Search

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Purpose: In this paper, we provide a concise overview of the researches that address the search and selection of adult literature, with special emphasis on the search for yet unknown material, especially in the online environment. Methodotogy/approach: We performed a comparative critical review of the available literature. We reviewed researches by domestic and foreign authors, especially in the field of library and information science. Results: In the studies, the search for literature is highlighted as a strongly context-related process where the combination of the readers' searching skills, their knowledge, personal and affective factors, and well-functioning interaction with the system results in a more or less successful literary book selection. The basic functions of literature are to provoke a certain state of mind in the reader or to communicate the author's view, judgment. A good fiction search system should also include these aspects tailored to individual types of readers. In order to create more appropriate systems for literature readers, we need additional, both qualitative and extensive evaluation user studies. Research limitations: Only researches addressing the search for adult literature were included in the analysis of information retrieval behavior. We have not considered studies on the search for non-fiction, nor studies on the search for fiction for children. The review was limited to sources published in English, Italian and Slovenian language. Originality/practical implications: By reviewing the research areas and research methods used, we determined the coverage of researches that address the issue of finding and selecting literature for adults. In this context we identified yet unexplored gaps and developed substantive and methodological guidelines for further work. At the same time, we offered a theoretical basis for the further development of the recommended literature portal Dobreknjige.si and other consulting services for literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents individual differences, which are found in studies of information retrieval with emphasis on models of personality traits, cognitive and learning styles. It pays special attention to those models which are most often included in studies of information behaviour, information seeking, perceptions of IR systems, etc., but also brings forward some models which have not yet been included in such studies. Additionally, the relationship between different individual characteristics and individual's chosen profession or academic area is discussed. In this context, the paper presents how investigation of individual differences can be useful in the design of IR systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper brings an overview of information visualization field, concentrating on its application to information retrieval systems. It presents the basis of information visualization and the reasons that implicate the use of visualization in information retrieval systems. It also discusses the selection of the right visualization technique and portrays some examples of visualization. Special attention is given to evaluation problems and results of information retrieval visualizations that were made so far. Even though studies have not proved information retrieval to be more successful with the use of visualization, it seems that researchers still believe in the power and the advantages of visualization and continue to look for a technique that would prove that. The authors conclude that with the changes on the web and the progress made in information retrieval systems, the time for visualization that would live up to its expectations might only be coming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We scientometrically examined selected publishing patterns in organic farming as indexed by database CAB Abstracts (CABA) in the period 1973-2003. Some characteristics of CABA were also established. 4,170 records of all types (2,740 journal articles, 1,165 conference papers etc.) were harvested with the employment of descriptors derived from the CAB Thesaurus. The journal articles were further analyzed for yearly growth, languages, authorship, and geographic location. Growth has accelerated during the last ten years. English prevails among the 31 retrieved languages, with some 50 % citations, followed by German, Italian, French, and Japanese. A few highly productive authors (among the 4,304 different authors), with some publishing as many as 18 articles, accounted for the core of documents, whereas as many as 3,438 authors contributed only one article in the entire period. Germany was most frequently indexed as a geographic-location-descriptor, followed by Italy, U.K., Denmark, and Switzerland. This descriptor field, however, is not employed consistently so the geographic data must be interpreted with caution. This analysis is based mostly on descriptor Organic farming so some other terms could possibly also be employed to retrieve more documents related to this field of research.