C1: Introduction to Information Retrieval and Web Search

Objectives

This module provides an overview of Information Retrieval (IR) and Web Search. After learning this module, students will have a general understanding about IR and Web Search.

Description

This module provides a basic coverage of general issues related to IR and Web Search. Major topics include:

Definition and goal of IR and Web Search;
Focus and major concerns of IR;
Basic concepts and processes of IR;
IR system architecture and major components of an IR system;
Web Search system architecture and major components of a Web Search system;
IR-related Tasks;
History of IR;
The impact of the Web on IR;
Related areas of IR.

It takes around 45 minutes to go through the required class notes and practice exercises. It is highly recommended that students read Chapter 1 of textbook Modern Information Retrieval, written by Ricardo Baeza-Yates and Berthier Ribeiro-Neto. The Web resources are also worth going through in order to get practical experience about IR and web search.

Class Notes

(Required)

Introduction to Information Retrieval and Web Search
[Interactive Flash] | [flash] | [Windows Media] | [.ppt] | [.doc] | [.pdf]

(Optional)

Related Areas of Information Retrieval [.doc] | [.pdf] | [.ppt]

Practice Exercise

Exercise: Introduction to Information Retrieval and Web Search
[Online Exercise]
Exercise and Answer Keys [.doc] | [.pdf]

Suggested Readings and Resources

In the Books

Chapter 1 [.pdf] of textbook Modern Information Retrieval, written by Ricardo Baeza-Yates and Berthier Ribeiro-Neto, ISBN: 0-201-39829-X, Publisher: Addison-Wesley, 1999.

On the Web

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