The logic of different types of weighting are discussed, and experiments testing weighting schemes of these types are described. The results show that one type of weighting leads to material performance improvements in quite different collection environments. (22 references) (Author)

An experiment was conducted to design a corporate author index to a large bibliographic file. The nature of corporate entries necessitates a different search key construction from that of personal names or titles. Derivation of a search key to select distinct corporate entry records is discussed. (7 references) (Author)

A report of several comparisons designed to measure the retrieval effectiveness of machined-aided indexing and manual indexing. (Author)

The Text-Pac System is capable of generating indexes and bulletins to provide a current information service without the selectivity feature. Indexes of the accumulated data base may also be used as a basis for manual retrospective searching. The manual search involves searching computer-prepared indexes from a machine readable data base produced…

Describes MANIS, an information system for retrieval of interdisciplinary information in management, which maintains traditional classification but allows the user to combine terms of his choice, where choice is restricted to terms belonging to the systems of traditional classification. (CWM)

The four chapters included in this report are based on LINCS project activities undertaken since 1968, with an emphasis on indexing tools in the language sciences and related problems. Chapter one, "Indexing Tools for the Language Sciences: Methodology," discusses the development of a LINCS thesaurus and its role in the LINCS network.…

Describes a microcomputer-based string index format generated from concept networks using multiple search terms. Link weighting is highlighted as a method to decide which term appears first so the entry reflects the classification implied by the search specification. The computer software used for this system is briefly described. (Author/LRW)

Compares the user features of an in-house online search system based on automatic indexing with those of commercial search services, considering specific user types, file structure and applications, and the basic operating system environment. (FM)

Assesses the retrieval effectiveness of automatically constructed interdocument hypertext links in information retrieval (IR). Describes experiments using statistical and probabilistic techniques that were designed to obtain evidence concerning the usefulness of querying and browsing automatically constructed IR hypertexts. Results indicate a…

PRECIS, The Preserved Context Index System, is explained in detail. (AP)

Suggests ways to increase precision when searching full text files on BRS, Mead Data Central and DIALOG. All of the techniques are based on achieving repetition of central concepts as expressed in natural language. Schematic representations of strategies and sample searches on each of the three systems are provided. (10 references) (CLB)

Two computerized searching techniques each prove to be about 80 percent accurate, thus offering better assistance to reporters searching for background information in newspaper morgues than are currently available. (RB)

Based on a series of studies performed by ERIC/Information Resources staff and consultants which focused on the activities of over 40 experienced online searchers, this report offers the following suggestions for enhancing certain online retrieval system features and making improvements in ERIC vocabulary: (1) the implementation of an online…

Describes research designed to improve automatic pre-coordinate term indexing by applying language analysis techniques to identify term sources in requests, and to generate variant expressions of concepts involved for document text searching. Text analysis, term extraction, variant generation, and retrieval trial are highlighted. Thirteen…

Describes large scale experiments to test the value of index term weighting based on relevance information, and presents results showing that weighting leads to remarkable improvements in retrieval performance. (Author/CWM)