Browsing as a means of online text retrieval*

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Cove, J.F. | Walsh, B.C.

Affiliations: Department of Computer Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, England

Note: [*] Version of a paper presented at the Forty-third Congress of the Fédération Internationale de Documentation FID) in Montréal, Québec, Canada, 14–18 September 1986.

Abstract: Browsing refers to information retrieval where the initial search criteria range from undefined to only partly defined. The fundamentals of browsing are explored as a basis for the creation of an intelligent computer system to assist with the retrieval of online information. Browsing actions via a computer terminal are examined together with new methods of accessing text and satisfying user queries. Initial tests with a prototype system illustrated the use of different retrieval strategies when accessing online information of varying structure. A simple overview facility was liked by the users testing the prototype. The results suggest the construction of a more intelligent processing component to provide expanded capabilities for content extraction and navigation within text documents.

DOI: 10.3233/ISU-1987-7602

Journal: Information Services & Use, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 183-188, 1987