Flexible retrieval based on the vector space model

This paper describes the current state of our system for structured retrieval. The system itself is based on an extension of the vector space model initially proposed by Fox [5]. The basic functions are performed using the Smart experimental retrieval system [11]. The major advance achieved this year is the inclusion of a flexible capability, which allows the system to retrieve at a desired level of granularity (i.e., at the element level). The quality of the resultant statistics is largely dependent on issues (in particular, ranking) which have yet to be resolved.