Activity 4 : Question 2

:: Federated Search ::

Definition

Federated searching is a simultaneous search of multiple online databases or web resources and is an emerging feature of automated, web-based library and information retrieval systems. It works as a tool to help users identify the databases that are best suited to the subjects they are researching. It allows users to search across multiple resources: subscription databases, library catalogs, and web sites. It has other names as well - metasearch, parallel search, broadcast searching.

There is a large amount of content that is not available to crawl-type search engines like Google. Federated search engines, in particular ones that perform deep web searches, are required to access this additional content like scientific, technical, and business databases.

Federated searching consists of:
(1) Transforming a query and broadcasting it to a group of disparate databases or other web resources, with the appropriate syntax
(2) Merging the results collected from the databases
(3) Presenting them in a succinct and unified format with minimal duplication
(4) Providing a means, performed either automatically or by the portal user, to sort the merged result set.


Technologies

Federated search software uses standardized protocols to access databases. The most common protocol used is Z39.50. Some target databases that do not comply with the Z39.50 standard can still be searched using "translator" programs that convert the query format of the federated system into the format of the native system. However, many information resources do not make their query protocols public, and thus they cannot be searched using a federated search engine. The search results that are retrieved from various targets may be deduplicated to reduce extraneous results. Some systems also rank results by relevancy or permit some other type of sorting.

User authentication is another necessary technology for federated search systems. This stems from the use of licensing agreements that libraries sign with vendors. These agreements typically limit access to certain groups or numbers of users affiliated with an institution or consortia.


How federated search works

Federated search engines use software "connectors" to access information sources. The federated search engine takes the user's search query, transforms the search terms to match each content source's requirements, and submits the query to each of the sources simultaneously. When the search results come back from each of the sources, the federated search engine merges them together, modifying the look and feel of each of the result pages to have a single look and feel.

A connector is a piece of software that is written to access a content source. A connector must know the URL of the source, how to send search commands, what the search syntax is, and how to process the search results that are returned from a source. Connectors can be challenging to write if access to a source requires handling multiple steps, URL redirection, cookies, sessions, or authentication methods.

A web patron seeking science information comes to a gateway site, like Science.gov, and enters a query. The query is transmitted to the gateway server and then it is fanned out to a suite of databases across the entire world. At each database, the query launches a search and brings back a hit list. The list is then transmitted back to the gateway server, where the hits are relevancy ranked and presented to the web patron. So, in the span of about 20 seconds, the query is transmitted to numerous databases, searches are executed at numerous databases, and the results are brought back and ranked for the patron.

Federated search drills down to the deep web where scientific databases reside. Unlike the popular search engines, federated search places no burden on the database owners.

Organizations

Science Accelerator is a gateway to science, including R&D results, project descriptions, accomplishments, and more, via resources made available by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI), U.S. Department of Energy. Science Accelerator was developed and is made available by OSTI as a free public service.

Science.gov is a gateway to government science information and research results. Currently in its fifth generation, Science.gov provides a search of over 40 scientific databases and 200 million pages of science information with just one query, and is a gateway to 1,950+ scientific websites.

WorldWideScience.org is a global science gateway connecting users to national and international scientific databases and portals. WorldWideScience.org accelerates scientific discovery and progress by providing one-stop searching of global science sources. The WorldWideScience Alliance, a multilateral partnership, consists of participating member countries and provides the governance structure for WorldWideScience.org.

Deep Web Technologies host a federated search application in their data center and deploy it in hosting environment. Additionally, they can maintain customer’s application, including monitoring and updating of connectors as needed. They also provide a needs assessment, consulting services, deployment and maintenance training, custom software development and look-and-feel design service. Deep Web Technologies' flagship product is its Explorit Research Accelerator federated search application. The product can be customized for specialized customer needs, both in terms of look-and-feel and to add functionality. Deep Web Technologies develops connectors for a wide range of content databases and will create custom connectors to meet customer’s needs.


