RABBIT: An interface for database access

ABSTRACT

A new kind of user interface for information retrieval has been designed and implemented to aid users in formulating a query. The system, called RABBIT, relies upon a new paradigm for retrieval by reformulation, based on a psychological theory of human remembering. The paradigm actually evolved from an explicit attempt to design a 'natural' interface which imitated human retrieval processes. To make a query in RABBIT, the user interactively refines partial descriptions of his target item(s) by criticizing successive example (and counterexample) instances that satisfy the current partial description. Instances from the database are presented to the user from a perspective inferred from the user's query description and the structure of the knowledge base. Among other things, this constructed perspective reminds users of likely terms to use in their descriptions, enhances their understanding of the meaning of given terms, and prevents them from creating certain classes of semantically improper query descriptions. RABBIT particularily facilitates users who approach a database with only a vague idea of what it is that they want and who thus, need to be guided in the (re)formulation of their queries. RABBIT is also of substantial value to casual users who have limited knowledge of a given database or who must deal with a multitude of databases.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT
      H.2.2 Physical Design
          Subjects: Access methods

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.3 Information Search and Retrieval
          Subjects: Query formulation

General Terms:
Design, Management