Showing papers in "Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology in 1991"
TL;DR: A model of the information search process is presented derived from a series of five studies investigating common experiences of users in information seeking situations, suggesting a gap between the users’ natural process of information use and the information system and intermediaries’ traditional patterns of information provision.
Abstract: The article discusses the users’ perspective of information seeking. A model of the information search process is presented derived from a series of five studies investigating common experiences of users in information seeking situations. The cognitive and affective aspects of the process of information seeking suggest a gap between the users’ natural process of information use and the information system and intermediaries’ traditional patterns of information provision.
2,062 citations
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TL;DR: These three meanings of “ information” offer a basis for classifying disparate information‐related activities (e.g., rhetoric, bibliographic retrieval, statistical analysis) and, thereby, suggest a topography for “information science.”
Abstract: Three meanings of “information” are distinguished: “Information-as-process”; “information-as-knowledge”; and “information-as-thing,” the attributive use of “information” to denote things regarded as informative. The nature and characteristics of “information-as-thing” are discussed, using an indirect approach (“What things are informative?”). Varieties of “information-as-thing” include data, text, documents, objects, and events. On this view “information” includes but extends beyond communication. Whatever information storage and retrieval systems store and retrieve is necessarily “information-as-thing.”
These three meanings of “information,” along with “information processing,” offer a basis for classifying disparate information-related activities (e.g., rhetoric, bibliographic retrieval, statistical analysis) and, thereby, suggest a topography for “information science.” © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
991 citations
TL;DR: Three measures were selected which evaluate performance at given rank cutoff points, such as those cor- responding to a screenful of document titles,such as those responding to the lists of the top ranked documents.
Abstract: s and titles from the Cranfield collection (with 225 queries and 1400 documents), comprised the major test collection for this study. The Medlars collection (30 queries and 1033 documents), and the CACM collec- tion (64 queries and 3204 documents) were used to provide information about the variation of stemming performance across different subject areas and test collections. In addition to the standard recall/precision measures, with SMART system averaging (Salton, 1971), several methods more suited to an interactive retrieval environ- ment were adopted. The interactive environment returns lists of the top ranked documents, and allows the users to scan titles of a group of documents a screenful at a time, so that the ranking of individual documents within the screenful is not as important as the total number of rele- vant titles within a screen. Furthermore, the number of relevant documents in the first few screens is far more im- portant for the user than the number of relevant in the last screenfuls. Three measures were selected which evaluate performance at given rank cutoff points, such as those cor- responding to a screenful of document titles. The first measure, the
357 citations
TL;DR: Empirical support is found for the claim that co-citation analysis identifies indeed subject-matter specialties of scientific research in a given period, however, different clusters may identify the same specialty, and results are far from complete concerning the identified “current work.”
Abstract: The claim that co-citation analysis is a useful tool to map subject-matter specialties of scientific research in a given period, is examined. A method has been developed using quantitative analysis of content-words related to publications in order to: (1) study coherence of research topics within sets of publications citing clusters, i.e., (part of) the “current work” of a specialty; (2) to study differences in research topics between sets of publications citing different clusters; and (3) to evaluate recall of “current work” publications concerning the specialties identified by co-citation analysis. Empirical support is found for the claim that co-citation analysis identifies indeed subject-matter specialties. However, different clusters may identify the same specialty, and results are far from complete concerning the identified “current work.” These results are in accordance with the opinion of some experts in the fields. Low recall of co-citation analysis concerning the “current work” of specialties is shown to be related to the way in which researchers build their work on earlier publications: the “missed” publications equally build on very recent earlier work, but are less “consensual” and/or less “attentive” in their referencing practice. Evaluation of national research performance using co-citation analysis appears to be biased by this “incompleteness.”
355 citations
TL;DR: A study in which gratification theory was applied to an information-seeking behavior of a lower-class population was reported in this paper. But, although members of this lower-working class population expressed a number of areas in which they needed information (e.g., employment, everyday coping advice, etc.), they were not active seekers of information outside of their most familiar social milieu.
