Method for creating a topical reading list

Abstract

A method for creating an ordered reading list of predetermined length of relevant topics from a hyperlinked database source of information website for a user. The method includes determining at least one topic of interest based on a plurality of methods and choosing a topic ordering algorithm from a plurality of topic ordering algorithms. A top-down schematic algorithm includes a page rank calculation performed by iterating until a convergence. A bottom-up schematic algorithm includes a linear parameterization of a ratio of an order from a plurality of source topics to a plurality of sink topics of an article, and a horizontal schematic algorithm includes an order parameterization by absolute differences of a log of a plurality of ranks and an absolute difference of a plurality of distances with analogous cutoff methods. The method also includes calculating one of a plurality of topic ordering algorithms based on the topic of interest and a user, updating the hyperlinked database source of information, forming a reading list and ranking the list based on the topic ordering algorithm, and outputting the ranking and the list of reading materials to an interface depending on an outcome of the topic ordering algorithm.