Improving Result Adaptation through 2-step Retrieval

Abstract. In this paper we present the retrieval and adaptation mechanisms used in our information system on travel medicine, docQuery. The retrieval method’s main feature is an overall improved accuracy of retrieval results ’ similarities through a more diverse distribution of similarities over the retrieved result sets. Its underlying idea is the execution of several consecutive retrievals on one case base, where attributes from the cases resulting from the first query are used to refine a subsequent query in order to yield better results than the first retrieval. The refined result sets narrow down the search space for cases to be used in result adaptation, which improves adaptation quality. The mechanisms are implemented in the docQuery information system on travel medicine.