Evaluation of IR systems efficiency. From Cranfield to TREC and CLEF labs. Genesis and methods

We present the genesis and evolution of methods and measures of IR systems evaluation. The design of the Cranfield experiment, a long-term model for evaluation methodology, is described. Evolution of current methodology of IR systems evaluation, developed at the annual TREC (Text REtrieval Conference) is provided, and the most popular and current measures described. The article presents also design of the CLEF (Conference and Labs of the Evaluation Forum) evaluation labs with special attention paid to CHiC (Cultural Heritage in CLEF). We describe the design of Polish Task in CHiClab and discuss conclusions from lab realisation.