Retrieving Terminological Information: A Structured Text Approach vs. a Relational Database Approach

This thesis examines two different methods of retrieving terminological information, and compares the ability to retrieve information from each of them. The two ways are: 1) in an indexed structured text format, and, 2) in a relational database. The indexed structured text database is represented by MultiTerm from Trados. Microsoft Access is the relational database used, using the ReltefTM schema for terminology management described by Daniel Hardman (Hardman and Melby, 1997). In comparing the two methods, the same data were used in both formats, and 62 different questions (or, “queries”), were created in English. For example, “How many terms have changed since November 5, 1999?” A query was then crafted for each of the two database formats. For example, for MultiTerm, a filter was created based on the edit date using the format: EditDate >99.11.05 For the relational database, a SQL query was created of the form: SELECT * FROM terms WHERE EditDate> 1999-11-05 The results from each were compared to verify that each method produced the same results. In the few cases of discrepancies, these were investigated and explained. As an additional interface to the relational database, a web interface developed for Medtronic, Inc., was used. It was not possible to perform the more complex queries using this interface, however. As standards of comparison, these criteria were considered: (1) Can the query be converted from English to the respective query languages or process? and, (2) If the query can be created for each termbase, can it be performed in an easy and timely manner? In summary, the results were (1) Yes, a process or query could be created to retrieve the information from each database, and (2) Yes, the results can be obtained in a straightforward and timely manner from each database; however, although formulation was easier in MultiTerm, SQL facilitated storage of a complex query for subsequent use.

Thesis Author: Watts, Edward M.

Year Completed: 2000

Committee Members: Deryle Lonsdale, Monte Shelley

Thesis Chair: Alan K. Melby