Searchplex ID Retrieval terminology registry

Task Family

Iterative Retrieval

Canonical ID https://id.searchplex.net/iterative-retrieval/

A retrieval pattern in which retrieval is performed repeatedly, with later retrieval attempts informed by earlier results, feedback, reasoning, reformulation, or intermediate state.

Also called

  • Iterative Search

Scope

Iterative retrieval is broader than multi-hop retrieval and broader than agentic retrieval. The iteration may be user-driven, system-driven, feedback-driven, or agent-driven. It is distinct from interactive search, which emphasizes user-system interaction, and from single-shot retrieval, which performs one non-iterative retrieval attempt.

Observed terms

  • Repeated Retrieval industry
  • Retrieval Loop industry
  • Iterative RAG ml-nlp

Part of family

Includes

Not equivalent to

  • Iterative Retrieval is not Agentic Retrieval. Iterative retrieval may be agent-driven, user-driven, or system-driven; agentic retrieval specifically involves an agent controlling the retrieval loop.
  • Iterative Retrieval is not Interactive Search. Interactive search emphasizes user-system interaction; iterative retrieval can happen internally without user interaction.
  • Iterative Retrieval is not Multi-Hop Retrieval. Iterative retrieval repeats retrieval attempts; multi-hop retrieval specifically uses multiple dependent evidence hops or subproblems.
  • Iterative Retrieval is not Query Reformulation. Query reformulation changes a query; iterative retrieval is the broader repeated retrieval pattern that may use reformulation between attempts.
  • Iterative Retrieval is not Single-Shot Retrieval. Iterative retrieval performs repeated retrieval attempts; single-shot retrieval performs one non-iterative retrieval attempt.

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ID