Document (#11008)

Author

Vigil, P.J.

Title

Associative and Boolean retrieval : a comparative analysis

Source

Online information 94. Proceedings of the 18th International Online Meeting, London, 6-8 Dec 1994. Ed. by D.I. Raitt et al

Imprint

Oxford : Learned Information

Year

1994

Pages

S.57-62

Abstract

Associative retrieval and relevance ranking are now available on several major vendor systems. These natural language utilities are a viable alternative to the Boolean based methods of online searching. However, the value of associative retrieval based searching on very large commercial system still needs to be determined. It is important for information professionals to understand the dynamics of these features in terms of appropriate applications and limitations. Presents the results of searches, comparing the effectiveness of both types of retrieval: associative and Boolean. Evaluation criteria include ease of use versus complexity and cost considerations, in terms of precision and recall. Results are incorporated into a review of the effectiveness of associative retrieval and its role in the online searching field. Concludes that associative retrieval is a viable alternative to Boolean based retrieval but it is not a replacement

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