CS976 – Information Retrieval

General Aims

This class aims to give students an overview of the field of information retrieval. More specifically the class will:

• critically examine a number of influential information seeking models;
• provide students with an understanding of research methodologies for studying human information behaviour;
• examine important concepts, such as relevance, in the context of information seeking and retrieval;
• examine how findings from information seeking theory and practice can inform the design of information access systems;
• outline the theory and technology used to construct modern Information Retrieval and Information Access systems;
• critically evaluate the assumptions behind the evaluation of Information Retrieval systems.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this class, students will be able to:

• critically examine a number of influential information seeking models;
• demonstrate an understanding of research methodologies for studying human information behaviour;
• demonstrate an advanced understanding of important concepts, such as relevance, in the context of information seeking and retrieval;
• to show how findings from information seeking theory and practice can inform the design of information access systems;
• demonstrate an advanced understanding of the theory and technology used to construct modern Information Retrieval and Information Access systems;
• demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate the assumptions behind the evaluation of Information Retrieval systems.

Syllabus

• Information representation
• The design of information retrieval and information access systems
• Evaluation of information access systems
• Multimedia and web retrieval models
• Information seeking theory
• Sensemaking theory
• Information behaviour