Distributed Information Retrieval: Developments and Strategies

Abstract

Opposed to centralized search where Websites are crawled and indexed, Distributed Information Retrieval (DIR), also known as Federated Search, is a powerful way to comprehensively search multiple databases in real-time simultaneously. DIR is preferred to centralized search environments in a number of ways, characteristically among them are: 1. the diversity of resources that are made available; 2. improving scalability and reducing server load and network traffic; 3. the leverage of accessing the hidden or deep Web.There are three major phases/tasks of a DIR (i) resource description or collection representation (ii) resource selection and (iii) result merging. This paper aims at providing a comprehensive review on the various phases of DIR and also some current strategies being recommended in enhancing and improving the smooth implementation of a DIR system.

Improving Results Aggregation Strategies in Distributed Information Retrieval

“…The task of aggregating multiple result lists into a single ranked list is called result merging [1,8]. The result-lists are usually obtained by sending the same query to N different information sources.…”

“…Its merging methods must also rank and aggregate results having the most relevant documents in the top ranks. One possible solution to the above issues is by using a Distributed Information Retrieval system (DIR) [8]. In DIR, the task is to search a group of independent collections(usually autonomous), and to effectively merge the results they return for queries.…”

Corporate Social Responsibility Behavior: Impact on Firm’s Financial Performance in an Information Technology Driven Society

“…In the past, companies could easily get away with almost whatever they wanted, due to the fact that they had the ability to control the vast majority of the communication about their activities; both good and bad. In recent times, due to the availability of large volumes of information on the web, and the ease to obtain searchable items pertaining to key issues from different geographical locations [2], a growing movement in and around business has emerged, touting something called corporate social responsibility (CSR); the balancing of a company's financial, environment and social impacts. For example, it is a common practice for individuals and pressure groups that have issues with companies to access the overwhelming amount of information available on the Web; analyze, filter and broadcast their opinions to their blogs and also on substantial and influential networks.…”

Using Social Media as a Marketing Tool in Tertiary Institutions: A Case Study of Data Link University, Ghana

“…In recent times, institutions of higher learning all over the world have evaluated the benefits of inculcating social media in stimulating interests of prospective candidates into their institutions. Since the 1970's, the internet has been used as a tool by individuals and organizations in addressing their informational needs [10]. It enables its users to exchange information with each others, search for information or maintain personal profiles and write blog-like journal articles [18].…”