Methodology for information processing from indirect sources: the example of Cervantes’ Quixote

Abstract

This paper intends to set up some methodological guidelines required for extracting the information value from indirect information sources - as memories and travelers’ tales or literary works. The aim is creating a documental and informative corpus about written culture and history of reading. To reach this aim, several methodologies are used, combining analysis of texts, information science procedures and application of Information Technologies. The project had the following phases: previous processing of the original sources by means of their intuitive and conceptual analysis; extracting of the textual passages or references; construction of the documental tools (including a thesaurus); subsequent indexing of the references; and finally, the unification of all that tools in a global automated database which will allow the retrieval of the references according to the user’s specifications. As an example, an informative database with all the information about written culture in the Quixote is exposed. It is concluded that this methodology allows to extract the information value (both implicit and explicit) from those indirect sources and serve it to the user quickly and efficiently.