Abstract: Using literature data from Web of Science, the authors briefly summarize the trend of information retrieval research, utilize information visualization tools such as CiteSpace, Ucinet and Pajekto reveal knowledge sources, national cooperation, and collaboration between institutions, authors or journals. The results show that the earliest literature on information retrieval study was The Constant Comparative Method of Qualitative Analysis published by Glaser B in 1967; that the United States has the largest amount of publications in the field; that the cooperation between China, Australia, and Italy are closer than that of the rest; that collaboration between authors is little; that collaboration between organizations is more frequent and closer; that the focuses are put on case studies, information culture research, information management performance and innovation model research.

Key words: Information retrieval, Mapping knowledge domain, Research focus, Visualization analysis