Proceedings of the ACM SIGIR 2005 Workshop on Information Retrieval in Context (IRiX)

Copyright of the works contained within this volume remains with the respective authors. Preface IR research is now conducted in multi-media, multilingual , and multi-modal environments but largely in a context-free manner. However, the retrieval of such information will depend on time, place, history of interaction, task in hand, and a range of other factors that are not given explicitly but are implicit in the interaction and ambient environment, namely the context. Such contextual data can be used effectively to constrain retrieval of information thereby reducing the complexity of the retrieval process. Context implies interactive IR and there may exist a stratification of contexts in association to IR engines and systems. Such strata range from the traditional content features of and between information objects, like words nested in paragraphs and hyperlinks, over eye and mouse movements during session-time into the searcher's current work or daily-life task situation of which IIR forms part. The underlying hypothesis (and belief) is that by taking account of context the next generation of retrieval engines dependent on models of context can be created, designed and developed delivering performance exceeding that of out-of-context engines. Based on the experiences from last years' workshop this 2 nd ACM SIGIR IRiX workshop will focus on three major lines of action that explore the central features or evidence of context: • What are the elements of context that are potentially significant to information retrieval? • Which of these categories/elements are, or could be useful in improving information retrieval? • How can features of context be used to improve information retrieval? Most papers are pertinent to more than one discussion group. Suggestions for preparations for a given discussion group are given as A,B,C below. Please take time to read papers that are relevant to the discussion group you plan to attend. General Terms: IR Theory. INTRODUCTION IR research is now conducted in multi-media, multilingual, and multi-modal environments but largely in a context-free manner. However, the retrieval of such information will depend on time, place, history of interaction, task in hand, and a range of other factors that are not given explicitly but are implicit in the interaction and ambient environment, namely the context. Such contextual data can be used effectively to constrain retrieval of information thereby reducing the complexity of the retrieval process. Context implies interactive IR and there exist a stratification of contexts in association to IR engines and systems …