Models of index searching and retrieval effectiveness of keyword‐in‐context indexes
A. Neil Yerkey · Journal of the American Society for Information Science · 1973
Abstract The retrieval effectiveness of Keyword‐In‐Context indexing is sought using a simple search simulation which constrains the “user” to approach a KWIC index with subject keywords and references dictated by a conventional index. This study shows that a KWIC index will allow retrieval of at least 50% of the articles found in a conventional index, if the former is approached with the same subject concepts as are 100% successful in the latter. A comparison of several KWIC index studies, using various methodologies, tends to show retrievability ratios of 35%‐70%.