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One Simple Query or Simply Wishful Thinking?
Federated search systems are developed to search multiple databases, regardless of location and structure, with one query and to display the results packaged in the most relevant way. Development efforts are directed primarily at presentation of results. Clearly, some people would like to use a dream search system that finds all the information needed with one single search query, but magical federated search systems have yet to arrive. While users want a completely easy-to-use and comprehensive search system, experienced researchers and information professionals know that no such system exists.
Federated search developers assume that users want a Googletype search interface and that people who succeed using Google will succeed using their federated search engines. One difference between federated search systems and Google is that Google relies on a central index while federated search systems usually depend on the differing search systems of the databases being accessed. The sources being searched may use different information discovery schemes and different protocols. Different fields from different databases may have different rules for entering information, even if the federation system builds a centralized "über-index." Effective information finding, in reality, requires users to know the type and quality of required information, to have extensive knowledge of sources, to understand how to build effective search strategies, and to have the experience to evaluate results.
People query databases for many reasons, including finding an answer to a specific question, accessing a body of content associated with a particular subject or author, or browsing to learn about the structure of a field and sources. Searchers range from naive to expert in their understanding of their own needs, knowledge of the subject of their queries, and knowledge of sources. A public library user searching for information on global warming is likely to turn to Google and be inundated with citations, while an experienced researcher most likely would search a specialized database for some particular aspect of the global warming crisis. Federated search systems are not effective for all types of questions and queries. A system could mislead if the searcher is not familiar with a subject, sources of coverage, or the limitations of the software.
Definition and Scope
Discussion of federated search systems raises many questions...