The information community appears divided on the utility of federated searching. Federated searching appeals to the typical user because it is simple, doesn't involve a lot of effort, and provides the familiar comfort of a plain text box and natural language for search queries.
Federate searching is a more user-friendly approach but does currently can not support the powerful searching of an index content-specific search. Hane points out that that federated searches often lacking in advertised coverage (due to authentication problems, for one), removing duplicates, determining relevance and ranking in a way meaningful to the query, and can run into trouble keeping up with updates of various databases they cover.
Various standards have been introduced to try to improve federating searching. Z39.50 was introduced as a protocol for information retrieval which identified structures and rules for interchange. In 1997, attempts were being made to develop linkages with other standards and improving interoperability (specifically the ability to translate queries across systems).
Metadata harvesting offers possibilities in interoperability and increased dissemination of information by providing rules and a framework for sharing descriptive data (OAI-PMH). Reliance on user-created metadata can sometimes be problematic because when humans describe their own materials they often do so subjectively and without much consideration for the use of that metadata by outside sources and the possibility of lost context. Aggregated metadata increases efficiency, uniformity, speed, performance, analytical power, and meaningfulness in organization (OAI-PMH).
As the search tools offered by the library move further from traditional and into larger and domains with varied setups, development must focus on the ability to collage information across collections. The introduction of standards is helpful but depends on users to implement these standards with other uses in mind. Whether or not developers are willing to do this is another matter.
Questions:
Is Z39.50 still in use/development?
Can you discuss some of the current trends/developments metadata harvesting?
What other strategies are being used in implemented in modern federated searching?
Are the same federated searching roadblocks discussed in the Info Today article still valid?
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