The Search Process

The sequence of events to be supported was defined in the following way:

• The user enters the initial query and presses the Return key to search.

• The system presents a) the top-ranking document from the search results, and b) a list of ``suggested'' additional search terms from the thesaurus.

• The user examines the first document and makes a relevance judgement. Within the scope of the current query, he or she can then repeatedly choose between the following options:
  • examine and judge the next document in the hit-list,
  • look at the hit-list and select from it documents to examine,
  • navigate the thesaurus to identify other terms,
  • modify the query by adding or deleting terms,
  • undertake an expanded search with the modified query,
  • print out details of selected items.

• The user may decide to undertake a different search with a completely new query, in which case the whole of the above sequence is repeated.

• Finally, the user may quit the session.