Information retrieval using a novel concept similarity in formal concept analysis

Abstract

Concept lattices constructed by formal concept analysis have been successfully applied in structuring stored information to facilitate its retrieval. However, the models used in retrieval determine the results, and we propose an improved retrieval model to rank query results. The proposed concept similarity enables concept approximation, using both attribute extent and object intent, as well as occurrence frequencies in formal concepts. This approach avoids the computation of a Hasse diagram, only using the concepts of a formal context in query-based retrieval.