Strengths

1. One search interface for multiple resources from different database providers eliminates the need for the user to learn how to use the different search interfaces of all the individual databases.
2. Increasing the size of the collection searched may help improve the number of articles retrieved.
3. The searcher may be exposed to relevant content from resources that s/he may not have been familiar with.


Limitations

1. The lack of a uniform authentication standard means that some databases are inaccessible to federated search engines.
2. True, full, deduplication is impossible because databases download results in small sets and metadata standards vary by resource.
3. Relevancy ranking is limited by the quality of the metadata, which usually does not include abstracts or full-text information.
4. Although federated search systems are fundamentally software, they must be implemented and managed as a service, which takes a great deal of resources.
5. Federated search engines cannot improve on the native interface in terms of search accuracy and precision.


Sources

1. http://www.altsearchengines.com/2009/01/11/federated-search-finds-content-that-google-cant-reach-part-i-of-iii/
2. http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6571320.html
3. http://www.infotoday.com/IT/oct03/hane1.shtml
4. http://lu.com/odlis/odlis_f.cfm
5. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alcts/resources/org/cat/research/fed_search.cfm
6. http://www.ereleases.com/pr/deep-web-technologies-developing-multilingual-translator-federated-search-25166
7. http://www.osti.gov/fedsearch#federated
8. http://guides.mysapl.org/esources
9. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federated_search

Annotated Webliography

:: Annotated Webliography ::
By : Noor Husna binti Mohamad Zayadi (WGB090005)
Topic : Health, Medical and Medicine

Health is "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity".

Medicine is the art and science of healing. It encompasses a range of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness.

The importance of health and wellness has certainly come to the forefront of the health industry in the last decade. It is reflected by the fact that diets, weight loss programs, exercise programs and equipment, fitness facilities, spas, nutritional supplements and activity/leisure groups of all sorts are now commonplace in our everyday lives. Some of these changes are driven by the extreme demands and long waits for treatment in the health care system, but also by the desire of the working generation for a more active lifestyle after retirement, with the hope of being fit and well enough to participate in their chosen activities. For these goals to manifest into reality the base of good health must be built up throughout life, not just to try to repair the damage after it's been done.

This webliography compiles 25 websites and online articles of 25 different aspects/topics of health, medical and medicine. It is arranged alphabetically by topics and each entry contains few lines of information about the website/article and it's URL.

1. Acupuncture
Joseph M Helms, M.D.
American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
This article defines the theoretical matrix and clinical value of the emerging complementary discipline of medical acupuncture. The acupuncture approach most commonly integrated by physicians into conventional medical practice. Information provided in this article ranging from history and development of acupuncture, diagnosis, treatment, effects, training to prospects for the future.
http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/acu_info/articles/helmsarticle.html

2. Allergies
Medical Author: Alan Szeftel, MD, FCCP
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. This site provides comprehensive information about allergies, from allergies causes, symptoms, signs, treatment and medicine. It also provides A-Z list of allergies articles. The information provided are trusted as this site is authored by a network of U.S. Board Certified Physicians and Allied Health Professionals working together to provide the public with current, comprehensive medical information, written in easy to understand language.
http://www.medicinenet.com/allergy/article.htm

3. Aromatherapy
AromaWeb, LCC.
AromaWeb is an award-winning and frequently referenced informational aromatherapy Web site that supplies extensive content and coverage of the field of aromatherapy. AromaWeb offers an extensive and growing collection of articles spanning different issues and topics pertaining to aromatherapy including aromatherapy safety, historical information, aromatherapy applications and ingredient information.
http://www.aromaweb.com/default.asp

4. Asthma
YourAsthmaTreatment.com
Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory disorder of the respiratory air-passage. Although symptoms do not exist all the time; but during an asthma attack, normal air passage through the blocked and narrow airways becomes difficult, resulting in breathing problems, panting, coughing, or other associated symptoms. This website provides comprehensive information about asthma which includes asthma causes, symptoms, types, treatment and other asthma issues.
http://www.yourasthmatreatment.com/

