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Relevance 7/10Quality and QAIntermediate6 min read
Rubric Drift
Rubric drift occurs when evaluators gradually apply scoring criteria inconsistently over time.
Why it matters for annotators
It silently degrades data quality if left uncorrected.
Visual mental model
Time-series scoring -> drift detection -> recalibration.
Examples (bad vs good)
Scenario: Real annotation scenario involving Rubric Drift
Bad: Labeling quickly without applying project rubric.
Good: Applying rubric criteria, documenting rationale, and escalating uncertainty.
Common mistakes
- Skipping guideline details for edge cases.
- Applying inconsistent criteria across similar samples.
- Avoiding escalation even when uncertain.
Submission checklist
- Read the latest guideline update before each batch.
- Apply rubric dimensions explicitly in each decision.
- Escalate ambiguous items with concise rationale.