Introduction

In a series of articles, I will try my best to introduce and explain the benefits of the Signal-based Sense-making Description Language (SSMDL)1, and how the SSMDL can be used to create an interoperable data structure for signal-based sense-making systems, through an example or case study of formatting an interpretation engine2 in the wild, the RAWG Ratings method, under the SSMDL.

Here, I seek to format the signals in RAWG Rating under the SSMDL data standard.

What is the SSMDL?

The SSMDL provides a structured data format, and related requirements, for representing and publishing information about signal-based sense-making systems (e.g., game rating systems, likes and reactions on social media, reputation systems, recommendation algorithms, attention allocation systems).

SSMDL is like a grammar for describing signal-based sense-making processes, in a similar sense to how Vega-lite is a high-level grammar for interactive graphics.

What is a signal?

From the SSMDL, signals are defined as "[u]seful information ascertained about a subject in a particular information space."3

Signals are the starting point in a signal-based sense-making system.

Providing an interoperable data structure for signals can aid in:

1. clarifying the definition of relevant data for designers and users of sense-making systems,

2. improving the ability to compare signal-based sense-making systems, and

3. diagnosing possible misalignment between stakeholders of the sense-making system.

What is Goodreads and Goodreads Ratings?

Goodreads is a database and discovery service for books. Goodreads’ website offers functionality for users to review books by rating them on a five-point scale, represented as stars (5-Star Rating System) and leaving a comment.

Goodreads ratings is a user-based rating system, where books can receive five possible ratings, ordered from one-star to five-star, described in the table below.

What are the signals in Goodreads Ratings?

Unfortunately, Goodreads does not explicitly describe on their website what signals a user should focus on when rating books, so some of this is guess work from me. Though, Goodreads does provide a suggested rating guidelines for it’s 5-Star Rating system.

From the possible ratings a book can receive, I believe that the signal(s) that Goodreads is expecting users to focus on could be one of the following:

1. Book Quality: the overall quality of a book from a reader’s perspective; or

2. Book Enjoyment: how much joy a reader received from a book.

Book Quality can be classified as a quality signal. Quality signals are "[a] type of signal based on some inherent (or intrinsic) quality of a Subject, independent of the viewer or user."

Book Enjoyment can be classified as a sentiment signal. Sentiment signals are "[a] type of signal based on the User’s sentiment about, or emotional reaction to, the Subject, which generally ranges from negative to positive."

Formatting Signals under SSMDL

I formatted Book Quality and Book Enjoyment under the Signal Schema V0.2, described in the table below.

Signal Schema V0.2

Formatted Goodreads Ratings Signal(s): Book Quality

Table

JSON

{
  "signal": {
    "name": "book quality",
    "description": "the overall quality of a book from a reader’s perspective",
    "type": "qualitySignal",
    "statusPublication": "deployed"
  }
}

Formatted Goodreads Ratings Signal(s): Book Enjoyment

Table

JSON

{
  "signal": {
    "name": "book quality",
    "description": "how much joy a reader received from a book",
    "type": "sentimentSignal",
    "statusPublication": "deployed"
  }
}

Request for Comments

I am seeking feedback on this pub for any improvements to make, errors to correct, questions to address, or other areas to explore.

Please leave your feedback here or contact me directly.

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