Investigates vocabulary of the humanities by analyzing terms used as entry points in leading encyclopedias and dictionaries in humanities. Categories that distinguish entry terms by precision and potential for effectiveness in subject access are proposed and a sample of entry terms is classified into these categories. Thirty-five sources are…

Discusses problems with subject searches in online library catalogs and examines theoretical principles for the design of effective information retrieval systems. Probabilistic ranking methods are discussed, and an experimental online catalog called CHESHIRE is described. It is noted that CHESHIRE uses classification clustering, provides natural…

This article focuses on storage models for libraries, first considering the Dewey classification system from this perspective and then summarizing more current research carried out under the direction of the author with a grant from the National Science Foundation. (33 references) (Author/NH)

Reports a study that analyzed natural language search statements constructed by 22 Getty Visiting Scholars as they researched humanities topics on DIALOG. Results show a greater use of names, geographical areas, chronological periods, and discipline terms than scientists use, with implications for the design of humanities online systems and…