Several algorithms were investigated which would allow a user to interact with an automatic document retrieval system by requesting relevance judgments on selected sets of documents. Two viewpoints were taken in evaluation. One measured the movement of queries toward the optimum query as defined by Rocchio; the other measured the retrieval…

The core of this software package for information retrieval is a new language called Information Search Language (ISL). It was developed to facilitate the manipulation of real character strings in an interactive environment. The discussion of the ISL language and some of its characteristics is followed by a description of two application programs,…

A summary analysis is made of problems encountered by retrieval staffs in three states during the initial year of the Pilot State Project in Information Dissemination. Problems discussed are: (1) Computer Related; (2) Furnishing the client with complete copy; (3) Record keeping and Filing; and (4) Staffing. Recommendations resulting from the…

A THESAURUS OF EDUCATIONAL TERMS WAS PRODUCED TO PROVIDE A TERMINOLOGY BASE WHICH WOULD BE AMENABLE TO RAPID AND EASY MODIFICATION AND UPDATING. THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF TERMS WAS A SEMANTIC CODE DICTIONARY, PREVIOUSLY CREATED DURING THE INDEXING OF SOME 6,500 EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH DOCUMENTS. A FACETED STRUCTURE WAS CREATED. THE DISPLAY CONSISTED OF…

Extensions are required to the currently operational INGRES data base system for it to manage a data base distributed over multiple machines in a computer network running the UNIX operating system. Three possible user views include: (1) each relation in a unique machine, (2) a user interaction with the data base which can only span relations at a…

Four advantages of storing and retrieving geometric figures and chromosome images through the use of shape-oriented similarity measures are presented. (Author)

These two indexing systems are briefly described and experimental evidence is cited showing that a combination of both theories produces better retrieval performance than either one alone. Appropriate conclusions are reached concerning viable automatic indexing procedures usable in practice. (Author)

A suite of computer programs has been developed for representing the full text of lengthy documents in vector form and classifying them by a clustering method. (Author)

Representatives from three companies (Management Contents, ABI/INFORM, Predicasts) explain the coverage, content, thesauri, updating, products, and capabilities of their data bases. A panel of librarians from (1) a special library, (2) an academic library, and (3) a public library report on the use of business data bases in their respective…

An explanation of the federal government's Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) and how it relates to commercial business publications commonly used as tools by the reference librarian. (JAB)

It is proposed that the conversational language used in interactive retrieval systems should become standard, at least as far as the technical terms and symbols used by the user are concerned. If that effort is successful, a standards efforts in the area of a code of practice or recommended methods for operation could be developed. (Author)

The need for a system that would indicate the interrelationships of materials on a specific topic and provide quick access to multimedia materials for students is discussed. (JAB)

This paper discusses patent information retrieval from online files in terms of types of questions, file contents, coverage, timeliness, and other file variations. CLAIMS, Derwent, WPI, APIPAT and Chemical Abstracts Service are described. (KP)

Citing examples, this article asserts that the Bureau of Indian Affairs restricts access to historical records and that its personnel in the Records Research Office are not trained as historians or archivists but as clerk typists. (JC)

Describes search tactics useful for online searching and how to use them, and identifies the points in a search at which they are most useful. An extended example shows how all the tactics may be used in an online search. (EM)