Social network analysis (SNA) is not a formal theory in sociology but rather a strategy for investigating social structures. As it is an idea that can be applied in many fields, we study, in partic...

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Social network analysis: a powerful strategy, also for the information sciences:

The relative ineffectiveness of information retrieval systems is largely caused by the inaccuracy with which a query formed by a few keywords models the actual user information need. One well known method to overcome this limitation is automatic query expansion (AQE), whereby the user’s original query is augmented by new features with a similar meaning. AQE has a long history in the information retrieval community but it is only in the last years that it has reached a level of scientific and experimental maturity, especially in laboratory settings such as TREC. This survey presents a unified view of a large number of recent approaches to AQE that leverage various data sources and employ very different principles and techniques. The following questions are addressed. Why is query expansion so important to improve search effectiveness? What are the main steps involved in the design and implementation of an AQE component? What approaches to AQE are available and how do they compare? Which issues must still be resolved before AQE becomes a standard component of large operational information retrieval systems (e.g., search engines)?

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A Survey of Automatic Query Expansion in Information Retrieval

This paper examines whether the Cranfield evaluation methodology is robust to gross violations of the completeness assumption (i.e., the assumption that all relevant documents within a test collection have been identified and are present in the collection). We show that current evaluation measures are not robust to substantially incomplete relevance judgments. A new measure is introduced that is both highly correlated with existing measures when complete judgments are available and more robust to incomplete judgment sets. This finding suggests that substantially larger or dynamic test collections built using current pooling practices should be viable laboratory tools, despite the fact that the relevance information will be incomplete and imperfect.

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Retrieval evaluation with incomplete information

A computer research tool for indexing, searching and displaying data is disclosed. Specifically, a computer research tool for performing computerized research of data including textual objects in a database or a network and for providing a user interface that significantly enhances data presentation is described. Textual objects and other data in a database or network is indexed by creating a numerical representation of the data. The indexing technique called proximity indexing generates a quick-reference of the relations, patterns and similarity found among the data in the database. Proximity indexing indexes the data by using statistical techniques and empirically developed algorithms. Using this proximity index, an efficient search for pools of data having a particular relation, pattern or characteristic can be effectuated. The Computer Search program, called the Computer Search Program for Data represented in Matrices (CSPDM), provides efficient computer search methods. The CSPDM rank orders data in accordance with the data's relationship to time, a paradigm datum, or any similar reference. An alternative embodiment of the invention employs a cluster link generation algorithm which uses links and nodes to index and search a database or network. The algorithm searches for direct and indirect links to a search node and retrieves the nodes which are most closely related to the search node. The user interface program, called the Graphical User Interface (GUI), provides a user friendly method of interacting with the CSPDM program and prepares and presents a visual graphical display. The graphical display provides the user with a two or three dimensional spatial orientation of the data.

Method and apparatus for indexing, searching and displaying data

Numbered undirected graphs are becoming an increasingly useful family of mathematical models for a broad range of applications. They have found usage in various coding theory problems, including the design of good radar-type codes, synch-set codes and convolutional codes with optimal autocorrelation properties. They facilitate the optimal nonstandard encodings of integers. They have also been applied to determining ambiguities in X-ray crystallographic analysis, to design of a communication network addressing system, to determination of optimal circuit layouts, and to problems in additive number theory. An attempt has been made to systematically present all of these diverse applications in a unifying framework and to indicate the existence of additional applications and to suggest directions for additional research.

Applications of numbered undirected graphs

We have been developing an adaptive method using genetic algorithms to modify user queries, based on relevance judgments. This algorithm was adapted for the Text Retrieval Conference (TREC). The method is shown to be applicable to large text collections, where more relevant documents are presented to users in the genetic modification. The algorithm also shows some interesting phenomena, such as parallel searching. Further studies are planned to adjust the system parameters to improve its effectiveness

Query improvement in information retrieval using genetic algorithms. A report on the experiments of the TREC project

σ-polynomials and graph coloring

Discrete computational structures

We describe a theoretical model and an on-going series of experiments aimed at a priori query enhancement The model presents a synthesis of concepts from retrospective and current awareness retrieval systems, employing the user profile as a factor in interpreting a query It is expected that this will provide a more personalized response to queries

Query enhancement by user profiles

One of the first input specifiers that a baby learns to use is a pointer, in the form of a finger or an outstretched arm. As any parent knows, the specification process involves two distinct parts: identifying what is wanted, and what is to be done with it. The former is largely a motor skill, while the latter task involves some linguistic ability.

Robert R. Korfhage

Papers

Query improvement in information retrieval using genetic algorithms. A report on the experiments of the TREC project

σ-polynomials and graph coloring

Discrete computational structures

Query enhancement by user profiles

Criteria for Iconic Languages