What is information retrieval?

Information retrieval describes the scientific methods, processes, and procedures that are used in the retrieval of recorded data in files and databases. This science covers the overall search activity that seeks information in a document (including text and images), the document itself, or the metadata within a document. This type of unstructured material (often in text-based documents) is usually found in full-text databases. Many modern libraries and archival storage centers use information retrieval software that serves to organize, store and retrieve data and information from document sites and article repositories. When searching for particular data or information, a user can search for this information using full-text or content-based indexing tools.

Why is it valuable to learn information retrieval?

Information retrieval is valuable to learn because it helps us make sense of information and data. Imagine the difficulty of looking for information on the internet or in a library database without the use of a centralized search mechanism. It would just be a blur of reports, studies, plain text, images, and more. Information retrieval systems serve to bring knowledge and understanding to this information and data. Learning about information retrieval may help you understand the ways that unstructured data is collected, reviewed, and organized, and how data science and knowledge management combine to create a basis for understanding information retrieval.

What jobs can I get from learning information retrieval?

Some of the typical jobs you can get from learning information retrieval could include jobs like a data scientist, data engineer, machine learning engineer, library archivist, database developer, knowledge management director, and similar roles that work with data and information. As more information is classified as data, the careers that are most often seen in the science of information retrieval are centered around data science and its related disciplines.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn information retrieval?

Learning about information retrieval from online courses on Coursera can help you understand the complexities of unstructured data and the basics of natural language text data. You could find out why data collection and data organization are essential to our world knowledge. You may also learn how search engine technologies are able to bring value and efficiency to our world by quickly finding and categorizing unstructured data and information from databases.

What are the benefits of taking an online Information Retrieval course?

Online Information Retrieval courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Information Retrieval skills. Choose from a wide range of Information Retrieval courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Information Retrieval courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Information Retrieval, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Information Retrieval Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Information Retrieval Course Catalog

Status: Free
Amazon Web Services
Introduction to Information Retrieval with Amazon Q
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Productivity Software, AI Product Strategy, Amazon Web Services
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Text Retrieval and Search Engines
Skills you'll gain: Text Mining, Natural Language Processing, Data Mining, Unstructured Data, Big Data, Web Scraping, Machine Learning Algorithms, Web Analytics and SEO, Machine Learning, Information Architecture, Statistical Methods
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
960 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Information Technology (IT) Fundamentals for Everyone
Skills you'll gain: Information Technology, Computer Hardware, Cloud Computing, Network Troubleshooting, Software Installation, Technical Support and Services, Cybersecurity, Hardware Troubleshooting, Data Storage, Database Software, Operating Systems, Computer Networking, IT Infrastructure, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Project Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
238 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Preview
Status: AI skills
DeepLearning.AI
Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)
Skills you'll gain: LLM Application, Large Language Modeling, ChatGPT, Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, System Monitoring, Application Security, Natural Language Processing, Semantic Web, Artificial Intelligence
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
107 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Coursera Instructor Network
Introduction to Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)
Skills you'll gain: LangChain, Prompt Engineering, LLM Application, Large Language Modeling, Tool Calling, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, OpenAI, Generative AI Agents
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
University of Copenhagen
Academic Information Seeking
Skills you'll gain: Research, Record Keeping, Data Collection, Document Management, Information Management, Intellectual Property
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
758 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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Status: New
Status: Free Trial
IBM
UX Research and Information Architecture
Skills you'll gain: Information Architecture, UI/UX Research, Design Research, Experience Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, UI/UX Strategy, Persona Development, Usability, Qualitative Research, Usability Testing, Surveys, Human Centered Design, Technical Communication, Prototyping, Tree Maps, Product Strategy, Interviewing Skills
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Pearson
Quick Start Guide to Large Language Models (LLMs)
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Large Language Modeling, LLM Application, ChatGPT, Natural Language Processing, Generative AI Agents, OpenAI, Generative Model Architectures, Multimodal Prompts, Generative AI, Responsible AI, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), AI Personalization, Cost Management, Deep Learning, Application Deployment, Artificial Intelligence, Case Studies, Reinforcement Learning, Machine Learning
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Packt
Retrieval Augmented Generation
Skills you'll gain: Large Language Modeling, LLM Application, Development Environment, Multimodal Prompts, Tool Calling, Generative AI Agents, User Interface (UI), Generative AI, Human Computer Interaction, Prompt Engineering, Data Visualization, Semantic Web, Software Development Tools, Interactive Data Visualization, Image Analysis, Application Development, Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Text Mining, Graph Theory
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
IBM
RAG for Generative AI Applications
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, LangChain, LLM Application, Generative AI, Generative AI Agents, User Interface (UI), Application Development, Large Language Modeling, UI Components, Databases, Data Storage Technologies, NoSQL, Data Storage, Flask (Web Framework), Query Languages, Artificial Intelligence, Database Architecture and Administration, Applied Machine Learning, Information Management, Jupyter
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
264 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Advanced RAG with Vector Databases and Retrievers
Skills you'll gain: LLM Application, User Interface (UI), Application Development, Large Language Modeling, UI Components, Generative AI, Prompt Engineering, Performance Tuning, Database Management Systems, Natural Language Processing, Scalability
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Vector Database Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: MongoDB, NoSQL, Databases, PostgreSQL, Database Management Systems, Relational Databases, SQL, Database Design, Applied Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Database Architecture and Administration, Database Management, LLM Application, Natural Language Processing, Apache Cassandra, Text Mining, Generative AI, Node.JS, Machine Learning, Data Science
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
63 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 4 Weeks