Abstract:
Federated search (federated information retrieval or distributed information retrieval) is a
technique for searching multiple text collections simultaneously. Queries are submitted to a
subset of collections that are most likely to return relevant answers. The results returned by
selected collections are integrated and merged into a single list. This research project aimed to
identify the detailed need of federated search application and developing application of federated
search tool on academic research in order to bridge databases in Ethiopian universities on
research information sharing environment.
A descriptive cross sectional study design was used in this study. And data were gathered from
three Ethiopian universities using questionnaire method of data collection. Stratified and
purposive sampling techniques and Quantitative data analysis method was used for this study.
The study finding confirmed that there is a high need of federated search engine application and
also there is a problem of research information sharing between Ethiopian universities.
Additionally the finding indicated that federated search engine application will widely use if it is
developed and implemented on Ethiopian universities. Therefore in order to solve this need, this
research project also delivers federated search engine application. Solr open source search engine
software is used for the federated search engine application development.