5. Back Pain Remedies
Cure for back pain Honest & understandable info on back pain & treatments.
This website features a vast number of articles about various types of back pain and treatment options. The author of this site is Sensei Adam Rostocki, who is a recovered patient of lower back pain for 18 years. This site is written exclusively from a patient's point of view as it applies to Sensei's own personal experiences.
http://www.cure-back-pain.org/

6. Cough
The air passages of the lungs are lined with cells secreting mucus, which normally traps particles of dust. When the membranes get infected and inflamed, the secretion of mucus increases and the lining of the air passages is irritated. Coughing is the action by which excess mucus is driven out. This article contains information on cough symptoms, causes, remedy, diet and treatment.
http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Cough.html

7. Cracked Heels
Cracked heels are a sign of lack of attention to foot care rather than just overexposure or lack of moisturizing. Medically, cracked heels are also known as heel fissures. Fissures are regular linear cut wounds and mostly affect the surface level which comprises of the epidermis. This article provides information on symptoms, causes, basic home remedies and diet for cracked heels.
http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Cracked-Heels.html

8. Diet
Diet Health, Inc. DIET.com Everything about Diet.
Diet.com has partnered with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Wal-Mart Associate Program, and other leading health care stakeholders to provide a proven platform for healthy weight loss and nutrition. This site represent enormous information on diet including diet program, diet recipes, exercise demo, nutrition encyclopedia of diet A-Z.
http://www.diet.com/

9. Diabetes
Online Diabetes Symptoms is a website which provides information about diabetes. This website's goal is to help with the care and treatment of diabetes including diagnosing the symptoms. Information provided includes diabetes symptoms, care, treatment and supplies. This site also receive and store any information users enter on the website for such purposes as responding to their requests, and communicating with users.
http://www.diabetessymptomsonline.com/

10. Exercise
Exercise Database Guide With Exercise Video Demonstrations
This site contains extensive guides of exercise. In this site users can select a muscle group to see all available exercises. Each individual exercise page will tell the primary muscle trained, secondary muscles trained, equipment needed, mechanics type, and teach proper exercise technique. Each exercise includes pictures and a video demonstration.
http://www.criticalbench.com/exercises/exercises.htm

11. Eye Care

eyecare123.com
This site provides resources and information about basic eye care, eye care and fashion, eye care terms, vision needs, contact lens, eye care products. eyecare123.com is constantly placing new information, articles, pictures, and more about eye care.

http://www.eyecare123.com/

12. Fever
This article explains information on fever ranging from definition, signs, symptoms, causes, risks, diagnose, treatment and seizures. Fever is a symptom of a disease or infection. It is not a disease. Fever helps the body fight infections by making the body's defense systems work more efficiently. Bacteria and viruses cannot live at higher temperatures and are killed by fever.
http://www.mamashealth.com/fever.asp

13. Flu Guide
WebMD, LLC.
Need to learn more about flu — the symptoms, prevention, treatment, and natural remedies? While flu symptoms may seem harmless, the flu can be life threatening for some children and adults. Here you’ll find answers to all your flu questions along with a wealth of health resources to help you prevent flu. You’ll also learn how to treat flu symptoms if you or any of your family members get sick.
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/default.htm

14. Hair Care
Hair Care Guide.com provides free hair care tips on how to achieve healthy natural hair. Proper hair care will lead to healthier and better looking hair. Bad hair care tactics, or not taking care of your hair can lead to breakage, fly aways, frizzies, split ends, dull hair, and early hair loss. Users can begin improving hair care techniques by looking at the Hair Care Tips section of this website.
http://www.haircareguide.com/

15. Handling stress
Lauri M. Aesoph N.D.
6 Steps for Handling Stress.
Stress starts when your body is confronted with more than it can handle be it physical, emotional or mental. At first, your body prepares by increasing adrenalin production. You know the signs: pounding heart, heavy breathing, sweating, tense muscles. However, when stress persists, physical preparation turns into physical deterioration. This article provides simple suggestions how you can decrease the stress in your life.
http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?ID=264

