Semantic structure analysis

Abstract: This study uses a semantic structure analysis (SSA) method to construct the causal relationships among the criteria from survey data. The literatures provide a predetermined threshold value when the SSA is applied without explanation, but we use a Monte Carlo simulation based on the raw data to determine the threshold values with the significant levels of 0.05 and 0.10 for constructing the causal relationships. The results show that the causal relationships among the criteria using the suggested threshold value are too complicated, while the causal relationships by the simulated threshold values are relatively easy to be understood and used practically.

Abstract: In this study, the intellectual structure of Records Management and Archival Science in Korea was analyzed based on the syntactic and semantic structure analysis of article titles. The data used in this study were 344 articles from three major representative journals in the field of Records Management and Archival Science, published from 1999 to 2008. The results of the syntactic and semantic structure analysis of article titles show that the three role concepts of keywords are `research domain`, `research object`, and `research focus`. Keywords in article titles were clustered into the core subject areas after they were assigned three concepts. Based on the results of cluster analysis, the intellectual structure of Records Management and Archival Science in Korea was proposed.

Abstract: In order to analyze the result of a questionnaire using a rating scale method, it is important to clarify relational structure among questionnaire items. This paper presents a Semantic Structure Analysis method, called an SS Analysis. First, the author introduces an item odering coefficient between two items and shows fundamental properties on item relationships, such as ordering and equivalence. Next, a construction method of a synthesized item relational structure, called an SS digraph is presented, and its characteristics, such as hierachical struturing on ordering are discussed. An example of the SS digraph and effectiveness of this SS analysis are shown from apractical view point. Last, the relationship between SS analysis and Ordering Theory by Airasian & Bart(1973)is discussed. It is shown that SS analysis method is a generalization form of Ordering Theory.

Abstract: Most new concepts both in the Russian and English languages are expressed using phrases or compound words, because such complex words make it possible to represent a particular concept with completeness and accuracy. But multicomponent terms—complex words and phrases—are cumbersome; therefore, there is a need to abbreviate them in one way or another. In some cases this leads to the use of short versions of the term in the form of only one main component, while in others, various types of abbreviations are used, which can save time. However, their imprecise or incorrect translation can change or confuse the intended meaning. The paper discusses the differences in using abbreviations and acronyms in British and American scientific texts, as well as difficulties of their translation and optimal strategies of interlanguage adaptation. The investigation is performed using various research techniques, including a comparative method, a continuous sampling method, semantic structure analysis, and contextual analysis. It is shown that the existing modern classifications of abbreviations greatly differ in linguistic scientific literature and lexical units are abbreviated using various methods. It is found that there exist various traditions of their usage in scientific and technical texts. It is demonstrated that various standards for introducing, spelling, and punctuating abbreviations and acronyms in British and American scientific journals pose additional difficulties in the work of a translator in the field of science and technology, provokes translation errors and requires the use of normalization and explication as the main strategies for their translation. The paper may be of interest for those who translate scientific texts for British and American readership.