What is information retrieval? ~ The summary of search results is a list of resources (bibliography) on selected topic on which you need to write an essay or prepare a paper, presentation or lecture. NOTE: Information retrieval or (online) search is a process of searching for and finding relevant information. In Czech language, for both the searching process and the search results, we use the same word – ‘rešerše‘ (from French recherché – to search, searching, research), which might be little bit confusing. In English, librarians often use the term ‘information retrieval’ to describe the search process (especially while using professional electronic resources, e.g. specialized databases) and the term ‘search results’ for the outcome. To perform an information retrieval means to search through available information resources (library catalogues, professional electronic databases, webpages of universities, scientific societies/companies etc.). Gathering and studying all the selected relevant sources is essential for developing knowledge about the state of the art in the field and about the topic of your paper. Thanks to information retrieval you organize the basic knowledge and starting points, and get the inspiration for your own work. How to perform a search (information retrieval): I. Selecting relevant specialized (technical) terms: Selection of keyword for searching (special terminology in English and preferably also in Czech) II. Formulating the search query Using different types of searching (simple, advanced, expert) and search tools such as Boolean operators, proximity operators, truncation, masking III. Choosing information resource Selecting suitable subject-relevant library funds, databases, internet resources IV. Searching in catalogues and databases Entering keyword to search fields at the interface of the respective database/catalogue, and performing the search V. Evaluation of the obtained results Selection of relevant results (if the results don’t meet your task, it is necessary to rephrase the search query and try again) If you’ve searched in catalogues/databases which don’t contain full texts, data or facts, you only get a literature summary. It is necessary to obtain the full texts in another way. The opportunities of getting a full text: Books (ILL) Journal articles (EDD) The right way how to perform an information retrieval Preparation The information retrieval itself Search results Example Specialized information retrieval Preparation Terminology and keywords Get straight the specialized/technical terminology for the topic you will focus on in your paper (both English and Czech/other language) Prepare basic technical terms for the topic (keywords), their synonyms, both hypernyms (more general) and subordinate (more specific) terms Selection of information resources Take a look at the offer of electronic databases in library and their content focus Think about which other library could have literature on the topic at disposal Consider also if you can use standards and patents for your topic Find out which options of searching for scientific literature are provided by internet search engines (they should focus on scientific and research information – e.g. Google Scholar or Vivisimo) Preparation of the search query Take a look at the search systems in catalogues and databases, and options of internet search engines Decide into which fields you will enter your queries. Read the he Help (or Search Tips etc.) and learn about how to use logical and proximity operators Formulate your search query The information retrieval itself Submitting search query In chosen database/catalogue enter the prepared search query into search fields and display the results You will get a list of records about documents (basic information about authors, title, publication date etc.) In library catalogues you will find mostly books, journals, standards, dissertation theses or research reports. In databases you will find mainly journal articles and conference papers. CL online catalogue Catalogue of information resources Checking the records and evaluating their relevance Go through individual records. Do title and keywords correspond with the query? In specialized databases you have an option to edit the search directly (left menu bar) According to the keywords and abstract you should be able to decide if you have found suitable documents or whether you need to modify the search query. Modifying the query Check the number of retrieved records (usually shown on top left) If there are dozens of them, and after reading the abstracts of first few records you find that they do not match your request, refine your previous query (e.g. using fields such as ‘Search Within’, ‘Refine your query’, etc.) or modify it directly. You can add additional keywords to the new search query. You can search for them in specific fields (topic, title, keywords). Use operators or other symbols for making the query more accurate. Go back to the search form and try to submit newly phased query, or even refine it with publication year, document language etc. Search results Saving the search results If you find a reasonable amount of corresponding documents, store their records or their full texts. If there are no full texts available for the retrieved documents in the library or specialized databases, contact CL. You can use inter-library loan (ILL) service if you need a book or electronic document delivery (EDD) if you need an article. Some of the databases and catalogues allow you to export the citation (bibliographic reference) of the document record into citation manager or sending it by e-mail. That is going to make your work easier when creating your own database. 2. Creating personal files/database If you are writing any kind of article or longer paper, it is always helpful to gather all information in one place, where you can sort and organize it as you please. The personal files can have any form (paper cards or electronic list). There are also special softwares and tools which make your work with your information resources easier (see Citation managers) Example Scientific publications in different languages are available in electronic databases. Records (description) and abstracts of these publications are enregisterd in English. Preparing the search query, find out related, boarder and narrower terms, keywords, to the topic. Topic: Firefighting mobile robots Related terms or synonyms: robots for fire-fighting, mobile robotic systems, tracking mobile robots, automated guided vehicles (AGV) Boarder terms: robotics, robots, fire protection, rescue operation, hazardous environment Narrower terms: wheeled mobile robots, double-track mobile robots, climbing mobile robots Specialized information retrieval Information retrievals (searches) can be divided according to the source used for searching, document type, or according to the way how the final results are processed. Author search – searching by the name of an author who is excellent in given subject (recommendation of your supervisor) Patent search – searches focused on patents in specialized patent databases or subject based databases containing patents Annotated search (often given as an assignment to students) – an overview of relevant publications (journal articles and conference papers) and evaluation of their content and contribution to the problems being addressed
