A system for the automatic retrieval of information from a specialist database

Accessing useful information from a complex database requires knowledge of the structure of the database and an understanding of the methods of information retrieval. A means of overcoming this knowledge barrier to the use of narrow-domain databases is proposed in which the user is required to enter only a series of terms which identify the required material. A method which classifies terms according to their meaning in the context of the database and which uses this classification to access and execute modules of code stored in the database to effect retrieval is described. An implementation of the method using a database of technical information on the nature and use of fungicides is presented. Initial results of trials with potential users indicate that the system can produce relevant responses to queries expressed in this style. Since the code modules are part of the database, extensions may be easily implemented to handle most queries which users are likely to pose.