Mapa Hipertextual (MHTX): um modelo para organização hipertextual de documentos

Abstract

This study aims at the construction of a semantically structured conceptual model to help the organization and representation of human knowledge in hypertextual systems, based on the Theory of Facet Analysis and Conceptual Map. A second step in this study is the application of the semantic model to create a prototype called Hypertext Map (Mapa Hipertextual - MHTX) which will be used to implement the BTDECI UFMG (Thesis and Dissertation Library of UFMG´s School of Information Science). Hypertext systems, offsprings of the informational technology developed in the last two decades, have caused a revolution in information treatment concepts and procedures, ranging from new ways of information input, storage structures and retrieval processes.However, hypertext still poses some problems due to the great variability in the degree of efficiency in the retrieval process. These problems are often related to lack of criteria during the conception and initial steps of their construction. Authors interested on the the semantic development of hypertext (DUNCAN, 1989; SPITERI, 1997; ELLIS, 2000; CAMPOS, 2001; TUDHOPE, 2002) agree that the creation of more efficient hyperdocuments can be achieved with the application of principles such as (1) subject analysis, (2) knowledge representation, (3) interrelated links and (4) knowledge of the user´s needs. This study focuses on the application of the two principles, viewed under two specific theoretical references: facet analysis and conceptual map. It was chosen a single knowledge unit, namely a doctoral thesis on the own area of subject analysis (NAVES, 2000), to construct a conceptual model prior to technological implementation of its prototype. Facet analysis was used to categorize the index terms, established the relationship among them expressed by the links. Finally, conceptual mapping was applied to knowledge representation. In order to implement these processes into the prototype, two softwares were used: (1) Greenstone 2.50 to create the database and to create a hierachical navegational structure map of the thesis´s summary. (2) Inxight Star Tree Studio 3.0, to create a three-dimensional conceptual map.