Abstract: This research reports a study in which gratification theory (essentially, that certain populations live in an environment in which the emphasis is on immediate gratifications and satisfaction of needs) was applied to an information-seeking behavior of a lower-class population. The focus of the study was an investigation of the information-seeking behaviors of a lower-working class population. Respondents were janitorial workers at a southern university. Results show that, although members of this lower-working class population expressed a number of areas in which they needed information (e.g., employment, everyday coping advice, etc.), they were not active seekers of information outside of their most familiar social milieu. The findings indicate that a possible explanation for this was the perception that outside sources were not capable of responding to their concern. Thus, there was little motivation in exploring the relevance of these sources. Moreover, items of most interest to them were those things that were accessible, had a firm footing in everyday reality, and responded to some immediate, practical concern. © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
296 citations
TL;DR: This article demonstrates that the similar terms identified by cooccurrence data in a query expansion system tend to occur very frequently in the database that is being searched.
Abstract: Term cooccurrence data has been extensively used in document retrieval systems for the identification of indexing terms that are similar to those that have been specified in a user query: these similar terms can then be used to augment the original query statement. Despite the plausibility of this approach to query expansion, the retrieval effectiveness of the expanded queries is often no greater than, or even less than, the effectiveness of the unexpanded queries. This article demonstrates that the similar terms identified by cooccurrence data in a query expansion system tend to occur very frequently in the database that is being searched. Unfortunately, frequent terms tend to discriminate poorly between relevant and nonrelevant documents, and the general effect of query expansion is thus to add terms that do little or nothing to improve the discriminatory power of the original query.
261 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report a limited experiment in journal cocitation mapping, using the newly available online access to gather cocitations to a set of economics journals, and test the extent to which cocitation analysis as this level of litterature aggregation, can yield coherent and interpretable results.
Abstract: This article reports a limited experiment in journal cocitation mapping, using the newly available online access to gather cocitations to a set of economics journals. the research is exploratory and descriptive -essentially a feasibility study. The goal is to test the extent to which cocitation analysis as this level of litterature aggregation, can yield coherent and interpretable results.
254 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that, over a period of 10 years, continuity in intellectual base was at a lower level than continuity in topics of current research, which indicates that a series of interesting new contributions are made in course of time, without vast alteration in general topics of research.
Abstract: Combined analysis of co-citation relations and words is explored to study time-dependent (“dynamical”) aspects of scientific activities, as expressed in research publications. This approach, using words originating from publications citing documents in co-citation clusters, offers an additional and complementary possibility to identify and link specialty literature through time, compared to the exclusive use of citations. Analysis of co-citation relations is used to locate and link groups of publications that share a consensus concerning intellectual base literature. Analysis of word-profile similarity is used to identify and link publication groups that belong to the same subject-matter research specialty. Different types of “content-words” are analyzed, including indexing terms, classification codes, and words from title and abstract of publications. The developed methods and techniques are illustrated using data of a specialty in atomic and molecular physics. For this specialty, it is shown that, over a period of 10 years, continuity in intellectual base was at a lower level than continuity in topics of current research. This finding indicates that a series of interesting new contributions are made in course of time, without vast alteration in general topics of research. However, within this framework, a more detailed analysis based on timeplots of individual cited key-articles and of content-words reveals a change from more rapid succession of new empirical studies to more retrospective, and theoretically oriented studies in later years.
189 citations
TL;DR: Analysis of transaction data suggested a number of factors contributing to the decline in subject search frequency are user difficulties in formulating subject queries with Library of Congress Subject Headings, leading to search failure, and the problem of “information overload” as database size increases.
Abstract: Search index usage in a large university online catalog system over a six-year period (representing about 15.3 million searches) was investigated using transaction monitor data. Mathematical models of trends and patterns In the data were developed and tested using regression techniques. The results of the analyses show a consistent decline in the frequency of subject index use by online catalog users, with a corresponding increase in the frequency of title keyword searching. Significant annual patterns in index usage were also identified. Analysis of the transaction data, and related previous studies of online catalog users, suggest a number of factors contributing to the decline in subject search frequency. Chief among these factors are user difficulties in formulating subject queries with Library of Congress Subject Headings, leading to search failure, and the problem of “information overload” as database size increases. This article presents the models and results of the transaction log analysis, discusses the underlying problems with subject searching contributing to the observed decline, and reviews some proposed improvements to online catalog systems to aid in overcoming these problems.
