Boolean and Modern Info. Retrieval

MODERN INFORMATION RETRIEVAL-Inside a Computer: How it Works?Critique on: Boolean Search and Retrieval


Title: Computerized information searching. How to find information in science and technology. 4, 51-71.
Author: Lambert, J. & Lambert, P. (1991)
Publisher: Library Association

Title: Searching and Retrieval. Introduction to Modern Retrieval System. 4, 170-191
Author: Chowdhury, G. G. (2001)
Publisher: Library Association

Title of Article: Beyond recall and Precision: From System – Oriented to User- Oriented Evaluation
Author: Hersh, William (retrieved June 26 ’08)
URL: http://davinci.ohsu.edu/~hersh/user-studies.pdf

Title: Information Technology. 2006 Board Review for Librarians, 6-10.
Author: Esposo, S. S. (2006)
Publisher: Institute of Library and Information Science

ABSTRACT:

The process of searching starts with the user’s construction of his/her query statement based on his/her search topic and then narrow it down into concepts. But prior to the searching process, user should have at least idea on the measures to be taken during the search process. And then during the input of search query (keywords are determined, and Boolean operators are use on the search query), all symbols, images and other details are converted into binary digits (0s and 1s) in order for it be understood and processed by the computer. Query statements that are gathered are converted and instructed in a computer through the input devices, and then the data are processed and manipulated in the CPU which controls the other parts of the computer systems while the microprocessor speeds up the process and retrieval of the information.

Once query statement is entered into the system, the computer is then instructed to find all the references in the database about the search concept. The Boolean operators play an important role during the search process.; it in the coordination of the search concepts----- with user’s familiarity of the keyword synonyms and use the Boolean operators the number of relevant document retrieved varies, it depends on how the search statement is being constructed. The results now can be too narrow or too broad, it could focus solely on one concept excluding the other concept (NOT logic), could retrieve all relevant concepts (AND logic), or relevant documents on either of the two concepts (OR logic). In an online based system, the search processing involves several communication devices that allow the transfer of information searched from one network to another; these communication devices are also the one responsible for connecting on databases that matches the concept being searched through host computers. The search results are then translated into language that human can understand, as output, and viewed through computer screens, printers, and other output devices.

3 THINGS I LEARNED:

The things that I learned from what I have read:

First, knowledge of the effective search strategy is a must for a researcher. And knowing at least the basics of Boolean operators is a great advantage, and could help minimize the cost of searching. Second, although the Boolean searching is widely used on most computer- based system it still has its limitations especially with regard to the relevance of retrieve references---some of the retrieved references are not relevant to the user; and at the end of the search process its still the users that decides which material among the retrieved relevant by the system are said to be relevant on his/her evaluation. Lastly, in some cases that although the user is familiar with the Boolean operators, his/her understanding about the concept of his/her research is still the major influencing factor of the retrieval result since the user is the one providing the key concepts, and the Boolean operators functions only as connectors that coordinates the concepts provided by the users.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW THINGS I LEARNED:

It is important for information specialist like to at least have knowledge in Boolean operators which will definitely help me in adapting with the modern retrieval system. Familiarity with the Boolean operators and key concepts of data searching will be a great advantage for someone working on a library (like me) to immediately assist library clienteles on doing web-based research, and other computer based systems. It can limit the time cost needed for just searching for relevant references. But of course, prior to the search process I should know the details of the client information need to be able to apply a more effective search strategy.