The utilization of hierarchical feature maps has its limitations, too. Since the Neural Network Architecture in terms of the size of the various self-organizing maps and the depth of the hierarchy has to be defined prior to training some knowledge concerning the Structure of the Document Archive is definitely necessary in order to guarantee a suitable document classification.
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The self-organizing map has already found appreciation for document classification in the information retrieval community. The map display is a highly effective and intuitive metaphor for orientation in the information space established by a document collection.