Comp E | Info Retrieval

Design, query, and evaluate information retrieval systems

Section A | Definition of Competency

To build a basic understanding of competency E, an online dictionary and course reading references define information retrieval (IR) systems and their relationship to design, query and evaluation. Information retrieval refers to “the process, methods, and procedures used to selectively recall recorded information from a file of data” (Reitz, 2013). That selective recollection of data is generated by a search also known as a query. Reitz explains an IR system as a digital storage and retrieval space “such as an online catalog or bibliographic database” (Reitz, 2013). In general, information systems are “designed to accept, store, manipulate, and analyze data and to report results” (Reitz, 2013). An IR system is type of information system (IS) designed to store, search, and find data.

To assure relevancy of findings, an IR system needs design elements such as access points for the searcher. These access points are descriptive metadata, that is available for searching. Descriptive metadata refers to “data about an information resource that is intended to facilitate its discovery, identification, and selection” (Reitz, 2013). Data intended for access, which also include structures such as subject indexing which will be further explored in competency G.

For this competency, it is important to know that there are design elements connecting the data within the IR system and they allow queries to function efficiently. However, to verify the performance of that system, there is the “information retrieval evaluation [to] provide an approach for measuring system effectiveness” (Clough, 2013). The evaluation of the access points offers a basic design of the system and functions as well as measuring query results.

Section B | Background to the Competency

Information and retrieval to competency E is a main learning component for the following completed courses: INFO 202 Information Retrieval Systems Design, INFO 240 Information Technology Tools and Applications, INFO 246 Information Visualization, and INFO 246 MySQL. In addition to these courses including competency E in their syllabus and learning are a multitude of information systems explored through other coursework such as INFO 287 Problem Solving with Data. Evidence of competency E in course assignments demonstrate the following:

· Design, query, and evaluation

· Awareness of design principles for information systems

· Ability to retrieve information from various types of IS

· The organization of IR systems affects on search strategies

· Use of query functions and techniques to locate relevant information

· Ability to evaluate components of an IR system

Section C | Discussion of Evidence

INFO 202 | Subject Analysis

Document Available to Academic Advisor Only

In addition to course readings, INFO 204 project 2 on subject analysis demonstrates an awareness of system design and evaluation. The process involved identifying concepts, analysing the list and creating a final list of controlled vocabulary within an IR system. These subject terms serve as access points which effects the search functions for the user including their interpretation of the terms. However, this development requires routine management and user involvement because, “information retrieval is constantly analysed and changing based on collection and user’s needs” (Buchanan, 2017). This subject analysis satisfies competency E requirement of design, evaluation, and query with a specific focus on organization of access points and their affect on a users search.

INFO 287 | Analysing Wellness Tweets

https://medium.com/@kejobuchanan/final-project-c11a714c1694

This final group project is about analysing wellness tweets during the pandemic using Python. We gathered two snap shots of tweets using Twitter API with three hashtags within the messages. These wellness hashtags are a prominent community indexing system on this social media platform and function as access points to collect relevant information for analysis. This project offers evidence of design and query as well evaluation on API feature using python regarding function and capacity.

INFO 246 | Assignment 10

Document Available to Academic Advisor Only

INFO 246 MySQL was a series of lessons in retrieving, restricting, joining data including additional through SQL statements. These statements are the main form of managing and query the data. This assignment is an example data organization within a rational database by explaining the relationship between tables which determines the search techniques and capacity of search results as well. The course and assignments are the third component of evidence for competency E design, query, and evaluation of information retrieval systems.

Section D | Conclusion

Assignments and course studies on IR systems and their design, query and evaluation have prepared me for competency E through various information systems and techniques.

Section E | References

Buchanan, K. (2017). Project 2: subject analysis [Unpublished assignment]. San José State University.

Buchanan, K. (2018). Mid-size visual insight: visualizing mid-sized Canada through need. Retrieved from Kejo Buchanan. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@kejobuchanan/mid-size-visual-insight-visualizing-mid-sized-canada-through-need-568a93411536

Buchanan, K. (2021). Assignment 10 [Unpublished assignment]. San José State University.

Buchanan, K., Clark, J. & Rogowski, J. (2020). Final Project: Analysing Wellness Tweets During a Pandemic with Python. Medium. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@kejobuchanan/final-project-c11a714c1694

Clough, C., & Sanderson, M. (2013). Evaluating the performance of information retrieval systems using test collections. Information Research, 18(2). Retrieved from http://www.informationr.net

Reitz, J.M. (2013). ODLIS: Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science. ABC-CLIO. Retrieved from https://products.abc-clio.com/ODLIS/odlis_about.aspx