NON-LINEAR INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SEARCH STRATEGIES FOR USERS

Gulten S. Wagner

School of Library & Information Science
Curtin University of Technology
Perth, 6001, Western Australia

Keywords: Information Retrieva.l, Search, Strategy, Users, Non-Linear Retrieval, Multimedia, Hypermedia.

Abstract: There is a scarcity of research and development in the area of macro search strategy techniques for information retrieval in libraries/information centres, aimed at users. So far, conceptual theoretical approaches to search strategy development in reference works has been addressed to the reference librarian (e.g. Jahoda, et. al., 1977; Taylor, 1969 etc.). Although various "How to..." textbooks exist for the purpose of demystifying manual and online literature searching in libraries for users, they are often written in the context of either preparing research projects (e.g. thesis, dissertation, term papers) or searching databases (e.g. Lane, 1989; Online, 1991). Reference services in libraries and information centres is based on solving users information problems, but not all users take advantage of such services - for various reasons. More importantly, the concept of electronic library, which will be accessible to users in the "remote mode" will force us to think in terms of provision of self-help search strategies designed specially for users. This paper proposes that such research should include in its agenda non-linear retrieval systems.
 

  1. INTRODUCTION

Humans think associatively. Yet information retrieval tools in library and information centres are linear, such as Online Access Catalogue systems (OPACs), online and electronic databases. There is an urgent need for associational retrieval tools which would be more suitable for the thinking processes of the mind.

As a non-linear linking device, or as a communication tool, a hypermedia search tool can be used as a search strategy formulation guide in library and information centres. At the heart of reference service is the search strategy -- it should be possible to design an information mapping device to basic reference tools, in addition to providing an excellent reference service. There are various expert systems and hypertext packages for specific information packages (e.g., Thomas, 1990;

Garrison, 1989; and Vickery and Brooks, 1987. It should also be possible to design one for t whole host of key reference sources. The unfolding of information sources along the path of a search strategy would be a potentially powerful device.

From a cognitive point of view, such a device would be desirable. Daniels points out that human interaction with information systems ought to be viewed "as an adaptive, cognitive system, in order for effective interfaces and even whole systems to be designed." (1986; 273) Such information retrieval systems could include reference tools in library and information centers.

"In traditional text, the model assumes a linear form. Yet the models in the mind are more like networks than lines. Would a medium not be more powerful were it to allow the representation of networks directly? Hypertext is a new medium which represents text (and nontext) in networks rather than in lines." (Rada, 1991) Hypermedia, a non-linear linking device, can be used as a search strategy formulation tool in libraries/information centres. But before the application of non-linear technology to information retrieval in libraries we need to develop theories on users interaction with information systems.

At present, there is a paucity of search strategy theories for users, even in the use of linear retrieval systems. Such a dynamic search strategy needs to be designed or an existing one adapted. This paper proposes that as a starting point we can consider the one developed by Gerald Jahoda and Judith Schiek Braunagel in The Librarian and Reference Queries: A Systematic Approach (1980). Although the search strategies developed in their text is mainly for training new reference librarians, it can be argued that a hypermedia version of such a search strategy would also be useful in guiding new users. An important dimension of Jahoda and Braunagel's search strategy is the topology of reference questions. Is it possible that a user's reference queries can be categorized into a neat topology as follows?
 
 






On the other hand, answer-providing tools can be listed in twelve categories (Jahoda & Braunagel, 1980):

Users will be responsible for selecting their "message categories" based on each query; as well as information source categories. Tutorial packages could be built into the system to assist users in developing skills in this very crucial task. It goes without saying that some of these categories in both of the above lists have to be spelled out in terms more meaningful for the user.

The terminology used by Jahoda and Braunagel can be summarized as follows:

"We characterized the message of each query as the subject of the query, the given, and the information needed about the subject, the wanted. Next, the specific message words used by the requestor in a query have been translated into generic tags called given and wanted descriptors. Each query can be divided into these components." (Jahoda & Braunagel, 1980, p. 14) They admit that not all queries may be indexed with the list of descriptors on the checklist (1980; 14).

