A translating computer interface for end‐user operation of heterogeneous retrieval systems. II. Evaluations

Marcus, Richard S.; Reintjes, J.

doi:10.1002/asi.4630320410

Cited by 20 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 22 publications

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“…Marcus and Reintjes [51,52] developed their experimental computer intermediary system, CONIT, which assists users in accessing and searching heterogeneous retrieval systems. CONIT connects three different retrieval systems (NLM-ELHILL, SDC-ORBIT and DIALOG), but presents to the user what appears to be a single, common svstem.…”

Section: Experimental Work In Retrieval Interfacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

An intelligent interface for online interaction

Vickery

1984

Journal of Information Science

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In this paper, the author discusses the ways of improving the performance of online retrieval systems by introducing an automated interface between the enquirer and the system. In the first part of the paper, the main features of such human/machine interaction and the characteristics that the user would like to see incorporated in an interface, are described. Then, studies in artificial intelligence that are particularly relevant to the problems of implementing an intelligent interface, are discussed. The author concludes with a summary of automated mechanisms that will be needed to improve the quality of interaction between the user and the search system.Interactive computer information search normally consists of an enquirer who, often through the agency of an intermediary, interacts with a computer information system. This system usually contains files of information records, word indexes to those files, relationships between words (thesauri) and statistical data about the words (numbers of postings). Search is normally carried out by an iterated series of Boolean word combinations, and by user evaluation of selected intermediate outputs. One way to improve the performance of retrieval systems will be to change the content of the information records and/or the methods of search (eg., to use weighting, clustering, or probabilistic retrieval). An alternative way is to introduce an automated interface between the enquirer and the system, so as to improve the quality of human/system interaction. Of course, both methods of improvement can be introduced together.In this paper, I want to discuss the second approach, setting out what I consider to be the main features of this interaction and the characteristics that the user would like to see incorporated in an interface. Then will draw upon a review conducted by Belkin and myself [73] for clues as to how interface problems could be tackled. I will briefly summarise recent work in information retrieval on implementing an interface, and discuss studies in artificial intelligence that seem to me to be particularly relevant to the problem. I will conclude with a summary statement of the automated mechanisms that will be needed to reach the envisaged goal. It will be assumed that the interface will be designed to cover only a limited subject domain.The development of online information services and the proliferation of databases created a new professional role to be played by the librarian or information scientist -the role of an intermediary who knows where and how to search information systems in order to find answers to requests of end-users. The intermediary is an integral part of an interactive system between the user, the computer (including the query language) and the knowledge base (databases). He/she is responsible for a search that is cost-effective and satisfies the user's need. The processors of information, such as Dialog, SDC, BRS or Data-Star are interested in multiplying the number of searches (for better profits) and envisage the realisation of their goal...

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Section: Experimental Work In Retrieval Interfacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

An intelligent interface for online interaction

Vickery

1984

Journal of Information Science

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Observations of end-user online searching behavior over eleven years

Sewell

Teitelbaum²

1986

J. Am. Soc. Inf. Sci.

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End-user searching of National Library of Medicine (NLM) online data bases during eleven years has been investigated through transaction logs, questionnaires, and follow-up interviews. From 1976 through 1984, pathologists and pharmacists performed 8,313 searches. Highlights of our studies are compared with a review of other end-user research. Volume of searching is directly related to the convenient placement of the terminal in the work place. Slightly fewer than half of all potential searchers actually search for themselves. Practices of pharmacists and pathologists do not differ in important ways. Nonmediated searchers feel they need answers more promptly than do those who obtain mediated searches. End-users perform very simple searches, mostly using only the AND operator. Problems with techniques are fewer and more easily solved than those with the vocabulary and content of the system. The major problems, with the most powerful capabilities of MEDLINE--subheadings and explosions--sometimes cause substantial loss of references, but in relatively few searches. One-on-one teaching is most popular, with trial-and-error the most frequent procedure used in actual learning.

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Why are online catalogs hard to use? Lessons learned from information-retrieval studies

Borgman

1986

J. Am. Soc. Inf. Sci.

185

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Research in user behavior on online catalogs is in its early stages, but preliminary findings suggest that users encounter many of the same problems identified in behavioral studies of other types of bibliographic retrieval systems. Much can be learned from comparing the results of user behavior studies on these two types of systems. Research on user problems with both the mechanical aspects and the conceptual aspects of system use is reviewed, with the conclusion that more similarity exists across types of systems in conceptual than in mechanical problems. Also discussed are potential sources of the problems, due either to individual characteristics or to system variables. A series of research questions is proposed and a number of potential interim solutions are suggested for alleviating some of the problems encountered by users of information systems.

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A translating computer interface for end‐user operation of heterogeneous retrieval systems. II. Evaluations

Cited by 20 publications

References 22 publications

An intelligent interface for online interaction

An intelligent interface for online interaction

Observations of end-user online searching behavior over eleven years

Why are online catalogs hard to use? Lessons learned from information-retrieval studies

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