95 citations
TL;DR: The selection routine is a formal decision tree that represents the intuitive rules searchers use when they select search keys, textwords or descriptors and is the first formal presentation of human knowledge that can be incorporated into the knowledge base of intermediary expert systems.
Abstract: The selection routine is a formal decision tree that represents the intuitive rules searchers use when they select search keys, textwords or descriptors. The case study method provided the data through: (1) observation of 47 professional online searchers performing their job-related searches; and (2) analysis of verbal and search protocols involved. Each option in the selection of search keys presents the use of a certain combination of textwords and descriptors which searchers choose because of request or database requirements, or because of their own beliefs. The routine delineates the terminological conditions which lead to the selection of each option. It is the first formal presentation of human knowledge that can be incorporated into the knowledge base of intermediary expert systems.
93 citations
TL;DR: Results show that searchers used thesauri and indexing when it was of satisfactory quality and available to them, and that these and other database‐related reasons were the most influential in search‐key selection.
Abstract: Searching with descriptors from controlled vocabularies complements free-text searching with textwords. The case study method provided data about the manner in which the two types of search keys interact through: (1) observation of 47 professional searchers performing their job-related searches; and (2) analysis of verbal and search protocols, denoting reasons for the selection of each search key and for each search modification. Results show that searchers used thesauri and indexing when it was of satisfactory quality and available to them, and that these and other database-related reasons were the most influential in search-key selection. Further, having to perform a multidatabase search induced the use of textwords without consulting a thesaurus. There is a need for high quality thesauri which are easily available and for mechanisms, such as switching languages, to aid in multidatabase searches.
TL;DR: It is reported that clusters of co-relevant documents obtain increasingly similar descriptions when a genetic algorithm is used to adapt subject descriptions so that documents become more effective in matching relevant queries and failing to match nonrelevant queries.
Abstract: Information retrieval systems have used clustering of documents and queries to improve both retrieval efficiency and retrieval effectiveness. Normally, clustering involves grouping together static descriptions of documents by their similarity to each other, though user-based clustering suggests that usage patterns concerning co-relevance can form a basis for clustering. This article reports that clusters of co-relevant documents obtain increasingly similar descriptions when a genetic algorithm is used to adapt subject descriptions so that documents become more effective in matching relevant queries and failing to match nonrelevant queries. As a result of the increased similarity, clustering algorithms can more accurately group documents into useful clusters. The findings of this work were reached through simulation experiments. © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TL;DR: Findings indicate that searchers encountered difficulties in achieving satisfactory recall, regardless of their searching style, and future research should focus on mechanisms to improve recall and on factors that affect the development of searching styles.
Abstract: Individual searching style has a primary effect on searching behavior. The case study method provided data about elements of searching styles through: (1) observation of 47 professional searchers performing their job-related searches; and (2) analysis of verbal and search protocols. Statistical associations among a number of variables reveal three dimensions of searching behavior: level of interaction, preference for operational or conceptual moves, and preference for textwords or descriptors. The interactive searcher actively modifies search strategies and uses a relatively large number of search keys (or search terms). The operationalist searcher prefers to employ operational moves and is less concerned with recall than his conceptualist counterpart. The free-text searcher prefers to use textwords, has developed a habit of not consulting a thesaurus, and is more likely to regularly receive practical questions. Findings also indicate that searchers encountered difficulties in achieving satisfactory recall, regardless of their searching style. Future research should focus on mechanisms to improve recall and on factors that affect the development of searching styles. © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TL;DR: In this paper, an attempt was made to construct and validate an indicator of research performance through collecting peer judgments on the quality of journals by means of a world-wide mail survey among 385 scholars.
Abstract: This study had two main goals. First, an attempt was made to construct and validate an indicator of research performance through collecting peer judgments on the quality of journals by means of a world-wide mail survey among 385 scholars. Second, to study the validity of indicators based on citations, these judgments were used to probe the quality of the coverage by the SSCI and the A & HCl of both core and noncore journals. Four disciplines in the humanities (General Linguistics, General Literature, Dutch Literature, and Dutch Language) and two disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences (Experimental Psychology and Public Administration) were studied. Coverage in both SSCI and A & HCl was generally increased somewhat when journals judged to be nonscholarly were eliminated
TL;DR: Developers of information systems should consider qualitative aspects of cognition in their designs, including segmenting the audience for computer interfaces, as well as designing generic tools that apply to all users.
