Automating Document Classification in the Financial Markets: A Comparative Study of Simple Models Versus Complex Models

As the volume of textual data continues to surge, the demand for automated techniques to classify and analyze large text datasets intensifies. This article addresses the critical task of text classification, particularly in the context of financial market regulation, where efficient document analysis is paramount. Our study conducts a comparative analysis employing both simple learning models and complex language models to automate and enhance document classification. By leveraging a diverse dataset from a prominent online platform, meticulous preprocessing techniques, and rigorous Out of Sample testing, we aim to evaluate the generalizability of our models across various contexts and datasets, including the complexities and biases inherent in real so-cial media data. Results indicate that the Random Forest emerges as a standout performer among simple models, achieving a low error rate of 3.755% and a notable False Negative Rate (PI0) of 3.154 %. Conversely, among complex models, the Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) is identified as the preferred choice, displaying a superior balance of a low error rate of 2.843% and a minimal PI0 of 2% at a threshold of 0.9. This research not only provides insights into effective resource prioritization for businesses but also acknowledges the challenges of working with real social media data, emphasizing the importance of capturing and addressing the intricacies and biases present in such datasets. Future avenues of exploration may include advanced data balancing methods, sophisticated preprocessing techniques, and alternative classification models to further enrich document classification research in dynamic social media contexts and beyond.