Open-domain surface-based question answering system

Abstract

This paper considers a surface-based question answering system for an open- domain solution. It analyzes the current progress that has been done in this area so far, while as well describes a methodology of answering questions by using information retrieved from very large collection of text. The solution proposed is based on indexing techniques and surface-based natural language processing that identify paragraphs from which an answer can be extracted. Although this approach would not solve all the problems associated with this task the objective is to provide a solution that is feasible, achieves reasonable accuracy and can return an answer in an acceptable time limit. Various techniques are discussed including question analysis, question reformulation, term extraction, answer extraction and other methods for answer pinpointing. Besides this further research in question answering is identified, especially in the area of handling answers that require reasoning.