A state-of-the-art of content analysis. Sponsored by SIG IAE, SIG ALP

The concept and methodologies of computer‐aided content analysis emerged early (e.g. Stone, 1966), but have evolved more or less independently in three fields: literary studies, mass communication, and intelligence. However, neither the concept nor the methodologies have received much attention within the ASIST community in the context of generic analysis of information. The purpose of this session is to provide an introduction to the subject by Mark D. West (editor of the most recent book on the subject (West, 2001)) followed by presentations from three companies (Aurigin Systems, Inc.; Semio Corp.; Search Technology, Inc.) which have commercially‐available systems for business applications.