The term Information Retrieval is most commonly used in the context of text analytics, where it refers to the process of extracting structured or unstructured data from a given body of text. This can be done through manual processes, such as reading and coding, or through automated processes, such as using Natural Language Processing algorithms. In either case, the goal is to extract meaning from text in order to generate insights that can be used for decision-making purposes.
The term Information Retrieval is also used in the context of library science, where it refers to the process of retrieving information from a given body of text, such as a book or an article. This can be done through manual processes, such as skimming and scanning, or through automated processes, such as using a search engine. In either case, the goal is to find the information that you are looking for in a text.
When people use web search engines, that is also Information Retrieval. A web search engine is a type of information retrieval system that allows users to search for information on the World Wide Web. The most popular web search engine is Google, which processes over 3.5 billion searches per day. Web search engines work by crawling the Internet and indexing websites that they find. When a user enters a query into a web search engine, the engine uses an algorithm to match the query with the indexed websites and returns a list of results. The results are typically ranked by relevance, with the most relevant results appearing first.
What can Information Retrieval DO?
Here are some of the common abilities of Information Retrieval systems:
- ability to index large volumes of data
- ability to search through the indexed data quickly and efficiently
- ability to rank the results by relevance
Who Uses Information Retrieval
Information retrieval systems are used in a variety of industries and settings, including:
- Education: Information retrieval systems are used in educational settings to help students find information for research papers and assignments.
- Business: Information retrieval systems are used in business settings to help employees find information about products, customers, and competitors.
- Healthcare: Information retrieval systems are used in healthcare settings to help doctors and nurses find information about diseases, treatments, and medications.
- Government: Information retrieval systems are used by government agencies to find information about laws, regulations, and policies.