Proposes an uncertainty principle for information seeking based on the results of a series of studies that investigated the user's perspective of the information search process. Constructivist theory is discussed as a conceptual framework for studying the user's perspective, and areas for further research are suggested. (Contains 44 references.)…

Presents the list-structure data model for dealing with sets of objects, which has ordering as its fundamental principle. An extended notion of patterns and several operators of the algebra are presented. Design issues that influenced the development of the language are described. (Contains 30 references.) (KRN)

Describes textual database queries in the humanities based on poststructuralist theories and experiences with the ARTFL (American and French Research on the Treasury of the French Language) database. The use of computers for literary research and text interpretation and analysis is considered. (Contains nine references.) (LRW)

Discussion of the failure of individual keywords to identify conceptual content of documents in retrieval systems highlights Metric Similarity Modeling, a method for creating vector space representation of documents based on modeling target interdocument similarity values. Semantic relatedness, latent semantic indexing, an indexing and retrieval…

Considers the consistency in selection of search concepts and search terms carried out by human intermediaries in online bibliographic retrieval. Degree of consistency is calculated on the basis of search terms and concepts both for one individual over time and by comparing the performance of several individuals on one request. (JKP)

Presents four considerations in the development of a gopher server: organization, promotion, training, and maintenance. Economic issues such as development and maintenance costs relating to staff and equipment are also discussed. Benefits from the development of a gopher include access to external information resources and enhanced access to local…

This progress report presents findings from a failure analysis of two full-text computer-assisted legal research systems, Lexis and Westlaw. Linguistic analyses of unretrieved documents and false drops are discussed, and examples of natural language phenomena that affect Boolean retrieval system performance are examined. (Author/LRW)

Examines the retrieval effectiveness of five hierarchical clustering methods (single link, complete link, group average, Ward's method, and weighted average) as a function of indexing exhaustivity with four test collections. Evaluations of retrieval effectiveness are based on three measures of optimal retrieval performance. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of local area networks and multiple file servers for concurrent information retrievals provides a rationale for workload and data allocation and presents an analytical model which will attain effective allocation policies. Nonlinear integer programming is discussed, and computational results show the effectiveness of the heuristic.…

Explores the role of paradigms in information retrieval research and discusses the nature of a paradigm and the applicability of the paradigm concept to a multidisciplinary field such as information science. The features of the physical paradigm and the cognitive paradigm are outlined, and their origins, nature, and role are examined. (55…

Discusses the basic principles of the application of microfilm (analog) and electronic (digital) technologies for data storage. Image quality is examined, searching and retrieval capabilities are considered, and hardcopy output resolution is described. It is concluded that microfilm is still the preferred archival medium. (5 references) (LRW)

The objective reality (syntax) of the written text should be interpreted (semantically and pragmatically) in an intersubjective manner with regard to the context, the analyst's knowledge base, and the documentary objectives. The contributions of semiolinguistics (textual), logic (formal) and psychology (cognitive) are fundamental to the conduct of…

Discusses how to make better indexes for online documentation. (SR)

Notes that advances in new technologies and uses of databases have expanded the definition of publics and increased the ability to target messages to narrower and narrower ranges of publics. Explores the implications of these developments for the public relations profession. (RS)

Discussion of information retrieval as a process of communication focuses on the concept of symbolic interaction. Topics addressed include communication, interaction, and information retrieval; information retrieval as symbolic interaction and as social interaction; and examples from a study of the information behavior of humanities scholars at…