Meta- and Object-language in Information Retrieval Research
Julian Warner · Proceedings of the Annual Conference of CAIS / Actes du congrès annuel de l ACSI · 2013
The distinction between a meta- and an object-language has become increasingly familiar in information science, through the diffusion of the concept of metadata. A significant antecedent can be found in the development of formal logic. This paper proposes an analogous distinction for information retrieval research, between discourse about and transformations within systems. The aim is to obtain analytical clarity and economy in research effort.