Survey of User Interface Components in Clustering-based Information Retrieval Systems

Clustering search engines are used widely to help relevant information retrieval on the web, in parallel with keyword searching and browsing. User interface is important as the front line of systems to face to users and to use feedback to optimize user query. The aim of this article is to identify the important user interface components of clustering engines. The necessity of clustering usage in information retrieval systems, their theoretical background, algorithms, applications, and evaluation criteria have been discussed. According to web information retrieval literature, 10 clustering engines were identified and their user interface elements and application were described. Finally, the use rate of these elements in 10 clustering engines was illustrated.