Abstract: As electronic text files increase in number and diversity, the problem of devising a more effective information retrieval interface grows more important. Future designs may draw upon cognitive theories at categorization and metaphor to understand how users interact with text—both paper and electronic. Relevant literature in cognitive psychology and information science suggests the importance of the user's physical environment in thinking about abstract entities, such as categories of documents. Empirical studies have established a basis for understanding how we think about, file, remember, and locate text. Results from a study of 20 historians—an exemplary group in terms of their close studies of texts and the broad scope of their inquiries—imply the importance of metaphors for storage and retrieval of documents. The study found that metaphors and subjective categories were frequently applied to documents collected and created by these scholars. Two physical factors—spatial configuration and document form—were often considered before topic in determining document storage locations in the office. Developers of information systems should consider qualitative aspects of cognition in their designs. System developers might also consider segmenting the audience for computer interfaces, as well as designing generic tools that apply to all users. © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TL;DR: For each feature user studies and other research on line public access catalogs are reviewed and those findings summarized which provide insight into user needs concerning that particular feature; issues are identified and directions for further research are suggested.
Abstract: Current research on user interfaces to online public access catalogs is reviewed in an attempt to identify research methods and findings applicable to the design of effective user interfaces to online public access catalogs. A broad definition of user interface is employed which includes data structures, in addition to searching and indexing software. The following features of online public access catalogs are discussed: the demonstration of relationships between records, the provision of entry vocabularies, the arrangement of multiple entries on the screen, the provision of access points, the display of single records, and the division of the catalog into separate files or indexes. For each feature, user studies and other research on online public access catalogs are reviewed and those findings summarized which provide insight into user needs concerning that particular feature; issues are identified and directions for future research are suggested. Implications for cataloging codes and standards and system design are discussed.
TL;DR: The National and Regional Institutes for Information Democracy (NIRDI) as discussed by the authors is a system of state and community-based Experimental Mass Information Utilities (EMIU) that was developed by the late 1970's.
Abstract: Under prevailing policies, serious social equity issues are arising as we move further into the Information Age. Recent surveys indicate that there is a significant gap between the “information rich” and “information poor,” but there is little up-to-date research on the magnitude, nature, and consequences of this gap. As a society we are giving inadequate attention to ensuring that as new computer and telecommunications technologies become more pervasive, their benefits are distributed in ways that don't exacerbate existing disparities between the rich and poor. The underlying issue is one of social empowerment. If “knowledge is power,” then a dominant element of our society for the rest of the century is likely to be a struggle for control of information resources and the power associated with that control. We can begin to deal with these issues by creating a system of National and Regional Institutes for Information Democracy. The Institutes would explore the nature of information-related empowerment issues, the character and causes of the “information gap,” and would develop and implement means for mitigating associated equity problems. They would serve as a development and support structure for state and community-based Experimental Mass Information Utilities, a concept developed by Harold Sackman and his co-workers in the early 1970's. The Institutes system would provide a focus for research and implementation activities designed to mitigate equity problems, and in the process, would expand information industry markets. © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TL;DR: It is proved that the utility an inquirer receives from the relevant documents he or she retrieves is maximized by selecting those documents with the largest predictive probabilities of relevance.
Abstract: We challenge the probability ranking principle in information retrieval from the perspectives of (1) signal detection-decision theory and (2) utility theory. If three conditions are not met by an IR system that is producing predictive probabilities of relevance, then inquirers may incur costs that are too great by selecting first those documents that the system predicts have the highest probabilities of relevance. These three conditions are that predictive probabilities are well calibrated (predictively ccurate); that they are reported with certainty; and that an inquirer independently assesses the relevance of all documents he or she retrieves. When these conditions are met,signal detection analysis with fixed decision-theoretic costs shows that the probability ranking principle is advisable.
TL;DR: The data suggested that as the number of terms assigned per article increased indexing consistency decreased, and highest for the descriptors and lowest for identifiers, drawn from natural language or the controlled vocabulary.
