Introduces the concept of cover coefficient to indexing theory and discusses a way of computing term discrimination values by using the cover coefficient concept, index-term selection, and weight modification. This method is compared to an approach that uses similarity coefficients. (Author/EM)

Provides a method for estimating precision without examining individual database documents, which requires knowledge of only the query or expressed information need and a set of database parameters constant for all queries. Concepts of historic and expected precision are examined, and applications of precision-document graphs are assessed. (36…

Discusses intelligent filtering systems and describes work in the INFOS (Intelligent News Filtering Organizational System) project designed to automatically categorize data as relevant or irrelevant based on user interests. The filtering is performed by combining keyword-based hill climbing, knowledge-based conceptual representation via WordNet,…

Describes the National Library of Medicine's (NLM) Indexing Aid Project for conducting research in knowledge representation and indexing for information retrieval, whose goal is to develop interactive knowledge-based systems for computer-assisted indexing of the periodical medical literature. Appendices include background information on NLM…

Examines the knowledge base of an intermediary expert system that provides advice about search term selection. Topics include a proposal for an integrated approach, including an option focusing on terminological attributes based on knowledge acquired from professional searchers; and the content of the knowledge base and the research needed to…

Presents the advantages and disadvantages of free text and controlled vocabulary retrieval techniques and a methodology to assist in deciding on the optimal technique for a particular purpose. The relevance of the techniques for expert systems and full text contexts is also discussed and recommendations for further research are made. (Author/EM)

Describes a new text analysis approach to automate the indexing process, i.e., an automated keywording system designed to behave as a human expert indexer, and explains the rule base of the approach, which consists of lists of insertion and deletion rules generated by subject matter experts. (32 references) (Author/SD)

Reviews the literature that examines new capabilities and new problems associated with online catalogs, online searching of bibliographic databases, indexing, full text retrieval, and expert systems. The need for research that focuses on individual needs and that adopts an integrated approach which views indexing and retrieval as interrelated…

Discusses the inclusion of expert systems in library and information science (LIS) education in such areas as library management, classification and indexing, and information retrieval. Emphasis is placed on involvement in developing areas such as programing and knowledge acquisition to create information professionals able to use the new…

The 16 articles in this theme issue focus on ways in which libraries provide subject access to their collections in a fast-changing technological environment: (1) "Uncovering Information" (Neal K. Kaske and Peter Paulson); (2) "The New York State Library's Evolving Public Access Catalog" (Alexandria Wolff and Jean Hargrave);…