Fuse Keyword And Vector Results
Explain how Reciprocal Rank Fusion combines keyword and vector result lists without comparing raw scores.
The team needs to merge BM25 and vector results, but raw scores are not comparable across retrievers. Reciprocal Rank Fusion: combine ranked lists using rank positions, not raw score scales The common trap is averaging BM25 and vector scores without calibration. That makes the larger or more variable score dominate. List ranks BM25: A=1, B=2, C=3. Vector: B=1, C=2, A=3. Use each retriever's rank position; ignore raw score scale. Apply RRF With k=60, A gets 1/(60+1) + 1/(60+3). B gets 1/(60+2) + 1/(60+1). C gets 1/(60+3) + 1/(60+2). Higher ranks contribute slightly more, but agreement across lists matters. Sort fused…
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