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Article
Publication date: 1 February 1993

BRIAN VICKERY and ALINA VICKERY

There is a huge amount of information and data stored in publicly available online databases that consist of large text files accessed by Boolean search techniques. It is widely…

Abstract

There is a huge amount of information and data stored in publicly available online databases that consist of large text files accessed by Boolean search techniques. It is widely held that less use is made of these databases than could or should be the case, and that one reason for this is that potential users find it difficult to identify which databases to search, to use the various command languages of the hosts and to construct the Boolean search statements required. This reasoning has stimulated a considerable amount of exploration and development work on the construction of search interfaces, to aid the inexperienced user to gain effective access to these databases. The aim of our paper is to review aspects of the design of such interfaces: to indicate the requirements that must be met if maximum aid is to be offered to the inexperienced searcher; to spell out the knowledge that must be incorporated in an interface if such aid is to be given; to describe some of the solutions that have been implemented in experimental and operational interfaces; and to discuss some of the problems encountered. The paper closes with an extensive bibliography of references relevant to online search aids, going well beyond the items explicitly mentioned in the text. An index to software appears after the bibliography at the end of the paper.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 49 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1978

Martha E. Williams

The present success of online retrieval is well known. The future is dependent on several factors including technological developments (computers, communications, terminals and…

Abstract

The present success of online retrieval is well known. The future is dependent on several factors including technological developments (computers, communications, terminals and storage), progress in information with science research, availability and use of funds for employing and coupling the available technology and the useful results of research, and finally the nontechnical exterior factors, such as political, psychological, legal and legislative constraints. Research is under way to pave the way for the development of transparent systems for retrieving references, facts and information contained in textual material. Such systems will greatly increase the useability of computer‐readable databases by professionals and laymen alike. Really significant changes will depend on research that progresses towards fact retrieval and ultimately towards knowledge retrieval.

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Online Review, vol. 2 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-314X

Article
Publication date: 1 September 1998

Cao Minh Kiem and Michael Middleton

A comparison was made between CDS/ISIS, its Windows version WINISIS, and InMagic’s INMAGIC and DB/TextWorks software. Packages were evaluated for their database creation…

479

Abstract

A comparison was made between CDS/ISIS, its Windows version WINISIS, and InMagic’s INMAGIC and DB/TextWorks software. Packages were evaluated for their database creation, information retrieval and report production capabilities. Windows versions were found to provide significant enhancements over DOS versions of software. The evaluation aimed to determine the advantages to a developing country of creating bibliographic databases using commercial software.

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Program, vol. 32 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0033-0337

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Article
Publication date: 1 January 1990

Alan F. Smeaton

Database management systems (DBMS) and information retrieval (IR) systems can both be used as online information systems but they differ in the type of data and the types of…

Abstract

Database management systems (DBMS) and information retrieval (IR) systems can both be used as online information systems but they differ in the type of data and the types of retrieval they provide for users. Many previous attempts have been made to couple DBMS and IR systems together, either by integrating the two into a unified framework, or by using a DBMS as an implementation tool for information retrieval functionality. This paper reports on some of these previous attempts and describes a system, retriev, which uses a DBMS to implement an IR system for teaching and research purposes. The implementation of retriev is described in detail and the effects that the current trends in database research will have on the relationship between DBMS and IR systems, are discussed.

Details

Program, vol. 24 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0033-0337

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2004

Roslina Othman and Nor Sahlawaty Halim

The aims of this study were to identify the retrieval features for online databases; difficulties faced by users; and retrieval features expected by users. A total of 25 databases

3601

Abstract

The aims of this study were to identify the retrieval features for online databases; difficulties faced by users; and retrieval features expected by users. A total of 25 databases were surveyed and 40 users were interviewed after the training sessions. Common retrieval features included Boolean operators, phrase searching, match of exact words or phrases, field specific and limit fields searches, truncation, and wildcard. Even though features are offered in many systems, their interpretation and implementation are different. Unique features included lateral searching, density and frequency of terms, reference link, and searching via table of content. The expected features included relevance feedback and term weighting other than those already offered by ACM Digital Library and IEEE Xplore. Such expectations were influenced by the users' background in ICT. Difficulties included application of the retrieval features in searching. Database providers must include the expected features, synonyms linked to terms in the thesaurus, and extensive search examples.

