Searchplex ID Retrieval terminology registry

Task

Multi-Hop Retrieval

Canonical ID https://id.searchplex.net/multi-hop-retrieval/

A retrieval task or pattern in which satisfying an information need requires multiple dependent retrieval steps or evidence gathered across several linked pieces of information.

Also called

  • Multihop Retrieval

Scope

Multi-hop retrieval is common in complex question answering and agentic RAG, where one retrieved result can inform the next retrieval step. It is distinct from multi-stage ranking, which describes a staged ranking architecture, and from retrieve-and-rerank, which is a particular pipeline pattern.

Observed terms

  • Multi-Step Retrieval industry

Part of family

Not equivalent to

  • Multi-Hop Retrieval is not Agentic Retrieval. Multi-hop retrieval is a retrieval pattern; agentic retrieval is the broader agent-controlled loop that may perform multi-hop retrieval.
  • Multi-Hop Retrieval is not Iterative Retrieval. Multi-hop retrieval involves dependent evidence hops or subproblems; iterative retrieval is broader and includes any repeated retrieval attempts.
  • Multi-Hop Retrieval is not Multi-Stage Ranking. Multi-hop retrieval uses multiple dependent retrieval steps or evidence hops; multi-stage ranking is a retrieval-system architecture with successive ranking stages.
  • Multi-Hop Retrieval is not Retrieve-and-Rerank. Retrieve-and-rerank retrieves a candidate set and then reranks it; multi-hop retrieval performs multiple dependent retrieval steps.
  • Multi-Hop Retrieval is not Single-Shot Retrieval. Multi-hop retrieval uses multiple dependent retrieval steps or evidence hops; single-shot retrieval uses one query or retrieval attempt without dependent follow-up steps.

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ID