Abstract: Duplicate entries in Information Science Abstracts allowed for a study of the consistency of the indexing of this file. The results showed a bipolar distribution: indexing matched completely almost half of the time and did not match at all almost half of the time. The indexing policies of ISA require one mainheading and one or two subheadings per document. This restriction in the number of terms and the fact that ISA has a very small vocabulary from which to draw these terms may be the reason for this bipolar distribution. The indexing consistency was highest for the descriptors, drawn from a small controlled vocabulary, and lowest for identifiers, drawn from natural language or the controlled vocabulary. The data suggested that as the number of terms assigned per article increased indexing consistency decreased. © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TL;DR: In this paper, it is shown that the notion of concentration can best be studied by applying a number of transfer principles, which imply other natural concentration requirements such as the principle of nominal increase.
Abstract: In this article we show that the notion of concentration (or inequality) can best be studies by applying a number of transfer principles. We prove this by showing that transfer principles imply other natural concentration requirements such as the principle of nominal increase. We moreover exhibit a relation between Dalton's transfer principle and the Lorenz dominance order. We distinguish between simple and stronger transfer principles, leading to a classification of concentration measures. Finally, it is shown that the coefficient of variation and some measures derived from it are the ultimate best ones
TL;DR: A “move analysis” of 77 abstracts published between 1987 and 1989 shows that 48% of the abstracts studied were “poorly structured” in the sense that they presented some sort of discoursal deficiency.
Abstract: In the last few years, the editors of some leading biomedical journals have urged medical researchers to structure the abstracts of the papers they send for publication in such a way that key aspects of purpose, methods, and results be consistently described in a standardized manner with prominent headings. General guidelines for research papers and review articles have then been suggested. In order to find out what the actual internal structuring of medical English abstracts is, we carried out a “move analysis” of 77 abstracts published between 1987 and 1989. Our results show that 48% of the abstracts studied were “poorly structured” in the sense that they presented some sort of discoursal deficiency. Because abstracts assume such a pivotal role in scientific communication, medical researchers should pay a much closer attention to the way they structure their abstracts. © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TL;DR: Examination of factors which may explain frequency and nature of use of documents in citing document texts over time found frequently cited documents were not judged more useful than infrequently cited documents initially, but were used at a stable higher level over a longer period.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine factors which may explain frequency and nature of use of documents in citing document texts over time. Articles published in the Journal of the American Society for Information Science in 1972, 1973, and 1974 were searched on SciSearch to derive two sample groups. One group was frequently cited; the other was infrequently cited. The functional uses of the sample document groups were examined by four classification taxonomies in 417 citing contexts. The patterns of frequency of use, multiple use, and functional use were examined over time. The citation levels of documents citing the two sample groups were examined as well. When measured by functional citation taxonomies, frequently and infrequently cited documents were not used for significantly different functions. Frequently cited documents, however, seemed more tightly linked (essential) than infrequently cited documents to the documents in which they were used. While frequently cited documents were not judged more useful than infrequently cited documents initially, they were used at a stable higher level over a longer period. Infrequently cited documents were used immediately following publication and then their use rapidly diminished. The repeated use of infrequently cited documents within documents tended to decrease over time while the repeated use of frequently cited documents tended to increase. Frequently cited articles were used for different functions in the period immediately following publication and a later time period. Infrequently cited articles were used with greater consistency in the two time periods. © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TL;DR: In this article, the influence of the cited journal on the citing journal is modeled as a probabilistic Poisson process, with the expectation being the product of the influence and the similarity between the two journals.
Abstract: Loglinear analysis of interjournal citations permits objective evaluation of the network of journals in and around a discipline. Citation frequency is modeled as a probabilistic Poisson process, with its expectation being the product of the influence of the cited journal on the citing journal, and of the citing journal's receptivity. The influence is itself modeled as the product of the cited journal's importance and of the similarity between the two journals. Loglinear analysis is used to extract maximum likelihood estimates of journals'importances and receptivities and a matrix of similarities from their citation matrix
TL;DR: Information retrieval has been primarily concerned with text and text-like data as discussed by the authors, but image-handling reminds us that information retrieval should have a broader scope, and it did in the neglected work of European pioneers such as Paul Otlet and Suzanne Briet.
Abstract: Information retrieval has been primarily concerned with text and text-like data. Image-handling reminds us that information retrieval should have a broader scope, and it did in the neglected work of European pioneers such as Paul Otlet and Suzanne Briet. The terminology of “multimedia” needs attention to distinguish phenomena, facts, representations, forms of expression, and physical medium. © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TL;DR: The conclusion is that AI has limited potential, not just because AI is itself insufficiently developed, but because many information management tasks are properly shallow information processing ones.
