We present a model for representing relevance and classification decisions of
multiple catalogers in the context of a hierarchical bibliographical database.
The model is based on the Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence. Concepts
like ambiguous relevance, inexact classification, and pooled classification, are
discussed using the nomenclature of belief functions and Dempster's rule.
The model thus gives a normative framework in which one can describe and
address many problematic phenomena which characterize the way people
classify and retrieve documents.Information Systems Working Papers Serie