Word-Frequency Data as a Substitute for Intersubjective Content Analysis," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 12(1), pages 63-75, January.
    2. Anton Oleinik, 2022. "Relevance in Web search: between content, authority and popularity," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(1), pages 173-194, February.
    3. Robert Hogenraad & Dean Mckenzie & Normand Péladeau, 2003. "Force and Influence in Content Analysis: The Production of New Social Knowledge," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 37(3), pages 221-238, August.
    4. Melina Alexa & Cornelia Zuell, 2000. "Text Analysis Software: Commonalities, Differences and Limitations: The Results of a Review," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 34(3), pages 299-321, August.
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