Expert systems and information retrieval

The existing bibliographic retrieval systems are too complex to permit direct on-line access by untrained end users. Expert system approaches have been introduced in the hope of simplifying the document indexing, search and retrieval operations and rendering these operations accessible to end users. The expert system approach is examined briefly in this note and the conclusion is reached that expert systems are unlikely to provide much relief in ordinary retrieval environments. Simpler and more effective retrieval systems than those currently in use can be implemented by falling back on methodologies proposed and evaluated over twenty years ago that operate without expert system intervention.