The TSS (Topological Screens System) for substructure search was applied to the CAS Registry file making it searchable on-line. The TSS screens and the use of the screen indexes are described. Statistics on screen assignment are provided, and the strengths and weaknesses of the system are discussed. (Author/NH)

It is hoped that in its role as a conversational programming language for the layman who wants to learn about text analysis, SCAN will fill a gap in the range of available programming tools. (MB)

Query forms used in library information systems are expressed in a generalized notation. Three relations, the FIELD, the inverse FIELD and the RECORD, are defined to express file access operations in known-item and subject searches, browsing, clustering operations, and truncation and word proximity searching. Eighteen references are cited. (EJS)

Discusses use of associative search techniques and theoretical approaches to document retrieval problems contrasting two different ways of improving system performance: appending associative search techniques to conventional document retrieval systems and designing document retrieval systems based on probabilistic design principles. Four…

Proposes algorithmic method of searching and presents experimental data testing efficacy of using Boolean negation to eliminate redundancy and reduce cognitive strain of communication barrier at human-computer interface. Cognitive information processes, concept of Boolean NOT, and problem-solving behavior are explored. Twenty-five references are…

This review of research on subject searching in library catalogs includes a summary of research findings, reasons for search failures, free text versus controlled vocabulary searching, and studies of users' needs. Suggestions for future action to improve subject access in the online catalog are noted. A 52-item bibliography is included. (EJS)

The concept of Thai soundex system for name search as method of information retrieval is developed and evaluated by extending and modifying Odell and Russell soundex system to fit specific characteristics of Thai language. Thai consonants, letter codes, and evaluation of system in name file of 61,215 records are highlighted. (EJS)

Presents uniform and efficient approach for processing all truncated query terms in information retrieval which requires one disk access to obtain from the permuted dictionary all strings represented by truncated term. The problem of the overhead storage required to implement the permuted dictionary is discussed. Fifteen references are provided.…

Presents and discusses the results of research into similarity measures for search request formulations which employ Boolean combinations of index terms. The use of a weighting mechanism to indicate the importance of attributes in a search formulation is described. A 16-item reference list is included. (JL)

Discusses advantages and disadvantages of online availability of computerized versions of encyclopedias and notes works currently and soon to be online, searching strategies (subject headings and full-text), cost effectiveness, and librarian skepticism. (EJS)

Discussion of online interactive search systems focuses on developments in the area over the past decade, the possibility of the end user undertaking online searching for him/herself, the changing role of the information scientist, implications for the information manager, and electronic publishing. Eight references are included. (EJS)

These planning and evaluative guidelines for online trainers utilize a sliding scale--from minimal to suggested to optimal--for five types of training sessions: (1) Search Service--Beginning; (2) Search Service--Advanced; (3) Search Service--Subject; (4) Database Producer; and (5) Independent Introductory Workshop. (RAA)

Describes an indexing technique based on overlapping word fragments as reference strings that are linked in a directed graph structure which makes possible exact match-, partial match-, and masked-partial match-retrieval and indicates search strategies for each case. Eight figures, two tables, and nine references are provided. (RBF)

Describes services offered by the Educational Resources Information Center Clearinghouse on Tests, Measurement, and Evaluation (ERIC/TM) in the area of minimum competency testing; identifies the ERIC descriptors to use when searching documents on that subject; notes relevant services offered by other ERIC clearinghouses; and lists some applicable…

Retrieval experiments with the Cranfield collection of 1,400 documents used strategies based on a probabilistic model for an initial search and intermediate search when no relevant documents were known. Results show initial strategy is better than conventional strategies in retrieval effectiveness and number of queries needed to retrieve…