Gerald Benoît

Data discretization for novel relationship discovery in information retrieval

This article describes an information retrieval, visualization, and manipulation model. After term or phrases have been input for a query, the system designed on this model offers the user multiple ways to exploit the retrieval set via an interactive interface. The retrieved data are clustered into thematic concepts related to the query, represented on screen as a grid of nodes. Users of the system may manipulate the retrieval set to explore document-document, document-concept, concept-concept relationships in the retrieval set that might otherwise be masked by altering (a) the discrete grid size of the display, (b) the influence, or weight, of various document terms and properties, and (c) mixed levels of granularity. As these factors are reweighed, the display is updated in real-time to expose unanticipated document relationships, and shifts in cluster membership. The article outlines the mathematical model and then describes an information-retrieval application built on the model to search structured and full-text files. The application, written in Java, uses a small test collection of Dialog and Swiss-Prot documents.

Application of Markov chains in an interactive information retrieval system

This paper explores the application of Markov chains in an interactive information retrieval system. Building on the ideas of end-users state of uncertainty, the systems model of language use, application of the results of information seeking to a work situation, and the users feedback to the retrieval set through a graphic display of related nodes, the paper details how a Markov chain forms the basis of the IR process and whose transition probabilities are used in an interactive graphic user display to suggest preferred search paths. The transition probabilities between concepts related to the users query reflect the aggregate behavior of a limited group of information seekers; the transition-matrix of probabilities suggest to the user which concepts are related, and the impact his/her individual feedback will have on the next state. Furthermore, a graphic user display of interactive nodes visualizes the relationships of concepts and edges between nodes suggest the most likely path to follow in order to achieve a successful outcome. A Java application of the system was constructed and tested in a small group of computer help-desk staff in a university budget office. The conclusion suggests that Markov models that integrate the group preferences may make a more useful retrieval model for domain-specific work groups. Introduction The model of most information retrieval systems (IR) is based on matching an information seekers expression of need (the query) to a document collections representation of intellectual content and then presenting the retrieval set as a ranked hierarchical list (Baeza-Yates & Ribierto-Neto, 1999, 28). This model has generated useful retrieval systems, but in the end is lacking essentially because it isolates information seeking behavior of the individual from how the resources are evaluated and applied within a social group, and clouds the users interpretation of potential resources. While there is a rich literature of browsing, searching, and interface design, this paper proposes a Markov model of information retrieval (IR) that uses transition probabilities to guide information seeking behavior and group information seeking history to weight those probabilities. The whole was implemented in a Java application whose user interface reflects the underlying transition matrix. This paper details a Markov chain driven IR model. The motivation for this approach is based on potential weaknesses in traditional IR from the perspective of group awareness, query chains, and interactive visualization. a) Group awareness. Information seeking is not performed in a vacuum: the individual person looking for …

Measuring relevance theory's effects in an image-driven explorative information system

In information system, there are many techniques for extracting data, such as semantic elements from author, title, or subject tracings from MARC or other records, to express relationships within the data. The addition of visualization techniques stimulate the viewer because the graphic design of the data forms a purposive communicative act. Applying Sperber & Wilsons theory of relevance helps explicate a model of feature integration applicable to image-driven, user-guided exploration of digital collections. The model, implemented as an alternative search engine in a college library, is being tested in late 2012, and may result in creating a well-founded methodology for exploring repurposing digital objects for greater user engagement.

All‐visual retrieval: How people search and respond to an affect‐driven visual information retrieval system

The design of information retrieval (IR) systems must respond to the goals, intentionality and prior domain knowledge of the users. During focus groups conducted, end users complained that instead of looking for specific-items, they might be interested in a spectrum of concepts – all things related to something or all things of a particular color. To respond to these needs, an entirely visuals-driven information retrieval system project was developed using a test-bed of copyright-free images reflecting monographs, graphics, and work collections. In the absence of such IR systems, not much is known about how users will interact with a visuals-only retrieval system. This poster describes the project in general and its usage to explore (a) how users interact with graphic-only retrieval for exploring traditional and non-traditional access points and (b) how the affective component impacts the use of such systems. Findings based on the study will help shed light on research based on visual information systems and user behavior when interacting with such systems. The findings will be useful both in designing systems that respond to user needs, and add to prior research in information seeking and retrieval.

Integrating Use History as a Context for Dynamically Updated Metadata

The use of metadata, though popular and growing, has more potential. A series of focus groups identified properties of data that user groups would like to have, such as the history of an objects use in their information needs as well as capturing expressions of values in their work contexts. Together, these are labeled “use-context metadata.” Consequently, 3 major issues emerged and are expressed as a set model, architecture, and XML schema. These issues reflect changes in system users’ sense of role with the data, how work flow may be affected by integrating use-context metadata, and some computational issues, such as a single integrative metadata schema, successfully integrate administrative, descriptive, and use-context metadata.

The Beautiful in Information

At the intersection of retrieval and visualization are opportunities to learn more about IRs view of knowledge and evidence by considering Kantian and post-modern philosophies of aesthetics.

Link analysis: An information science approach

By reading, you can know the knowledge and things more, not only about what you get from people to people. Book will be more trusted. As this link analysis an information science approach, it will really give you the good idea to be successful. It is not only for you to be success in certain life you can be successful in everything. The success can be started by knowing the basic knowledge and do actions.

The ‘beautiful’ in information: thoughts about visual literacy and aesthetics

Abstract Many agencies have promulgated standards for visual literacy. These groups include libraries, museums, computer science and graphic designers. The implementation of these standards tends to be skill-based courses for production. Other, larger questions about visual literacy are eclipsed and the growing number of research areas investigating visual literacy has made a complicated, contradictory literature. The dominant stream of discourse in the humanities emphasizes cultural, historical and social-constructionist perspectives. An alternative perspective, which was dominant until the 1970s, still seems to lead the sciences, a pseudo-objectivist perspective. The theme of this essay is that considering visual literacy from a yet-earlier analysis, that of Immanuel Kant’s Critique of judgment about ‘beauty,’ may lead to a shareable discourse to advance our study about the interpretation of visuals and create a foundation to allow for individual and community-based interpretations, a middle-way between an entirely strict empiricist view and a hyper-relative socially constructed one. This approach may be controversial, but all the more useful to sparking discussion of deeper issues about interpretation and professionals’ advancement in visual literacy.

Visual Communication as an Information Activity

Abstract Visual literacy discussions and guidelines in LIS practice tend to be principle-driven concepts but are limited to an LIS discourse. In a casual tone, this paper reviews other expressions of what it means to be “informed” through visual means by using examples from literature, philosophy, and how end-users may think about visual resources.

Evolving curricula in LIS-focused bioinformatics programs

Introduction At the 2002 ASIST Bartlett & Toms, 2005), rather than taking an educational perspective.