Abstract: This opinion article presents a view of the scope for artificial intelligence in information retrieval. It considers four potential roles for AI in IR, evaluating AI from a realistic point of view and within a wide information management context. The conclusion is that AI has limited potential, not just because AI is itself insufficiently developed, but because many information management tasks are properly shallow information processing ones. There is nevertheless an important place for specific applications of AI or AI‐derived technology when particular constraints can be placed on the information management tasks involved. © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TL;DR: It was found that full-text identified significantly more relevant articles than did the indexed file, MEDLINE, and the more current issue of a journal was just as likely to appear in MEDLINE as in one of the full- Text files.
Abstract: This project was designed to test the relative efficacy of index terms and full-text for the retrieval of documents in those MEDLINE journals for which full-text searching was also available. The full-text files used were MEDIS from Mead Data Central and CCML from BRS Information Technologies. One hundred clinical medical topics were searched in these two files as well as the MEDLINE file to accumulate the necessary data. It was found that full-text identified significantly more relevant articles than did the indexed file, MEDLINE. The full-text searches, however, lacked the precision of searches done in the indexed file. Most relevant items missed in the full-text files, but identified in MEDLINE, were missed because the searcher failed to account for some aspect of natural language, used a logical or positional operator that was too restrictive, or included a concept which was implied, but not expressed in the natural language. Very few of the unique relevant full-text citations would have been retrieved by title or abstract alone. Finally, as of July, 1990 the more current issue of a journal was just as likely to appear in MEDLINE as in one of the full-text files. © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TL;DR: Measures of cluster‐based retrieval effectiveness are computed for five composite representations in the cystic fibrosis (CF) Document Collection and the effectiveness of the exhaustive representation composed of references and citations is materially superior to the effective of exhaustive composite representations that include subject descriptions.
Abstract: Measures of cluster-based retrieval effectiveness are computed for five composite representations in the cystic fibrosis (CF) Document Collection. The composite representations are constructed from combinations of two subject representations, based on Medical Subject headings and subheadings, and two citation representations, consisting of the complete list of cited references and a comprehensive list of citations for each document. Experimental retrieval results are presented as a function of the exhaustivity and similarity of the composite representations and reveal consistent patterns from which optimal performance levels can be identified.
TL;DR: The development of Virtual Reality is discussed through the converging technologies of simulation of advanced aerospace and military equipment, digital imaging, and motion picture special effects (F/X), and its likely future course and impacts including those in libraries are examined.
Abstract: We describe current embodiments of Virtual Reality : a computer-synthesized three-dimensional environment (cyberspace) in which a plurality of human participants, appropriately interfaced, may engage and manipulate simulated physical elements in the environment and, in some forms, may engage and interact with representations of each other, and in projected future versions, may interact with representations of other humans, past, present, or fictional, or invented creatures. We discuss the development of Virtual Reality through the converging technologies of simulation of advanced aerospace and military equipment, digital imaging, and motion picture special effects (F/X), and examine its likely future course and impacts including those in libraries
TL;DR: In this article, a replication of a study conducted by Eisenberg and Hu (1987) regarding users' perceptions of the binary or dichotomous nature of their relevance judgments is presented.
Abstract: The findings reported here come from a replication of a study conducted by Eisenberg and Hu (1987) regarding users' perceptions of the binary or dichotomous nature of their relevance judgments. This study sought to replicate their findings, with a slighty different question, and with different populations.
TL;DR: An algorithm for the automatic construction of query formulations in Boolean form is developed that substantially simplifies the end‐user interaction and might also be useful for correcting query formulations on the basis of the user's feedback during his interaction with the system.
Abstract: on the basis of several pragmatic assumptions we developed an algorithm for the automatic construction of query formulations in Boolean form. The suggested algorithm also substantially simplifies the end-user interaction. The user expresses his search request by a set of docuemnts pertinent to his need. The quality of the search depends only on the algorithm and on how completely and precisely the information need of a user is represented in his search request. The algorithm might also be useful for correcting query formulations on the basis of the user's feedback during his interaction with the system