A dialectical approach to information retrieval

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the question of whether the often paradoxical and conceptually contradictory discipline of information retrieval (IR) can be understood more clearly when it is analyzed from a dialectical perspective. Design/methodology/approach – Conceptual analysis and literature review. Findings – A dialectical understanding of meaning can assist in clarifying some aspects of the complex nature of current IR theory. Research limitations/implications – Philosophy has the potential to explore the conflicts and contradictions in IR and should not be used just as a means of synthesis and resolution. The use of the philosophy of meaning should include a broader understanding of the philosophical oppositions which lie behind the nature of meaning. Originality/value – This paper suggests a new perspective on the role of meaning in IR: the dialectical model.