Information Retrieval as a Domain: Visualizations Based on Two Data Sets

A domain is seen as a subject of discourse whose extensions and intensions are defined by the scope and content of its research literature. Mapping the contours of a domain over a period helps in visualizing the changes in the research frontiers of the domain thus indicating the transformations as well as trends in research in the domain. In this paper research literature in information retrieval from IEEE and EBSCO databases were used as data sets to map the contours of the research literature in the area of information retrieval over the last 14 years. The two data sets suggest differing perspectives and emphasis between the two research communities.