MONSTRAT Model
MONSTRAT (MOdular functions based on Natural information processes for STRATegic
problem treatment) is a model of
intermediary functions developed particularly by
Nicholas J. Belkin. It is based on and documented in, among others, the
following studies: Belkin, Seeger &
Wersig (1983); Brooks & Belkin (1983); Belkin (1984); Brooks (1986); Daniels
(1986) & Belkin, Brooks & Daniels (1987).
The
Monstrat model - as well as the research tradition on which it is based -
assumes that it is possible to construe an intelligent mechanism (cf.,
Artificial Intelligence), which is
able to understand the information needs of
users and perform like an
intermediary. An overview of the
model is given by Belkin et al. 1987, p. 399 and quoted by Ingwersen, 1992, p. 107.
The
"MEDIATOR-Model" is a modification of the MONSTRAT-Model proposed by
Ingwersen (1992).
The
MONSTRAT and the MEDIATOR models are constructed within a research tradition in
which it is assumed that the study of individual users' psychological, mental or
cognitive structure may uncover the principles of information retrieval (cf.,
the cognitive views in
information science).
Literature:
Belkin, N.
(1984). Cognitive Models and Information Transfer. Social
Science Information Studies, 4, 111-129.
Belkin, N.; Seeger,
T. & Wersig, G. (1983). Distributed Expert Problem Treatment as a Model
for Information Systems Analysis and Design. Journal of Information Science,
5, 153-167.
Belkin, N; Brooks,
H. & Daniels, P. (1987). Knowledge Elicitation using Discourse Analysis.
International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 27, 127-144.
Brooks, H. (1986). Developing and Representing Problem Descriptions. Pp. 141-161 IN: Intelligent Information Systems for the Information Society. Edited by B. C. Brookes. Amsterdam: North-Holland.
Brooks, H. & Belkin, N. (1983). Using Discourse Analysis for the Design of Information
Retrieval Interaction Mechanism. ACM/SIGIR Conference Proceedings: New York. (Pp. 31-47).
Daniels, P.
(1986). The User Modelling Function of an Intelligent Interface for
Document Retrieval Systems. Pp. 162-176 IN: Intelligent Information Systems for the Information Society. Edited by B. C. Brookes. Amsterdam: North-Holland.
Ingwersen, P. (1992). Information retrieval interaction. London: Taylor Graham. Available at: http://www.db.dk/pi/iri/files/Ingwersen%5FIRI.pdf
See also: Cognitive view; User modelling
Birger Hjørland
Last edited: 04-11-2006