This document is a study of the processing of questions input to computerized question-answering system such as the RAND Relational Data File. The process consists of (1)transforming the natural-language question into a symbolic question (i.e., a certain formula of predicate calculus) and (2)generating the answer by calculating the value set of…

This report presents the principal objectives and results of the Context Information Processing Project and discusses the nature of context and its relationship to conventional models of information storage and retrieval. In this approach literature searching involves prediction, and context represents a new class of clues to be obtained and…

This report, resulting from the Context Information Processing Project, is a review of request language and search logic in its present state with the purpose of relating these findings to the design of QUERY (the language described in LI 001 652) and to context information processing needs. A basic assumption is that an information retrieval…

Sixth in a series of eight reports of a research study for the National Agricultural Library (NAL) on the effective utilization of bibliographic data bases in machine-readable form, this report deals with the query language, search strategy and related considerations for a particular information storage and retrieval system. One section of the…

A symposium with four major presentations centering on the topic of computer-based information retrieval. Also highlighted are several features of the Wisconsin Information System for Education (WISE-ONE) and the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) system. The first paper in the series discusses the development, current capabilities…

Sorting things into groups is a basic intellectual task that allows people to simplify with minimal reduction in information. Classification techniques, which include both clustering and discrimination, provide step-by-step computer-based procedures for sorting things based on notions of generalized similarity and on the "class description"…

Part Three of this five part report on Salton's Magical Automatic Retriever of Texts (SMART) project contains four papers. The first: "Variations on the Query Splitting Technique with Relevance Feedback" by T. P. Baker discusses some experiments in relevance feedback performed with variations on the technique of query splitting. The…

Two papers are included as Part Four of this report on Salton's Magical Automatic Retriever of Texts (SMART) project report. The first paper: "A Controlled Single Pass Classification Algorithm with Application to Multilevel Clustering" by D. B. Johnson and J. M. Laferente presents a single pass clustering method which compares favorably…

The Maryland Refutation Proof Procedure System (MRPPS) is an interactive experimental system intended for studying deductive search methods. Although the work is oriented towards question-answering, MRPPS provides a general problem solving capability. There are three major components within MRPPS. These are: (1) an inference system, (2) a search…

Describes an instructional model for teaching the optimization of search strategies based on a small group of related reference tools. (PF)

Describes two factors affecting the results of manual and online information retrieval: the manner by which classification codes and key words are chosen, and the degree to which papers with comparable contents are accorded similar keywords. Of 14 alternative search strategies selected, the best consisted of using classification codes coupled with…

Describes a systematic approach to the design of fixed-length, derived, truncated search keys for corporate author records; and a statistical method for predicting the performance of search keys for files of arbitrary size. (VT)

The effect of the ortographic structure of the stimulus field on the visual search performance of third and sixth graders and adults was examined in three experiments. (BD)

Estimates of frequency of spelling errors are made based on a sample of 3,600 index terms drawn from 11 bibliographic data bases. The impact of these errors is discussed by tape supplier, tape user, and end user; with some suggestions for search strategies.

Provides overview of Ergonomics Abstracts Retrieval System (EARS), an online bibliographic search and retrieval system in the area of human factors engineering. Other online systems are described, the design of EARS based on inverted file organization is explained, and system expansions including a thesaurus are discussed. (Author/LRW)