Cross-concordances: terminology mapping and its effectiveness for information retrieval

TL;DR

This paper discusses the creation and evaluation of cross-concordances, which are mappings between controlled vocabularies, to improve information retrieval across social sciences and other subjects.

Contribution

It presents a large-scale terminology mapping initiative and evaluates its effectiveness in enhancing information retrieval systems.

Findings

Over 500,000 relations established between vocabularies

Evaluation shows improved retrieval performance

Cross-concordances facilitate interdisciplinary information access

Abstract

The German Federal Ministry for Education and Research funded a major terminology mapping initiative, which found its conclusion in 2007. The task of this terminology mapping initiative was to organize, create and manage 'cross-concordances' between controlled vocabularies (thesauri, classification systems, subject heading lists) centred around the social sciences but quickly extending to other subject areas. 64 crosswalks with more than 500,000 relations were established. In the final phase of the project, a major evaluation effort to test and measure the effectiveness of the vocabulary mappings in an information system environment was conducted. The paper reports on the cross-concordance work and evaluation results.