A method for retrieving information from a computer system including a
user terminal and a storage area, includes retrieving first information
from the storage area using a first search query, the first search query
having a first element and a first weight that is associated with the
first element. The first search query has been formulated to retrieve
target information. The first information includes at least a first data
block. Second information is retrieved from the storage area using a
second search query. The second search query has the first element, and a
second weight that is associated with the first element. The second
search query is derived from a relevance feedback provided on the first
data block of the first information. An end-search criterion is provided
to the user terminal. The end-search criterion provides information as to
whether or not to end a first retrieval procedure for the target
information. The first retrieval procedure being associated with a search
query set, the search query set including a plurality of search queries,
each having the first element.