Discovery system

A discovery system may be an artificial intelligence system (in the context of computer science, logic, and mathematics) or a bibliographical search system (in the context of library and information science).

Artificial intelligence

A discovery system is an artificial intelligence system that attempts to discover new scientific concepts or laws.

Notable discovery systems have included:

• Autoclass
• Automated Mathematician
• DALTON
• Eurisko
• Glauber
• Machine for Questions and Answers
• Stahl

Bibliographical search system

A discovery system is a bibliographic search system based on search engine technology. It is part of the concept of Library 2.0 and is intended to supplement or even replace the existing OPAC catalogs. These systems emerged in the late 2000s in response to user desire for a more convenient search option similar to that of internet search engine.

Typical features of a discovery system

• Large search space: A search can search the data from different data sources (the discovery system has a comprehensive central subject index). For example, you can search a journal article or a textbook directly in the discovery system and you do not have to change from a subject database to the library catalog.
• Intuitive usability, like a search engine. The search is basically only a simple form, an advanced search function is not always provided.
• Ranking of the results according to relevance: The "best" hit is displayed first, not necessarily the newest one. A good ranking is important because many hits are often found due to the large search space.
• Search refinement with drill-down menus (facets): For example, a search can be restricted to all matches available online.
• Correction of input errors via a "Did you mean ...?" function.
• Autocomplete: After input to the search field, a drop-down list of suggestions appears.
• Exploratory search: One finds results of interest that were not specifically requested. For example, links to similar hits, entries in subject databases, or Wikipedia articles are displayed (integration of other web technologies).

Examples of discovery system products

Commercial products:

• Summon (Serial Solutions)
• Primo Central (ExLibris)
• EBSCO Discovery Service
• WorldCat Discovery (OCLC)

Open Source products:

• VuFind (Villanova University Library)
• Lukida (GBV Common Library Network)

See also

• Karlsruher Virtueller Katalog as an example of a metacatalog

Further reading

• Heidrun Wiesenmüller: Informationskompetenz und Bibliothekskataloge. In: Wilfried Sühl-Strohmenger / Martina Straub (Hg.): Handbuch Informationskompetenz. De Gruyter Saur, Berlin 2012, p. 93–100.
• Klaus Niedermair: Gefährden Suchmaschinen und Discovery-Systeme die informationelle Autonomie? In: Mitteilungen der Vereinigung Österreichischer Bibliothekarinnen & Bibliothekare. Vol. 67, 2014, Nr. 1, p. 109–125.

External links

• Wiesenmüller, Heidrun (2012): Resource Discovery Systeme – Chance oder Verhängnis für die bibliothekarische Erschließung? Vortrag im Rahmen der Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Klassifikation, 1.–2. August 2012, Hildesheim