A framework of analysis for the evaluation of automatic term extractors

Following previous research on automatic term extraction, the primary aim of this paper is to propose a more robust and consistent framework of analysis for the comparative evaluation of term extractors. Within the different views for software quality outlined in ISO standards, our proposal focuses on the criterion of external quality and in particular on the characteristics of functionality, usability and efficiency together with the subcharacteristics of suitability, precision, operability and time behavior. The evaluation phase is completed by comparing four online open-access automatic term extractors: TermoStat, GaleXtract, BioTex and DEXTER. This latter resource forms part of the virtual functional laboratory for natural language processing (FUNK Lab) developed by our research group. Furthermore, the results obtained from the comparative analysis are discussed.