Modelling Users’ Preferences in Systems for Information Access

In this article, the idea of user preference playing a role in systems for information access is analyzed. In particular, two main categories of systems that provide access to information were considered: systems for the retrieval of stored information items [i.e., information retrieval systems (IRSs) and database management systems (DBMSs)] and systems that offer a support to product brokering for online shopping in e-commerce. One of the common characteristics of such systems is that they constitute for a user a decision aid for identifying the preferred information items within a huge collection. In this study, the synergy between decision theory and some techniques for information access is outlined, aiming at stimulating the definition of new methods that enhance the existing systems.