Information Retrieval

This course deals with theories, methods and models for constructing, using and evaluating automatic information retrieval systems. This includes input from linguistics, mathematics, statistics and information theory.

• statistic and semantic based methods for document description and retrieval
• automatic classification and categorization
• search behaviour and how to construct systems for real users
• new methods/mediums/arenas for information retrieval, such as image and multimedia retrieval, retrieval of multilingual material etc.

The teaching language is in English when there are foreign exchange students present.

The course presupposes knowledge from the bachelor courses BIB3210/BIB3220/BIB3230.

None

Knowledge

After completion of the course, the student has

• advanced knowledge of the theoretical fundaments for a variety of models for automatic information retrieval, and how the models can be realized with various algorithms
• advanced knowledge of user oriented views on information retrieval, both cognitive and social views, and their consequences for user interface, relevance judgements and interactivity in the retrieval process
• advanced knowledge of linked data and other semantic tools used to structure and make data available, and how to utilize such data
• thoroughly knowledge of practical experiments for evaluating information retrieval systems and models
• advanced knowledge of computational linguistics for analyzing grammar and semantics, and how this can be used in automatic information retrieval system

Skills

After completion of the course, the student can

• participate in, and have practical experience with the development and implementing of user friendly information retrieval systems and modules
• evaluate such systems in order to obtain and use them

Lectures, tasks and seminars. This includes presentation of a term paper, made individually or in groups, for discussion. Teaching will be in English when there are foreign exchange students present.

The course requirement is either a report on a laboratory assignment or an essay on one or more of the course subtopics, written either individually or in groups of 2-3 students. The course requirement is chosen in cooperation with a course teacher, and also entails an oral presentation at the end of the course. Each student is assigned an opposition of one of the other students' assignments. The course requirements has to be approved to qualify for final grading.

Individual written assignment; the student shall, within the prescribed time limit deliver an individual written 3 days home assignment of 5000 words +/- 10 per cent.

All examination support materials are permitted. However, sources must be stated in accordance with applicable rules for source references.

Grading scale A-F.

An internal and an external examiner make the assessment.