A hypermedia package has to build the necessary bridges between the possible questions (i.e., the checklist of descriptors) and the answer providing tools. Users have to make the initial choice of wanted information, as follows:

Wanted Sample Query Type of Tool

Date When was G. Whitlan born? Bibliographical source

Dictionary

Encyclopedia

Illustration I'd like to see a photograph of Biographical source

G. Whitlam. Encyclopedia

Monograph; text

Yearbook; almanac

Numeric Information How tall was G. Whitlan? Biographical source

Measurement Encyclopedia

Monograph; text

Yearbook; almanac

Source: Based on Gerald Jahoda and Judith Schiek Braunagel. (1980). The Librarian and Reference Queries:

A Systematic Approach. p. 19

In addition, each type of answer-providing tool has to be described to users as clearly as possible. Jahoda and Braunel's Biographical sources information is used to illustrate this point in the following figure.

Title Current Biography

Coverage Includes biographical articles about leaders in all fields of human endeavor, living anywhere in the world.

Organization Alphabetical by name of person.

Sample Query How long has Walter Cronkite been anchorperson for the CBS Evening News?

Source: Based on Gerald Jahoda and Judith Schiek Braunagel. (1980). The Librarian and Reference Queries: A Systematic Approach. p. 29
 
 

At this point it should be possible for the user to make connections to the CD-ROM version of the Current Biography to look up the question.

Rather prophetically, Jahoda and Braunell pose the following question in their text:

"Could message selection step be performed by clerks or computers? What about selection of descriptors (i.e., categories of answer providing tools)?" (p. 14) Karen Sparck Jones' answer to such a question would simply be: "Modern interface technology has the power, in principle if not always in practice, to allow the user to participate very fully, because very conveniently, in the process of determining and satisfying his information need," (Sparck Jones, 1990) Search strategy theories developed by Jahoda and Braunagle can be adapted to specific types of libraries based on users' information needs and the types of materials and information networks available in such libraries.

Today, information technology has the capacity, at least in principle, to design IR systems which will consider users' information needs, reasoning or knowledge, i.e., their cognitive processes.

Before application of non-linear technologies in developing user-based search strategy tools, there is an urgent need to conduct research on how users interact with information retrieval systems. Such research will provide us with much required insights in developing non-linear search strategy tools using the hypermedia technology.
 
 

REFERENCES

Garrison, Ann. (October 1989). "The visual almanac," Macworld 6 (10): 6.

Jahoda, Gerald, J. Braunagel & H. Nath. (Fall 1977). "Reference process: modules for instruction," RQ, 8: 7-12.

Jahoda, Gerald, Judith Schiek Braunagel. (1980). The Librarian and Reference Queries: A Systematic Approach. San Diego: Academic Press.

Lane, Nancy D. (1989). "Techniques of student research: A practical guide," Melbourne: Longman Chesire.

"Online searching in science and technology: An introductory guide to equipment, databass and search techniques," London: The British Library (1991).

de May, M. (1977). "The cognitive viewpoint: Its development and its scope," Communication and Cognition, 10 (2): 7-23.

Rada, R. "Hypermedia and paper: A special synergy," Journal of Information Management, 11: 14-22.

Sparck Jones, Karen. (1990). Retrieving Information or Answering Questions? London: The British Library Board, (British Library annual research lecture, 8) p. 11.

Taylor, Robert S. (1990). "Question negotiation and information seeking in libraries," College and Research Libraries, 29 (3): 178-187.

Thomas, Sarah E. (February 1990). "CatTutor: a hypertext tool for catalogers," Paper Presented at the Annual Conference of the Society for Applied Learning Technology, 6th, Orlando, FL. 6p.ED329265.

Vickery, Alina and H.M. Brooks. (1987). "PLEXUS - the expert system for referral," Information Processing and Management, 23: 99-117.