Information retrieval: an overview of system characteristics.

The paper gives an overview of characteristics of information retrieval (IR) systems. The characteristics are identified from the descriptions of 23 IR systems. Four IR models are discussed: the Boolean model, the vector model, the probabilistic model and the connectionistic model. Twelve other characteristics of IR models are identified: search intermediary, domain knowledge, relevance feedback, natural language interface, graphical query language, conceptual queries, full-text IR, field searching, fuzzy queries, hypertext integration, machine learning, and ranked output. Finally, the relevance of IR systems for the World Wide Web is established.