Evaluation of the Retrieval of Nuclear Science Document References Using the Universal Decimal Classification as the Indexing Language for a Computer-Based System

A single issue of Nuclear Science Abstracts, containing about 2,300 abstracts, was indexed by Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) using the Special Subject Edition of UDC for Nuclear Science and Technology. The descriptive cataloging and UDC-indexing records formed a computer-stored data base. A systematic random sample of 500 additional abstracts, taken from a collection of about 196,000, was also indexed by UDC. An experimental design was developed such that the potential result of retrieval tests with the full collection could be inferred from actual results obtained from the two smaller data bases. Sixty questions were collected from nuclear science research organizations in North America and Europe. Two search analysts, neither of whom was familiar with the policies and practices of the indexers, formulated logical search statements with UDC numbers. The resulting queries were processed against the UDC-indexed data bases. They were also processed by two other information services. Twelve questions, a subset of the original sixty, were chosen for more detailed analysis. The results are presented in the report. (Author)