At its simplest, the process of information retrieval begins with defining the subject and ends with the evaluation and use of the information that was found.
There are many possible paths between the starting and ending points of the process, sometimes even minor paths outside the main one. In most cases, backtracking into earlier phases of the process is a natural part of high-quality information retrieval. The process of information retrieval is subject to a variety of emotions, as it is common for the process to consume considerable amounts of time and effort.
There are various starting points to seek information. If the information retrieval is related to research or writing a thesis, the process should be somewhat planned ahead. When a thesis or other research is the motivator for the information retrieval, it is also important to understand the role of information retrieval as part of research.
Information retrieval plan
An information retrieval plan is often drawn up in connection with a research plan. Planning information retrieval includes many familiar stages of the information retrieval process. You can start planning your information retrieval with the checklist below. Note, however, that you should update the plan as the search progresses and make test searches while planning.
The information seeker’s checklist includes:
Research problem and topic
Utilise mind maps or theme lists: What is included in the topic?
Words and concepts
Collect words and concepts: What kind of words or concepts may have been used when discussing the topic? Which search terms describe the topic?
Combination of search terms
Save your test search history and observe search results: How do you combine your search terms? Do you need alternative search terms, synonyms and search terms that limit the topic (AND, OR, NOT)? Did you remember the inflected forms of words (*)? How do you narrow, focus or expand your search?
Suitable databases
Select general and discipline-specific information sources: Which databases should you use for the information retrieval?
Information retrieval as a part of research – compile, outline, combine, compare
A researcher must go through their research topic in more detail than a regular information seeker. The researcher must gather an up-to-date overview of the research and literature published so far and relate their own research to previous theories and findings. They also participate in scientific discourse on the topic by writing and publishing their work.
Information on the topic’s focal concepts is always needed: the concepts that are used must be subject to unambiguous definitions in the research.
Outlining the topic and specifying the research problem will further clarify your understanding of what you wish to prove with your research and what you wish to find out.
The better you can outline your topic, the easier the information retrieval will be. Broad, unorganised topics are difficult to search information on. Thinking about the following matters will make it easier to define, organise, and outline your topic:
What is the title of my topic/assignment?
What is relevant or important for the topic?
What theoretical framework is my topic included in?
What minor subject areas does the topic include?
The main questions and potential subquestions of the topic
What point of view is the topic examined from – differing theories, schools, and other sciences
Who? (does, operates, influences in the background)
To whom? (target group of the operation, whom does it affect, to whom is it important) – people, groups, organisations
Why? (need, necessity, result of something, from where?)
How specifically is the topic examined, how much information is needed
Research always requires background information from a larger context as well: to what factual connection or thematic entity is the topic related to, and what kinds of research problems have been previously processed? It is also important to unravel what is not yet known about the topic.
It may also be necessary to retrieve Information on research and statistical methods, material processing, etc.
The information retrieval process allows the seeker to go backwards, for example, if the search results do not offer information relevant to the topic, or if they want to edit the search for other reasons. Going backwards means updating the search terms and constraints, for example. Such an information retrieval process, where you return to the previous steps if necessary, is called cyclic information retrieval.
Searching for a single search result is more straightforward and often simpler than cyclic information retrieval. When you use specific search terms to search a database for a single result, such as a book or an article, the information retrieval process is called linear.
