The use of information retrieval (IR) systems is evolving towards larger, more complicated queries. Both the IR industrial and research communities have generated significant evidence indicating that in order to continue improving retrieval effectiveness, increases in retrieval model complexity may be unavoidable. From an operational perspective,…

For the past several years academic libraries have been adopting discovery systems to provide a search experience that reflects user expectations and improves access to electronic resources. University of Houston Libraries has kept pace with this evolving trend by pursuing various discovery options; these include an open-source tool, a federated…

Purpose: The paper aims to assess the utility of non-agriculture-specific information systems, databases, and respective controlled vocabularies (thesauri) in organising and retrieving agricultural information. The purpose is to identify thesaurus-linked tree structures, controlled subject headings/terms (heading words, descriptors), and principal…

This article examines how finding aids are structured and delivered, considering alternative approaches. It suggests that single-level displays, those that present a single component of a multilevel description to users at a time, have the potential to transform the delivery and display of collection information while improving the user…

In this paper, we propose a syntax-based text retrieval system for on-line language learning and use a fast regular expression search engine as its main component. Regular expression searches provide more scalable querying and search results than keyword-based searches. However, without a well-designed index scheme, the execution time of regular…

Introduction: This study investigated the effect of cognitive styles on users' information-seeking task performance using a knowledge domain information visualization system called CiteSpace. Method: Sixteen graduate students participated in a user experiment. Each completed an extended cognitive style analysis wholistic-analytic test (the…

Information systems increasingly provide options for visually inspecting data during the process of information discovery and exploration. Little research has dealt so far with user interactions with these systems, and specifically with the effects of characteristics of the displayed data and the user on performance with such systems. The study…

A prototype of an interactive, conversational mass spectral search system, developed at the National Institutes of Health, has been tested since September 1971 and is now being used by more than 200 scientists in the U.S. and Canada, and will soon be used by the international mass spectrometry community. (17 references) (SJ)

Reports on an evaluation of the construction of selective dissemination of information profiles for the International Nuclear Information System (INIS) in South Africa. (PF)

Intended to teach the principles of interactive bibliographic searching to those with little or no prior experience, this textbook explains the basic elements of online information retrieval and compares the major database search systems. Its chapters address (1) relevant definitions and vocabulary; (2) the conceptual facets of database searching,…

This abridged adaptation from the BRS System Reference Manual identifies and briefly explains the meanings and functions of the logical operators used to retrieve information from the BRS system. (FM)

Explores the possibility of combining the two principles of ranking according to degree of relevance, and ranking according to probability of relevance, for information retrieval systems, but concludes that, while neither is adequate alone, no single, all-embracing ranking principle can be constructed to replace the two. (Author/VT)

The inverse relationship of recall and precision is not a fundamental law. It must not be used as an excuse for failing to bring about any overall improvement in the performance of information retrieval systems (12 references) (Author/NH)

The simulation model described is used as a tool for designing and evaluating literature search systems. The simulation program creates a well specified collection of documents and analyzes the effect of charges in query file characteristics on system output performance. (14 references) (Author/KE)

Millennial students make up a large portion of undergraduate students attending colleges and universities, and they have a variety of online resources available to them to complete academically related information searches, primarily Web based and library-based online information retrieval systems. The content, ease of use, and required search…