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Hauptverfasser: Lin, Hao, Zhang, Yongjun
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2025
Schlagworte:
Online-Zugang:https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.22040
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author Lin, Hao
Zhang, Yongjun
author_facet Lin, Hao
Zhang, Yongjun
contents Large language models (LLMs) have the potential to revolutionize computational social science, particularly in automated textual analysis. In this paper, we conduct a systematic evaluation of the promises and risks associated with using LLMs for text classification tasks, using social movement studies as an example. We propose a framework for social scientists to incorporate LLMs into text annotation, either as the primary coding decision-maker or as a coding assistant. This framework offers researchers tools to develop the potential best-performing prompt, and to systematically examine and report the validity and reliability of LLMs as a methodological tool. Additionally, we evaluate and discuss its epistemic risks associated with validity, reliability, replicability, and transparency. We conclude with several practical guidelines for using LLMs in text annotation tasks and offer recommendations for more effectively communicating epistemic risks in research.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2503_22040
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Navigating the Risks of Using Large Language Models for Text Annotation in Social Science Research
Lin, Hao
Zhang, Yongjun
Computation and Language
Computers and Society
Large language models (LLMs) have the potential to revolutionize computational social science, particularly in automated textual analysis. In this paper, we conduct a systematic evaluation of the promises and risks associated with using LLMs for text classification tasks, using social movement studies as an example. We propose a framework for social scientists to incorporate LLMs into text annotation, either as the primary coding decision-maker or as a coding assistant. This framework offers researchers tools to develop the potential best-performing prompt, and to systematically examine and report the validity and reliability of LLMs as a methodological tool. Additionally, we evaluate and discuss its epistemic risks associated with validity, reliability, replicability, and transparency. We conclude with several practical guidelines for using LLMs in text annotation tasks and offer recommendations for more effectively communicating epistemic risks in research.
title Navigating the Risks of Using Large Language Models for Text Annotation in Social Science Research
topic Computation and Language
Computers and Society
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.22040