Knowledge-Based Intermediary System for Information Retrieval: Requirements Specification

摘要

Online database searching has traditionally been a task of professional intermediaries. Unstandardized command languages and database structures cause problems that are severe for a casual searcher. As the amount of databases and retrieval systems increases continuously, the situation is becoming more difficult even for the professionals. Online services and database producers have not been active in standardizing their systems. Consequently, independent search aid programs and services have to be developed. The report lists the requirements for a prototype intermediary system to be developed in the project 'Knowledge-Based Intermediary System for Information Retrieval - KISIR'. The functional requirements are based on an analysis of the tasks of a standard search. This includes database selection, search profile formulation, search execution, evaluation of results, and editing of the search profile. The support facilities needed by different types of users in each task are outlined.