Complex document search for decision making

Professionals are often faced with ill-structured and complex decision situations, and they must make choices on the basis of limited information and problem clarity. These decisions are especially difficult when extensive document search is required. Thus, decision makers often satisfice rather than select an optimal alternative. The research reported here applies a cascading index, logical views, hypertext, notation capability, and case-based reasoning to a conceptual design and the prototyping of an electronic retrieval document system (ERDS) that may serve as a valuable tool for decision makers faced with an ill-structured problem and the task of extensive searching. The ERDS prototype was applied to the problem domain of public accounting professional conduct. It was developed using a portion of the AICPA Professional Standards, which served as the electronic document text. The text was linked by hypertext to real and prototypical cases. A panel of industry experts validated the prototype. The results of analysis and evaluation produced ideas for the extension and wider application of the system. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.