Feature evalution of a full‐text information‐retrieval system
J. Richard Rinewalt · Online Review · 1977
Evaluations of on‐line information‐retrieval systems have been largely dependent upon monitoring of users' searches and the cooperation of users in interviews and questionnaires. Since users have a variety of information needs and levels of experience, the evaluation process has been difficult. This paper describes and presents the results of a series of experiments designed to evaluate selected features of a full‐text information‐retrieval system in a controlled environment. Features are evaluated on the basis of their development and implementation cost and their effect on user performance and system load. A figure of merit is developed for each feature, and the results of statistical tests to determine the validity of these measurements are presented.