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Relevance 9/10Operations and WorkflowIntermediate6 min read
Taxonomy and Label Schema
A taxonomy defines classes and rules for assigning labels consistently.
Why it matters for annotators
Weak schema design causes disagreement, relabeling cost, and unstable model behavior.
Visual mental model
Class hierarchy -> class definitions -> label assignment.
Examples (bad vs good)
Scenario: Real annotation scenario involving Taxonomy and Label Schema
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.