Tests performed on 6,260 titles from 3 machine-readable British National Bibliography files using an entropy based technique for abbreviation of text strings for use as a control code found that more than 94 percent of the titles generated a unique seven character code. Six references and an illustrative example are appended. (EJS)

This working paper from the American National Standards Committee Z-39, Subcommittee G on Standard Terms, Abbreviations and Symbols for Use in Interactive Information Retrieval discusses the issue of standardization for command languages used in interactive online searching of bibliographic databases. (EJS)

To provide the health scientist with information when and where it is needed is an age-old problem. The impediments to its solution are intellectual, not technical or technological. (Author/SK)

Discusses several query-processing methods designed to allow the use of relevance weights or thresholds attached to terms and compares them with normal Boolean rules and fuzzy subset theory. Forty-five references are listed. (FM)

This fourth update to the bibliography that was published as a supplement to the first issue of "Online Review" contains 441 references covering the period from mid-1979 to mid-1980. Permuted title (KWIC) and author indexes are included. (Author/FM)

Extends Goffman's Indirect Method of Information Retrieval by suggesting a more flexible search strategy which, in its simplified version, appears more effective than the Boolean strategy used in existing information retrieval systems and can be implemented at comparable costs. (Author)

Online search is defined and search types established in an attempt to standardize terminology. Recommended definitions are included. (RAA)

After an historical and theoretical introduction, options for exploring an alternative LC class number for bibliographies, and problems that may arise are explored. LC now provides a general works number for most bibliographies it catalogs. The alternative number suggests a more representative classification which may increase retrieval.…

Emphasizes the importance of a good indexing program for school newspaper columns. (HOD)

Discusses content-based image retrieval systems that effectively utilize information from image databases, and provides a taxonomy for approaches to image retrieval. Highlights include image retrieval architecture that supports query operators; conceptual issues; and two application prototypes. (100 references) (Author/LRW)

Expands on existing concepts and notions regarding hypertext-based information retrieval. Topics include document characterization; characterization networks; query by navigation; navigation networks; and adding new links to the characterization networks with information about semantic relations. (LRW)

Genetic algorithms, a class of nondeterministic algorithms in which the role of chance makes the precise nature of a solution impossible to guarantee, seem to be well suited to combinatorial-optimization problems in information retrieval. Provides an introduction to techniques and characteristics of genetic algorithms and illustrates their…

Discussion of information filtering in information retrieval systems introduces a method for defining filters for structured text where the text structure is originally defined by a grammar consisting of a set of productions. Use of a template that is created interactively from the grammar is explained, and a prototype implementation is described.…

Describes in detail the practice of information retrieval within business organizations based on 46 interviews. Highlights include the importance of text to the performance of information work rather than technical aspects of retrieval; information management; and information retrieval problems in organizations. (LRW)