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)

Formal proofs are given of the effectiveness under well-defined conditions of the thesaurus method in information retrieval. It is shown, in particular, that when certain semantically related terms are added to the information queries originally submitted by the user population, a superior retrieval system is obtained in the sense that for every…

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)

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,…

Describes a new method for automatic indexing and retrieval called latent semantic indexing (LSI). Problems with matching query words with document words in term-based information retrieval systems are discussed, semantic structure is examined, singular value decomposition (SVD) is explained, and the mathematics underlying the SVD model is…

Examines through a series of mathematical models (theorems, descriptions, and examples), properties and operations on inverted files, which are used in an information retrieval system based on thesaurus with weighted descriptors. (CWM)

Analyzes the use of weights to denote a query representation and/or the indexing of a document as a generalization of a Boolean retrieval system. Criteria are given for the functions used to evaluate the relevance of the records to a specific query and a new evaluation approach is suggested. (CWM)

Presents a new method of document retrieval based on the fundamental operations of fuzzy set theory. Basic notions are introduced. Then the syntax and semantics of the proposed language for document retrieval is given, and an algorithm allocating documents to particular queries is described and its properties are discussed. (Author/CWM)

Discusses the motivation for integrating information retrieval and database management systems, and proposes a probabilistic retrieval model in which records in a file may be composed of attributes (formatted data items) and descriptors (content indicators). The details and resolutions of difficulties involved in integrating such systems are…

Describes an iterative method of document retrieval similar to relevance feedback in that user feedback is utilized in subsequent iterations. However, this method compares retrieved documents with each other using algebraic formulae which determine the boundaries of the area that contains descriptions of relevant documents. Fifteen references are…

Summarizes the experimental evidence that indicates that text indexing systems based on the assignment of appropriately weighted single terms produce retrieval results superior to those obtained with more elaborate text representations, and provides baseline single term indexing models with which more elaborate content analysis procedures can be…

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.…

Proposes an information retrieval model in which documents are characterized by a simple probability measure on the set of index terms, and describes two retrieval strategies, one based on utility theory and the other on information theory. The discussion covers experimental findings of retrieval effectiveness and insights into fundamental…

Investigates the properties of a global model consisting of "n" local information retrieval systems based on thesaurus. Definitions of a distributed information retrieval system (thesaurus, documents set, set of queries) and proofs of theorems denoting further properties of the systems are highlighted. Five references are included. (EJS)

Presents and discusses the results of research into similarity measures for search request formulations which employ Boolean combinations of index terms. The use of a weighting mechanism to indicate the importance of attributes in a search formulation is described. A 16-item reference list is included. (JL)