Module Information

Module Identifier
DS31620
Module Title
Information Retrieval
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Dr Allen E Foster
Semester
Distance Learning
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Report of 2,500 words - weighted 50%. 
Semester Assessment Essay of 2,500 words - weighted 50%. 

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

  • Evaluate online information retrieval systems and the retrieval mechanisms operating within them

* Describe and evaluate different methods of indexing from traditional through to state of the art

* Explain the methods, and issues surrounding, the evaluation of performance of information retrieval systems

* Assess the implications of different indexing and retrieval methods for users, systems design and management

* Evaluate opportunities, problems and issues in the context of non-traditional multimedia information retrieval

* Evaluate current information retrieval research and future directions for information retrieval systems

Brief description

Effective Information Retrieval is at the heart of the 'rnformation society?. Beginning with the student'r experience of Internet search engines and library OPACs the course progresses through the surface level user experience through successive layers into the underlying tools and principles of IR systems. Students will develop a working knowledge of the principles of information retrieval in the information age and generate a view of how information retrieval will develop in the future.

Content

The course will address a range of content linked to the learning outcomes. Primarily content will revolve around

  • Evaluation of online information retrieval systems and the retrieval mechanisms operating within them
  • Exploration and evaluate of different methods of indexing from traditional through to state of the art
  • The methods, and issues surrounding, the evaluation of performance of information retrieval systems
  • The implications of different indexing and retrieval methods for users, systems design and management
  • Evaluation of the opportunities, problems and issues in the context of non-traditional multimedia information retrieval
  • Evaluation of current information retrieval research and future directions for information retrieval systems.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Communication Individual coursework in report format will include the presentation of information and the critical assessment of the process of obtaining that information. The report will develop presentation, evaluation and written communication skills.
Improving own Learning and Performance Encourages development within the principles of open learning.
Information Technology Information technology will be used as a tool on the module; but the information technology itself is secondary to the information literacy skills that will be developed. All coursework is to be word-processed.
Personal Development and Career planning As part of a CILIP accredited course the module offers opportunities for development in a number of information related careers.
Problem solving A core element of information seeking is the ability to solve an information problem by identifying the core issues, identifying possible remedies and finding a solution.
Research skills A core element of information seeking is the ability to solve an information problem by identifying the core issues, identifying possible remedies and finding a solution.
Subject Specific Skills Evaluation and some practice of the principles and information retrieval systems, indexing methods (e.g. online information retrieval systems, different methods of indexing, evaluation of performance of information retrieval systems, non-traditional multimedia information retrieval, IR research)

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6