A methodology for the automatic construction of a hypertext for information retrieval

Abstract

The paper addresses the problem of the automatic construction of a hypertext to be used for Information Retrieval (IR) purposes. The starting point is modelling a set of raw IR data by means of a conceptual schema. The conceptual schema produced for a specific IR application domain provides the user with a frame of reference in the query formulation process. This schema can be implemented by means of a hypertext tool using a set of automatic techniques for the identification of nodes and links. The hypertext tool can be used for querying processing, as an automatic tool of query expansion, and for browsing, enabling the user to query and move through the IR data using different levels of abstraction. This paper describes the modelling and design process and concentrates on the set of automatic techniques to be used for the automatic construction of the IR hypertext.