How effective is suffixing?

TLDR

The study examined how suffixing algorithms interact with ranking techniques to affect online retrieval performance. Using three general‑purpose suffixing algorithms on Cranfield, Medlars, and CACM collections yielded no significant performance gains, and proposed ranking modifications also failed to help, leading to recommendations on when suffixing is useful. © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Abstract

The interaction of suffixing algorithms and ranking techniques in retrieval performance, particularly in an online environment, was investigated. Three general purpose suffixing algorithms were used for retrieval on the Cranfield 1400, Medlars, and CACM test collections, with no significant improvement in performance shown for any of the algorithms. A failure analysis suggested three modifications to ranking techniques: variable weighting of term variants, selective stemming depending on query length, and selective stemming depending on term importance. None of these modifications improved performance. Recommendations are made regarding the uses of suffixing in an online environment. © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.