Extending Retrieval with Stepping Stones and Pathways

每天都有数以百万计的信息检索系统用户寻找有用的信息，但许多人对收到的结果感到沮丧。通常，当将查询拆分为涵盖信息需求的不同但相互关联的方面的部分时，可以找到更好的结果。有时需要一组（2-3）个文档作为答案，而不是一个单独的文档。这个项目研究用户查询的另一种解释和结果的表示。当用户对集合的理解与实际集合内容不匹配时，它有可能改善检索结果。采用了一种概率检索方案：基于信念网络的框架，该框架可以组合多个证据来源；以及文档、集群（组）和关系（例如，引用或超文本链接）级别的用户反馈。这种解释中的查询结果是表示主题的文档组网络，每个组与网络中部分回答用户信息需求的其他组相关并连接。新的和更有效的表示和技术帮助用户可视化这些结果。用户是检索过程的一部分，可以操纵网络内容。该系统可以以一种远远超出传统相关性反馈的方式，为用户的需求提供更深层次的支持。这个项目将涉及许多学生（包括少数民族和代表性不足的群体）进行信息检索研究，从而产生一些世界可访问的电子论文和学位论文，并改进搜索方法。由于这项研究，科学家和一般公众应该能够更容易地寻找复杂问题的答案。开发的软件和收集将提供给其他研究人员。研究结果将在研讨会和会议上与美国在线（AOL）等公司分享，并在该项目的网站（http://fox.cs.vt.edu/SSP/）上公布。

Millions of users of information retrieval systems each day seek useful items, but many are frustrated with the results received. Often, better results can be found when a query is split into parts that cover different but connected aspects of the information need. Sometimes a small set of (2-3) documents is needed as an answer instead of a single document.This project researches an alternative interpretation of user queries and presentation of the results. It has the potential to improve retrieval results whenever there is a mismatch between a user's understanding of the collection and the actual collection content. A probabilistic retrieval scheme is employed with: a framework based on belief networks which can combine multiple sources of evidence; and user feedback at document, cluster (group), and relationship (e.g., citation or hypertext link) levels.Query results in this interpretation are networks of document groups representing topics, each group relating and connected to other groups in the network that partially answer the user's information need. New and more effective representations and techniques help users visualize these results. The user is part of the retrieval process, and can manipulate the network of content. The system can provide deeper support of the user's need, in a way that goes well beyond traditional relevance feedback.This project will involve scores of students (including those in minority and under-represented groups) in information retrieval studies, leading to several world-accessible electronic theses and dissertations, and improved search methods. Because of this research, scientists and the public in general should be able to more easily search for answers to complex questions. Software and collections developed will be available to other researchers. Results will be shared at workshops and conferences and with companies such as AOL, and made available at the project's Web site (http://fox.cs.vt.edu/SSP/).