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A new similarity measure for subject hierarchical structures

Jin Zhang (School of Information Studies, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA)
Marcia Lei Zeng (School of Library and Information Science, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA)

Journal of Documentation

ISSN: 0022-0418

Article publication date: 6 May 2014

668

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new similarity method to gauge the differences between two subject hierarchical structures.

Design/methodology/approach

In the proposed similarity measure, nodes on two hierarchical structures are projected onto a two-dimensional space, respectively, and both structural similarity and subject similarity of nodes are considered in the similarity between the two hierarchical structures. The extent to which the structural similarity impacts on the similarity can be controlled by adjusting a parameter. An experiment was conducted to evaluate soundness of the measure. Eight experts whose research interests were information retrieval and information organization participated in the study. Results from the new measure were compared with results from the experts.

Findings

The evaluation shows strong correlations between the results from the new method and the results from the experts. It suggests that the similarity method achieved satisfactory results.

Practical implications

Hierarchical structures that are found in subject directories, taxonomies, classification systems, and other classificatory structures play an extremely important role in information organization and information representation. Measuring the similarity between two subject hierarchical structures allows an accurate overarching understanding of the degree to which the two hierarchical structures are similar.

Originality/value

Both structural similarity and subject similarity of nodes were considered in the proposed similarity method, and the extent to which the structural similarity impacts on the similarity can be adjusted. In addition, a new evaluation method for a hierarchical structure similarity was presented.

Keywords

Citation

Zhang, J. and Lei Zeng, M. (2014), "A new similarity measure for subject hierarchical structures", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 70 No. 3, pp. 364-391. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-12-2012-0160

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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