Investigates techniques for automatic coding of English language strings which involve titles drawn from bibliographic files, but do not require prior knowledge of source. Coding methods (basic, maximum entropy principle), results of test using 6,260 titles from British National Bibliography, and variations in code element ordering are…

Frequently it is useful to abbreviate or otherwise transform keys used for information retrieval. Given a transformation algorithm and data to be transformed, certain qualities of the algorithm relating to retrieval problems can be characterized. This paper gives some measures of effectiveness of such transformation algorithms. (11 references)…

Proof is given of the equivalence of Boolean and weighted search methods. (Author)

Describes several aspects of the problem of supporting information retrieval system query requirements in the relational database management system (RDBMS) environment and proposes an extension to query processing called nonmaterialized relations. User interactions with information retrieval systems are discussed, and nonmaterialized relations are…

Several problems of finding keys in directories are considered. Methods of searching ordered and unordered directories are analyzed. Searching on ranges of key values in also considered. Finally, design tradeoffs among the classes of directory and searching strategies are developed. (4 references) (Author/SJ)

The chains of search terms generated in the course of subject searches of a university library card catalog are investigated. (2 references) (SJ)

In experimental searches of "Basic Journal Abstracts" using the subject terms from 104 selective dissemination of information profiles, retrieval was found to be significantly worse if only titles were searched rather than the full title and abstract. (PF)

The operational retrospective retrieval service offered by BIOSIS exploits a file created essentially without vocabulary control. A pragmatic program of file building criteria has been persued which has provided improved retrieval and an annual summary of the vocabulary of the literature. (11 references) (Author/KE)

The results of running nine chemistry searches on SDC, BRS, and LRS indicated performance was not markedly different for general subject searches, but costs varied. (Author)

Describes the use of machine-readable output from online searches in the compilation of large bibliographies, including the aspects of search mechanics, processing, and data duplication. Eight references are cited. (FM)

Discusses the use of Boolean logic in information-retrieval systems and analyzes existing criticisms of operational systems. Considers users' ability to use and understand Boolean operators, ranking, the quality of query formulations, and negative effects of criticism; and concludes that criticism is directed at the methodology employed in…

Discussion of the growth of institutional image collections focuses on the development of a visual thesaurus to provide access to the photographic archive of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Addresses specific access problems, including the accurate and rapid description of images entering collections, and searching…

This experiment searches an online library catalog employing author surnames, plus one or two title words of books in citations of eight scholarly works whose authors selected the title words as being recallable. Results of searches yielded a single-screen miniature catalog (minicat) 99% of the time. (Author/LRW)

Investigated the relative merits of searching on titles, subject headings, abstracts, free-language terms, and combinations of these elements. The combination of titles and abstracts came the closest to 100 percent retrieval. (Author/PF)

Proposes that the development of document-retrieval systems can benefit from the incorporation of conceptual modeling techniques, specifically classification, aggregation, and generalization. An array model is presented which has been designed especially for document retrieval. (Author/EM)