National Library of Medicine, Office of Acquisitions Management, Building 38A, Room B1N17, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894

B -- EVALUATION OF KNOWLEDGE-BASED EXPERT SYSTEM FOR SUBJECT INDEXING SOL NLM 95-101/EAS DUE 031595 POC Eve A. Schaefer, Contract Specialist/Mary M. Smith, Contracting Officer, (301) 496-6546. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is developing a prototype knowledge-based expert system to assist in the subject analysis (indexing) of biomedical journal literature. This frame-based system, ''MedIndEx'', incorporates the rules of indexing and the controlled vocabulary as executable computer code, interacting with the indexer in the application of factual and procedural knowledge. Operating in a workstation environment running X Windows, MedIndEx automatically generates conventional indexing output from indexing frames that are instances of knowlege-based frames. In contrast, indexers using NLM's conventional indexing system, ''AIMS,'' enter data to a mainframe via computer terminal. AIMS is interactive to the extent of rejecting nonvalid indexing terms and prompting the indexer for certain missing data, but indexers must rely upon printed tools, such as the Indexing Manual for procedural knowledge, and the Medical Subject Headings thesaurus for factual knowledge. The purpose of this contract is to conduct a study to evaluate the prototype MedIndEx system by comparing the indexing produced using MedIndEx with indexing produced using the AIMS system. The study shall be conducted according to an experimental design, ''Design for a Study to Evaluate the MedIndEx Approach to Subject Indexing,'' prepared for NLM. This document will be available in the RFP. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the NLM. To receive a copy of the RFP, send a written request to the above address. Telephone or fax requests will not be accepted. (0024)

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