Details

Online Information Review, vol. 28 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1468-4527

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1985

C.R. Watters, M.A. Shepherd, E.W. Grundke and P. Bodorik

Although the Boolean combination of keywords and/or subject codes is the predominant access method for the retrieval of passages from full‐text databases, menu access is an…

Abstract

Although the Boolean combination of keywords and/or subject codes is the predominant access method for the retrieval of passages from full‐text databases, menu access is an attractive alternative. The selection of an access method and the ensuing satisfaction with the results is based on the type of query and on the experience and knowledge of the user. This paper describes a prototype system which has integrated Boolean, menu, and direct access methods for the retrieval of passages from full‐text databases. The integration is based on the hierarchical structure inherent in such databases as legal statutes and regulations and engineering standards. The user may switch freely among access methods in order to develop the most appropriate search strategy. The retrieved passages are presented to the user within the context of the hierarchical structure.

Details

Online Review, vol. 9 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-314X

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1989

J. Mackerle

Information is the most valuable but least valued tool the scientist/engineer has. The computer program developments based on the finite element and boundary element techniques is…

Abstract

Information is the most valuable but least valued tool the scientist/engineer has. The computer program developments based on the finite element and boundary element techniques is now receiving considerable attention of the engineering community. The same is valid for their satellite programs such as pre‐ and post‐processors. Recently also expert systems are being developed in the field of structural mechanics. There are thousands of different programs in use and new ones are continuously being developed. Output of related literature on the finite element (FE) and boundary element (BE) technology has grown at a prodigious rate in the last two decades. An effective retrieval of information is necessary, but this is impossible without computer assistance. MAKEBASE is a special purpose, menu‐driven database which stores all types of information listed above. The development of this database was started five years ago. Today, MAKEBASE contains information about 1600 different FE/BE programs and more than 30,000 literature references. It is updated on a daily basis. MAKEBASE is implemented on VAX 11/780 (VMS), Apollo workstations, and different subjects of literature references have also been transferred into the microcomputer environment for individual PC databases. This paper describes the latest version of MAKEBASE and outlines the philosophy for the use of individual, special‐tailored micro‐databases for PCs.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 6 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2000

Ali Asghar Shiri and Crawford Revie

This article provides an overview of recent developments relating to the application of thesauri in information organisation and retrieval on the World Wide Web. It describes some…

2201

Abstract

This article provides an overview of recent developments relating to the application of thesauri in information organisation and retrieval on the World Wide Web. It describes some recent thesaurus projects undertaken to facilitate resource description and discovery and access to wide‐ranging information resources on the Internet. Types of thesauri available on the Web, thesauri integrated in databases and information retrieval systems, and multiple‐thesaurus systems for cross‐database searching are also discussed. Collective efforts and events in addressing the standardisation and novel applications of thesauri are briefly reviewed.

Details

Online Information Review, vol. 24 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1468-4527

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1999

Lorcan Dempsey, Rosemary Russell and Robin Murray

The management of autonomous, heterogeneous network resources and services provides new challenges which libraries are now addressing. This paper outlines an approach based on the…

Abstract

The management of autonomous, heterogeneous network resources and services provides new challenges which libraries are now addressing. This paper outlines an approach based on the construction of broker services which mediate access to resources. It outlines a framework – the MODELS Information Architecture – for thinking about the components of broker services and their logical arrangement. It describes several development projects and services which show how brokers are developing. It uses examples drawn from the serials environment to describe some of the issues. Technologists understand that they must build more stable and unobtrusive media. They must establish more coherent contexts into which the technology may disappear.

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Journal of Documentation, vol. 55 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1992

Annelise Mark Pejtersen

The Book House is an interactive, multimedia, online public access catalogue designed to support casual, novice users in information retrieval. It uses icons, text and animation…

Abstract

The Book House is an interactive, multimedia, online public access catalogue designed to support casual, novice users in information retrieval. It uses icons, text and animation in the display interface in order to enhance the utility of the system. A prerequisite for the design of The Book House was a cognitive analysis of users' information needs and search queries. The paper describes The Book House and discusses its relevance as a solution to the current OPAC developments.

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The Electronic Library, vol. 10 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

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