Improving Document Retrieval through a Browsable Interface: The Dimensional Document Store

The corporate world must take advantage of the trillions of dollars worth of intangible assets (in the form of knowledge) it possesses. Specialized Knowledge Management Systems (KMSs) are being developed to leverage these assets, and a critical issue is finding the most effective way for users to retrieve needed information from organizational knowledge stores. Research has detailed the problems inherent in using keyword searches, as well as the use of visual knowledge hierarchies to overcome some of these problems. This paper describes an experiment that will extend that research by addressing whether it is easier to find information in a large knowledge artifact store through a “browseable” dimensional document store or by performing a full-text search.