  We conduct an inquiry into the sociotechnical aspects of sentiment analysis
(SA) by critically examining 189 peer-reviewed papers on their applications,
models, and datasets. Our investigation stems from the recognition that SA has
become an integral component of diverse sociotechnical systems, exerting
influence on both social and technical users. By delving into sociological and
technological literature on sentiment, we unveil distinct conceptualizations of
this term in domains such as finance, government, and medicine. Our study
exposes a lack of explicit definitions and frameworks for characterizing
sentiment, resulting in potential challenges and biases. To tackle this issue,
we propose an ethics sheet encompassing critical inquiries to guide
practitioners in ensuring equitable utilization of SA. Our findings underscore
the significance of adopting an interdisciplinary approach to defining
sentiment in SA and offer a pragmatic solution for its implementation.
