Complex objects and transitive relationships

Integration of complex objects and transitive relationships for information retrieval

Kalervo Järvelin & Timo Niemi

Department of Computer Science
University of Tampere
P.O.Box 607
FIN-33101 TAMPERE, Finland

REFERENCE

Järvelin, K. & Niemi, T. (1997). Integration of complex objects and transitive relationships for information retrieval. University of Tampere, Department of Computer Science, Report A-1997-11. 61 p.

Abstract

In this paper we show that in advanced information retrieval (IR) applications capabilities for data aggregation, transitive computation and NF2 (non-first normal form)relational computation are often necessary. We demonstrate that complex objects are naturally modeled as NF2 relations whereas structures like hierarchical thesauri and citation networks must be modeled for transitive computation. Transitive processing cannot be supported by structurally static structures like NF2 relations. We present a truly declarative query interface which integrates data aggregation, transitive computation and NF2 relational computation. Thus the interface supports the retrieval and structural manipulation of complex objects (e.g., documents, bibliographic references), their retrieval through transitive relationships (e.g., thesauri, citations) and data aggregation based on their components (e.g., citation counts, author productivity). Most importantly, users can formulate queries on a high abstraction level without mastering actual programming or database techniques.

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