Analyzes the nature of Boolean information retrieval in relation to the discrete weights of query terms, examines assigned weights from an approach involving thresholds, and generates an evaluation mechanism which allows the user to attach a threshold to the query term. Thirteen references are listed. (FM)

Introduces a new model of viewing documents based on citing-cited relationship between them. Using Bayes' decision theory, it is shown how source document may be indexed and weighted by relevant cited document features, corresponding to one pass relevance feedback Model 1 (probabilistic indexing) or Model 2 (probabilistic retrieval). (24…

Use of syntactic trace as an access strategy for large files containing arbitrary languages for which thesaurus-based and multiple attribute search techniques are unsuitable. (LS)

The mathematical model proposed describes a computerized bibliographic information system which includes a method--document learning--of improving the set of index terms assigned to a document representative. Inputs to the information system (index terms and query), relevance feedback, and assumptions concerning the model are discussed.…

A model of word occurrences in documents is presented in the context of a model information system. (Author/PF)

Presents an analytical approach to the interpretation of weighted Boolean queries. By distinguishing query term weights from query weights, a query becomes a means of describing classes of ideal documents and expressing relativity criteria among these descriptions. A formalization of query term weights is given in a fuzzy set theoretical context.…

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…

An analysis of the question of the optimal depth of indexing in order to design an effective document retrieval system is presented. It is shown that some more fundamental questions about indexing and retrieval rather than indexing depth are central to the issue. (Author/MBR)

Proposes a new conceptual basis for visualizing the organization of information, or knowledge, which differentiates between the concept "vectors" for a field of knowledge represented in a multidimensional space, and the state "vectors" for a person based on his understanding of these concepts, and the representational…

The IR systems are faced with a need to manage fuzziness and not merely to react to fuzziness. Fuzzy set theory can be used to model the indexing and retrieval processes. (BD)

Highlights semantic links and shows how the semantic content of hypertext links can be used for information retrieval. Discussion includes indexing and retrieval algorithms that exploit link content and node content; retrieval strategies exploiting semantic links, including conventional retrieval and constrained spreading activation techniques;…

This report explains the following mathematical techniques which may be used for relating search requests to documents contained in a library: (1) Boolean Algebraic Retrieval, (2) Linear Statistical Retrieval, (3) Statistical Association Techniques for expanding a query and/or for expanding the set of retrieval documents, (4) Vector Space…

Efficient search of items in a store of information, such as books in a library, abstracts of articles, information in a computer data bank or the like, requires that the items most closely connected in content be close together, in order that a person looking for some particular information may concentrate his search on as small a part of the…

The objectives of this research were to investigage (1) the feasibility of an index simulator, and (2) the use of a sequential analysis model for the automatic classification of documents. Index simulation was studied in general for various types of indexes, and in depth for the simulation of an inverted coordinate index to a document collection…

Discusses methods of weighting of descriptors in document search patterns together with the concept of relative indexing and conditions which should be satisfied by descriptor weight. A procedure for modifiying document search patterns based on users' informational needs and opinions is outlined, and examples are given. Sixteen references are…