The seventeen theoretical constructs of information searching and information retrieval
Bernard J. Jim Jansen, Soo Young Rieh · Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology · 2010
Abstract In this article, we identify, compare, and contrast theoretical constructs for the fields of information searching and information retrieval to emphasize the uniqueness of and synergy between the fields. Theoretical constructs are the foundational elements that underpin a field's core theories, models, assumptions, methodologies, and evaluation metrics. We provide a framework to compare and contrast the theoretical constructs in the fields of information searching and information retrieval usingintellectual perspectiveandtheoretical orientation. The intellectual perspectives areinformation searching,information retrieval, andcross‐cutting; and the theoretical orientations areinformation,people, andtechnology. Using this framework, we identify 17 significant constructs in these fields contrasting the differences and comparing the similarities. We discuss the impact of the interplay among these constructs for moving research forward within both fields. Although there is tension between the fields due to contradictory constructs, an examination shows a trend toward convergence. We discuss the implications for future research within the information searching and information retrieval fields.