16. Headache
This website is an online information service provided by Key IT Services. The entire content of this website includes everything about headache such as headache types, treatments, tests, diagnosis of symptoms, causes and information on migraine. It also contains up to 468 pages of articles regarding headache.
http://www.headacheupdates.com/migraine

17. Herbs
HerbNET - The Most Comprehensive Site for All Things Herbal
This website is for those seeking information on herbs, herb products and remedies, herb publications. It's information includes A-Z herbs and benefits for each herb. The information provided based on herb magazine produces by the company. This site is updated on a continual basis with the magazine arriving on the first Monday of each month.
http://www.herbnet.com/

18. Insomnia
Winter, Mick.
This article provides 42 simple tips to help readers get to sleep. These tips are all design to help readers deal with the tension, stress and anxiety that lead to insomnia, so that readers can enjoy a good night's sleep. However not every one of these insomnia techniques alone will get those having insomnia problem to sleep, but a few of them at least should prove useful. These tips are provided by the author based on his research, experiences and collected folk remedies.
http://www.well.com/~mick/insomnia/

19. Children Health
KidsHealth - the Web's most visited site about children health.
This website, which is divided into three parts, parents site, kids site and teens site provides information about health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years. KidsHealth is more than just the facts about health. As part of The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, KidsHealth also provides families with perspective, advice, and comfort about a wide range of physical, emotional, and behavioral issues that affect children and teens.
http://kidshealth.org/

20. Manicure
A manicure is a cosmetic beauty treatment for the fingernails and hands. A home manicure can treat just the hands, just the nails, or both. A standard manicure usually includes filing and shaping of the nails and the application of polish, but there are also specialty manicures, like: Salon Manicure, French Manicure, Spa Manicure. Information provided in this website includes home manicure tips, manicure kit, tool, manicure pedicure and products.
http://www.manicurespa.com/

21. Mouth Ulcer
Dom Walton
This web site is a public knowledge base for prevention, treatment and causes of mouth ulcers and associated ailments. Mouth ulcers, also called canker sores, aphthous stomata and recurrent aphthous stomatitis, mostly occur on the inner cheek, inner lip, tongue, soft palate, floor of the mouth, and sometimes the throat. From this website, user can get information on mouth ulcer prevention, protection, causes, treatment and featured articles.
http://www.mouthulcers.org/

22. Skin Care
The SkinCareGuide Network of dermatology-related websites was founded by a prestigious group of international dermatologists. It provides comprehensive information for patients and physicians about the skin, its care and various skin conditions and treatments. All content is reviewed by an independent Board of Medical Advisors to ensure that the information is accurate, unbiased and up-to-date.
http://www.skincareguide.com/

23. Stomach Ache
This article represent enormous tips on how to cure a stomach ache. It's content includes home remedies of curing stomach ache, over-the-counter medications, prevention, useful tips and a video of how to soothe an upset stomach. This article is developed by various authors and has been read 503,262 times.
http://www.wikihow.com/Cure-a-Stomach-Ache

24. Tooth Care
Tooth Care Tips from Experts - Complete info on Gum and Tooth Care
Sharp, throbbing pains and extremely painful toothaches can present themselves completely unannounced. Most of the time the cause for this alarming pain is some form of tooth decay caused by a medical condition, poor mouth and dental hygiene or a fractured or otherwise damaged tooth. This website contains extensive information on tooth and mouth care, remedies and treatments.
http://www.dentaldean.com/

25. Vitamins
The Vitamins and Nutrition Center
This site provides information on vitamins, the latest vitamins research, information on multivitamins, expert knowledge on vitamins and tips for proper supplementation with vitamins. The sections included in this website are vitamins guide, research, articles, information on minerals and helpful links.
http://www.vitamins-nutrition.org/