Golub, Koraljka.
(2003).
Subject retrieval in web-based library catalogs.
Master's Thesis (pre-Bologna). Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Information Science.
[mentor Lasić-Lazić, Jadranka].
Abstract
This thesis has been motivated by past research, problems and realizations that
online library catalog users frequently perform subject searches – using keywords,
subject headings and descriptors – and these searches have yielded unsatisfactory
results. Web-based catalogs or WebPACs (Web-based Online Public Access
Catalogs), belonging to the so-called third generation of online catalogs and
providing a wide variety of search options, remain largely underutilized despite the
continuous advancement of information retrieval systems. Users still encounter a number of problems, such as those related to translating their concepts to the language of the catalog’s system and cross-references prepared to this purpose.
Subject access in online library catalogs can be provided through different access points. To that purpose natural and controlled indexing and retrieval languages are used, and each among them has its advantages and downsides.
Natural language indexing is performed by the computer, in which process words
from defined fields are automatically extracted. Controlled indexing languages are
those in which selection of terms to be assigned to documents is manually
performed. These are, for example, classification systems, subject heading
languages and thesauri. During the 1970s, a consensus was reached that the best
retrieval results are gained when using both types of indexing languages
simultaneously. Apart from indexing languages, it is necessary to take into account
user search behavior; and while designing user interface one has to allow for the
users’ skills and knowledge - ensuring instruction, help and feedback information at
every step of the retrieval process.
The aim of the research was to determine the variety and quality of subject
access to information in WebPACs of British university libraries, including
searching by words or classification marks, natural and controlled languages,
browsing options, and forming simple and complex queries in order to conclude
about existing advancements, offered models and employed methods and compare
them to WebPACs of Croatian university libraries.
Item Type: |
Master's Thesis (pre-Bologna)
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Related URLs: |
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Uncontrolled Keywords: |
British university libraries, Croatian university libraries, indexing and retrieval systems, online library catalogs, subject access points, subject retrieval, user interface, user search behavior, WebPACs |
Subjects: |
Information sciences > Librarianship |
Departments: |
Department of Information Science |
Supervisor: |
Lasić-Lazić, Jadranka |
Date Deposited: |
04 Oct 2013 10:28 |
Last Modified: |
09 Jul 2014 13:31 |
URI: |
http://darhiv.ffzg.unizg.hr/id/eprint/2349 |
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