QUALITATIVE METHODS IN INFORMATION-RETRIEVAL RESEARCH

This review of the literature shows that the number of research projects in information retrieval (IR) that employ qualitative methods is on the rise. Although no agreed-upon definition exists for the concept qualitative research, a number of typical characteristics describe its nature. Qualitative research is noncontrolling, holistic and case oriented, about processes, open and flexible, diverse in methods, humanistic, inductive, and scientific. Although these characteristics make qualitative methods the best for exploring human behavior in depth, and thus of great relevance to IR research, only a few studies present all of them. Doctoral students, librarians, and others who are interested in qualitative methods have many sources for gaining support and guidance: methodological writings, textbooks and handbooks, and several departments at academic institutions.