On-line legal aid: Markov chain model for efficient retrieval of legal documents

It is widely accepted that, with large databases, the key to good performance is effective data-clustering. In any large document database clustering is essential for efficient search, browse and therefore retrieval. Cluster analysis allows the identification of groups, or clusters, of similar objects in multi-dimensional space. Conventional document retrieval systems involve the matching of a query against individual documents, whereas a clustered search compares a query with clusters of documents, thereby achieving efficient retrieval. In most document databases periodic updating of clusters is required due to the dynamic nature of a database. Experimental evidence, however shows that clustered searches are substantially less effective than conventional searches of corresponding non-clustered documents. We investigate the present clustering criteria and its drawbacks. We propose a new approach to clustering and justify the reasons why this new approach should be tested and (if proved beneficial) adopted.