A user interface for simultaneos multi database searches

• Autore: Werner Robert Svoboda
• Pagine: 147-156

Page 147

@1. Introduction

In the years 1981 and 1982 the German Society for Information and Documentation (Gesellschaft fir Information und Dokumentation) conducted a project with the goal of developing a software package for the support of Intermediary user services,

Although this project did not deal specifically with the legal field, Its results are also of Interest for this area, for Intermediary services are gaining In Importance In the legal field as well (In many countries they are the largest clients' of available systems). The role of such services as Intermediary among various national and/or International systems Is also steadily growing.

In the empirical Investigations carried out during the project two distinct focal points among possible support functions crystallized:

- the function cluster "development and use of services' own databases" and

- the function cluster "retrieval and processing of search results from multiple external, databases" with the functions:

* referral as internal orientation aid for searching

* automated LOGON procedures

* standardized documentation and retrieval language

* merging and sorting of retrieved references from various databases, Including the elimination of redundancies.

These two dusters of functions do not necessarily represent alternatives; they overlap to various degrees at the different Intermediary services. Both clusters are supplemented by a number of other functions, e.g. Internal administrative functions, support during document delivery, training, etc, Numerous software packages have been developed for the functional duster development e and use of Internal databases" - also for mini and microcomputers - including very comfortable Input, search and output facilities as well as new approaches such as "relational database structure" or "hardware solutions to search processes".

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As of yet there exist .no operational software packages for the entire complex "retrieval and processing of search results from multiple external databases", although past funding and the currente Infrastructure (e.g. DIANE) concentrate on the use of external databases by Intermediary services. User aids for multi database search are therefore of particular Importance.

The specifications developed In this project for multiple database retrieval could form the basis for the Implementation of a virtual retrieval system based on the Common Command Language for search In networked heterogeneous databanks. The virtual retrieval system would be developed by means of a translator Interface In the search computer which would allow standard and user friendly access to various databanks using various retrieval systems.

@2. Development and use of internal databases by intermediary services

Intermediary services are not always satisfied with the Information supplied by large databank services, The available central databanks are often criticized:

- Information supplied by the databanks is too general for the needs of users;

- the quality of the presentation of references could be Improved;

- the retrieval of references alone Is of little use If It Is difficult or even Impossible to obtain the originals of the retrieved documents.

The use of small-scale computers offers Intermediary services the possibility of storing and retrieving from their own online data collections. The adavantages are:

- optimal adjustment of scope and depth, of evaluation to needs during inclusion of Information In the databank

- systematic storage and availability of infomatlon arising from the Intermediaries own wealth of experience, gathered In the course of his work

- cessation of difficulties arising from links to external mainframe computers (dependency, changes In system, low priority, Implementation of programs for Internal use, etc.)

- relatively low Investments for hardware and software

- no operating costs for telecommunication and computer time

- constant availability.

@3. Retrieval from multiple external databases

The Investigation Indicated a distinct need for all functions wlch would facilitate multi database search, especially In light of the current costs Incurred by complicated databank switching. These functions Include above all:

- referral as Internal orientation aid during search 148

- automatic LOGON (due to the large number of line disturbances, high telecommunications costs and as support during multiple searches)

- standardized documentation and command language (because of ideally simultaneous multiple retrieval)

- merging and sorting as well as elimination of redundancies (due to overlapping databanks during multiple searches).

3.1 Referral as internal orientation aid and as service

Access to instruments which lead to information is of twofold importance for intermediary services:

- as internal support for conducting searches

- as an additional service which increases the total value of the intermediary service.

This means that such referral aids must, on the one hand, provide the intermediary with tips as to which sources he should use for a particular search and how these sources are to be used. On the other hand, they should allow the intermediary to refer users to alternative or supplemental sources of information, in cases in which he...