Experience of browsing with a text retrieval system is reported. The technique discussed consists of adding and deleting query terms on successive interactive cycles. The number of hits consistently increased, while the number of false drops consistently decreased on successive cycles. The search system used allows non-Boolean free form query…

The study compares the retrieval effectiveness of two alternative input and search systems in terms of such measures as recall, fallout, precision, and total retrieval. One system uses manually indexed document files searched by controlled vocabulary, while the other employs fulltext input using natural language searching. Both systems are applied…

Introduced are methods for computation of term-term association factors, indexing, assignment of term-document relevance values, and computation for recall and relevance. Recall and relevance are based on quantitative intenal system computations, and results are compared with user evaluations. (Author/MF)

Describes a model of an information retrieval system based on a thesaurus with weights. Appropriate terms are defined, and inclusiveness and two other fundamental properties of the system are presented. (CWM)

An evaluation of graph theoretical clusters of index terms which can be extracted from an automatically indexed document collection, and the effects of employing such clusters in automatic document retrieval are described. (19 references) (Author)

Some problems encountered with the ERIC indexing system in efforts to retrieve information from the ERIC files are discussed. (4 references) (Author/NH)

Reports on axiomatic approach to systems design that has emanated from documentation work in field of chemistry and closely related disciplines. It is based on five axioms: definability, order, sufficient degree of order, representational predictability, and representational fidelity. Mandatory indexing is discussed; a glossary is appended. (106…

Presents decision-theoretic models which intrinsically include retrieval of multiple documents whereby system responds to request by presenting documents to patron in sequence, gathering feedback, and using information to modify future retrievals. Document independence model, set retrieval model, sequential retrieval model, learning model,…

Presents information retrieval design approach in which queries of computer-based system consist of sets of terms, either unweighted or weighted with subjective term precision estimates, and retrieval outputs ranked by probability of usefulness estimated by "maximum entropy principle." Boolean and weighted request systems are discussed.…

A single issue of Nuclear Science Abstracts, containing about 2,300 abstracts, was indexed by Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) using the Special Subject Edition of UDC for Nuclear Science and Technology. The descriptive cataloging and UDC-indexing records formed a computer-stored data base. A systematic random sample of 500 additional…

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.…

Vector representations of information items and requests used as a basis for a discussion of knowledge and information spaces. (Author)

A study was conducted to determine the most effective way to organize the data that are being accumulated by the European Documentation and Information System for Education (EUDISED). The study considered types of information services and search facilities which might be used to access the EUDISED data base. Indexing systems were examined and…

Three specific contributions to the field of information retrieval are presented. The first two describe the establishment of an adaptive, interactive man-machine dialogue that produces a form of unsolicited librarian-like assistance for the user in his selection of index terms to characterize an indexing function. The data set upon which the…

The author emphasized that one cannot conclude from the experiments reported upon that term clusters (or equivalently, keyword classifications or thesauruses) are not useful in retrieval. (2 references) (Author)