Introduction to modern information retrieval.

Introduction to modern information retrieval. Chowdhury, G G Introduction to modern information retrieval information retrievalRecovery of information, especially in a database stored in a computer. Two main approaches are matching words in the query against the database index (keyword searching) and traversing the database using hypertext or hypermedia links. .London: Library Association Publishing, 1999. 452p 39.95 [poundssterling] soft ISBN ISBNabbr.International Standard Book NumberISBNInternational Standard Book NumberISBNn abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m1856043185 (available from James Bennett Pty ltd) CHOWDHURY'S NEW TEXT SUCCEEDS ADMIRABLY IN ITS AIM TO BRINGTOGETHER traditional theory of `classification, cataloguing and subjectindexing as well as new, more IT-oriented, principles, models andtechniques of information retrieval.' The coverage is broad, comprising twenty-three chapters. The firsteleven chapters are devoted to what, in Australia, would be described asthe theory of information organisation. Subject areas covered includebasic concepts, database technology, bibliographic formats, subjectanalysis, indexing, vocabulary control, and abstracting; these topicsare followed by two chapters on the search process and users, and afurther two chapters on the evaluation of information retrieval systems.Chapters 12 to 23 are devoted to various technologies, such as onlineinformation retrieval, CD-ROM information retrieval, multimedia,hypertext and hypermedia hypermedia:see hypertext. The use of hyperlinks, regular text, graphics, audio and video to provide an interactive, multimedia presentation. All the various elements are linked, enabling the user to move from one to another. systems, intelligent information retrieval,natural language processing Natural language processingComputer analysis and generation of natural language text. The goal is to enable natural languages, such as English, French, or Japanese, to serve either as the medium through which users interact with computer systems such as , interfaces and retrieval systems, theinternet and lastly a chapter on trends in information retrieval. Eachchapter concludes with a reference list, and a short index is provided. While this work is extensive, it could not be described as anintroductory text. Students or practicing information professionals whoare not already familiar with the area would find it difficult tonegotiate alone, and without recourse A phrase used by an endorser (a signer other than the original maker) of a negotiable instrument (for example, a check or promissory note) to mean that if payment of the instrument is refused, the endorser will not be responsible. to other texts for furtherexplanations. New students, in particular, would find the textchallenging and would need assistance in negotiating the ideas.Introduction to modern information retrieval is more like a referencetool drawing together an extensive database of sources, the theory fromeach of which is treated in a limited, rather than a detailed, way Itwould serve well as a source book for research students, a text foradvanced courses, or a reference for professionals with an existingbackground knowledge and experience in information retrieval processesand technologies. Chowdhury's text is clearly the outcome of considerable andextended scholarship. In its focus it shows a strong technical andsystems orientation. Given the scope of the work, however, its limitedattention to users, both information professionals and lay persons thatmake use of the systems is disappointing. Christine Bruce, Queensland University of Technology