Research Group for Information Retrieval

Mission Statement

To promote and stimulate research in different aspects of information retrieval (IR) including: but not limited to: information behavior, human computer interaction with IR systems, IR evaluation, IR design, information visualization, and multimedia retrieval.

Goals

1) To facilitate knowledge discovery and development in the field of IR in library and information studies and allied disciplines.

2) To foster good and positive research ethics.

3) To encourage collaborative IR related research at SOIS, UWM level, and national levels.

4) To explore and promote multiple research methods in information retrieval.

5) To provide a forum to foster student interest and participation in IR research.

6) To promote education for IR at all program levels.

Membership

There will be three types of members:

• Regular Member - any interested SOIS faculty and teaching academic staff members with an interest in IR may become regular members with voting privileges
• Student Member - PhD students, any students involved with projects affiliated with RGIR
• Affiliate Members - faculty or staff members from other units on campus or other institutions nationally or internationally may participate

Responsibilities & Actions

• In May of each year, members will meet to determine leadership roles for the following fiscal year, including a research group facilitator and coordinators for different group functions
• Each regular member must agree to oversee some aspect of the group’s activities annually
• The facilitator will call meetings of the group at least twice per semester with an agenda of business items solicited from the membership
• All regular members have equal voting privileges and will oversee budgetary allocations and group activities
• All members are encouraged to share ideas for budgetary allocations and group activities (e.g., publications, research presentations, group communication, project facilitation)

Outline of RGIR Activities

Members of RGIR will engage in a range of activities to fulfill the mission and goals of the group. These will include to:

• Organize Regular meetings
• To exchange ideas on information retrieval research
• Identify topics for research investigation and external funding
• Develop ideas for sponsored events and publications
• Discuss IR related curriculum issues

Propose and Engage in Collaborative Projects

• ·Apply for external research funding
• Promote IR collaborative projects within SOIS and on campus and with other institutions
• Promote IR collaborative projects between SOIS and researchers in LIS field
• Create research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students
• Promote use of the Intelligence and Information Architecture Lab

Organize Sponsored Events

• Sponsor regular research talks and occasional symposia on IR topics
• Sponsor visiting Research Fellows to engage in external collaborations
• Sponsor workshops or seminars at IR related conferences

Promote Publications

• Create a repository on information retrieval starting with members’ publications
• Create a Web page to present IR group’s basic information including mission, membership, events, etc.
• Explore the feasibility of creating an electronic journal to publish research papers or research in progress on different aspects of IR
• Produce an annual newsletter on RGIR activities

Expand Education Opportunities in IR

• Develop Information Technology concentration in MLIS program
• Develop new IR related courses at all levels

The Research Group for Information Retrieval (RGIR)website is currently under development. For more information about RGIR, please contact: Dr. Simon Mu (mux@uwm.edu)