Defines the notion of serial clustering of words in text, and explores the value of such clustering as an indicator of a word's bearing content. This approach is flexible in the sense that it is context-sensitive; a numerical approach may also be of value in assigning weights to terms in requests. Experimental support is obtained from natural text…

Discusses precision and recall in information science and proposes a new model based on fractal geometry for clusters of relevant documents. Search strategies for retrieving a group of relevant documents are reviewed; fractal sets and chaotic processes are described; and the new model is explained. (Contains 43 references.) (LRW)

Discusses the Science Library Catalog, an online catalog intended for use by children at the Los Angeles Public Library, and describes the process of reorganizing the MARC-based database by using clustering algorithms to extend the Dewey Decimal Classification. Examples of screen displays are included. (18 references) (LRW)