A probabilistic model of information retrieval: development and comparative experiments Part 1

The paper combines a comprehensive account of a probabilistic model of retr ieval with new systematic experiments on TREC Programme material. It presen ts the model from its foundations through its logical development to cover more aspects of retrieval data and a wider range of system functions. Each step in the argument is matched by comparative retrieval tests, to provide a single coherent account of a major line of research. The experiments demo nstrate, for a large test collection, that the probabilistic model is effec tive and robust, and that it responds appropriately, with major improvement s in performance, to key features of retrieval situations. Part 1 covers the foundations and the model development for document collec tion and relevance data, along with the test apparatus. Part 2 covers the f urther development and elaboration of the model, with extensive testing, an d briefly considers other environment conditions and tasks, model training, concluding with comparisons with other approaches and an overall assessmen t. Data and results tables for both parts ave given in Part 1. Key results are summarised in Part 2. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.