As the results of scholarly research in data-rich sciences, the growth of non-textual data, for example, numerical data, continues to expand. This work explores through a prototype whether alternatives can be found to large centralized repositories of non-textual data that are easy to use, universal and low cost. The idea is to be able to access non-textual information as easily and readily as documents without laborious additional work. The automatic creation of a number of indices would provide a mechanism to facilitate indexing and retrieval, such as done by internet search giants for text. If successful, it will be easy to post numerical data and and have it be available via standard web search engines as easily as textual information is today.

The team will build a system using a wide variety of data sources and objects from a range of disciplines, and then design representations that specify the characteristics of non-textual data, including numerical data. Next they will develop enhanced indexing capabilities to handle queries in an extended search engine and procures to annotate the data by each type. After developing a query and interaction interface for developers and pilot users, they will test the viability of the approach and the effectiveness for creating descriptive additions for various types of data.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
1450545
Program Officer
Sylvia Spengler
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2014-08-01
Budget End
2016-07-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$300,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Carnegie-Mellon University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213