LISc. 559: Information Processing and Retrieval [Theory]

Full Marks: 60

Lecture Hrs.: 48

Credit Hrs.:   3

Course Objectives

Information processing and retrieval (IPR) system refers to a series of activities carried out in any library and information Centre ranging from selection and collection of relevant information i.e. documents to processing, organization, storage, dissemination, retrieval and delivery of information required by users and evaluation of these activities for further improvement of the IPR system. It is IPR system which determines the success or failure of any library and information system. On this background, this course in designed to provide detail and in-depth theoretical knowledge in every aspect of IPR covering from the basic concepts of IPR to organization of knowledge content analysis, knowledge representation, advanced cataloguing and classification, knowledge base system, planning and designing of information retrieval system, indexing concepts, indexing languages, thesaurus construction, information consolidation and repackaging, retrieval process such as searching and search strategies, evaluation of information retrieval system etc.


The course aims at imparting detail theoretical knowledge about information processing and retrieval (IPR) system among students in order to make them capable of designing and developing an efficient IPR system suitable for storing, searching, retrieving and presenting information tailored to clientele's needs, The major objectives of the course are to:

- Introduce basic concept of IPR and its various activities; Provide basic knowledge in designing and developing IPR system;

- Impart in-depth knowledge in advanced cataloguing specially for non- book materials for both manual and computerized systems;

- Familiarize with advanced classification schemes like UDC, CC classification schemes etc.;

- Enhance in-depth knowledge in indexing concepts system and indexing languages;

- Develop skill for designing and constructing thesaurus;

- Acquaint with theoretical knowledge and skill in information consolidation and repackaging techniques;

- Provide detail knowledge in literature search and search strategy using different

search operations in order to search required information from local databases CD- ROM databases and on line database through INTERNET and INTRANET; and

- Give basic knowledge about evaluation of IPR system.

Unit/Course Content                                             Teaching Hrs

Unit I: Information Retrieval System 8

-Basic concept
-Information generators, Users and managers Information processing for retrieval
- Information delivery and feedback

Unit 2: Intellectual Organization of Information
-Bibliographic control
-Advance classification schemes
-Knowledge of Universal Decimal Classification 8

Unit 3: Knowledge Representation 8
-Introduction to variety of models for representing knowledge
-Different approaches of models as -psychology, antropology and linguistics
-Postulational approach to classifcation

Unit 4: Planning and Designing of Information Retrival System 4
-Objectives
-Function
-Performance

Unit 5: Information Processing for Consolidation 8
-Abstracting services : informative, indicative, etc.
-Importance and needs
-Techniques, style and methods
-Types

Unit 6 : Indexing 8
-Meaning and Purpose
-Objective
-Natural Indexing language
-Controlled Indexing Language
-Free Indexing Language
-Pre-coordinate Indexing Systems
-Post-coordinate indexing Systems

Unit 7: Evaluation of Information Retrieval System 4
1. Purpose and Objectives
2. Methods.

Suggested Readings:

Aitchison J and Gilchrist: Thesaurus Construction : A Practical Manual London, Aslib 1972

American Library Association et. Al.: Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules. 2"d rev. ed. Chicago, ALA, 1988.Bajpai, S.K.: Modem Information Retrieval. New Delhi, Ess. Ess. Pub. 1999.

British Standard Institute:Universal Decimal Classification; London, BS lOOOa,1995.

Chawdhary, G.G.: Information Retrieval System. London, Library Association, 1999. Clevelan, D. B. and Cleveland A. : Abstracting. 2nd ed. Libraries Unlimited,1990

Fosket, A. C.:The Subject Approach to Information 5th ed. London, Library Association Publishing ,1996

IASLIC : Indexing Systems: Course Materials for IASLIC Special Courses Calcutta IASLIC 1976.

ISO Handbook on Documentation and Information 1985

Krishna Kumar: Theory of Classification, New Delhi, Vilcas,1991

Lancaster, F. W. :Indexing and Abstracting in Theory and Practice. Library Association, 1991.

Lancaster, F. W. : Information Retrieval Systems Characteristics, Testing and Evaluation 2nd ed. New York, Wileny 1979

Macro-thesaurus for Information Processing in the Field of Economy and Social Development/ updated by Amme Di Lauro and Alis Watson. 4th ed. Paris, OECD UN,1998

Prasher, R. G : Indexing and Indexing System. New Delhi, Medallion Press, 1989. Ranganathan S. R.: Colon Classification 6th ed. With Amendments Bombay, Asia 1963.

RAO, I. K. Ravichandra :Library Automation. 2nd ed. New Delhi, New Age International, 1992.

Riaz, Mohamand: Modern Techniques of Documentation and Information work Delhi Royal Publication ,1992.

Richard, Fothergil and Ian, Bulchart: Non-book Materials in Libraries a Practical

Guide 3rd ed. London, Library Association, 1990.

Seetharama, S: Information Consolidation and Repackaging. Framework, Methodology, Planning, New Delhi, Ess-Ess Publications,1997

UNESCO Thesaurus. Paris, UNESCO, 1995.

Weihs, Jean: Non-book Materials, The Organization of Integrated Collection. 3rd ed. Ottawa Canadian library Association 1989 ..

Westby, B. M. ed.: Sears Lists of Subject Headings, 16th ed., New York.