System and method for agent assisted information retrieval

A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for retrieving documents, comprising:

• generating a model of a user's information need;
• evaluating leads present in the model to determine search paths;
• determining the leads to pursue in response to the evaluation;
• pursuing the determined leads, wherein at least one of the leads may be pursued using a different method from the other leads;
• obtaining search results as a result of the pursuit, wherein the search results include documents;
• and
• presenting the search results to the user.

A system for retrieving documents, comprising:

• a processor and a computer-readable medium;
• an operating environment stored on the computer-readable medium and executing on the processor;
• a communication connection device operating under the control of the operating environment;
• an application operating under the control of the operating environment and operative to perform actions, including:
• generating a model of a user's information need;
• evaluating leads present in the model to determine search paths;
• determining the leads to pursue in response to the evaluation;
• pursuing the determined leads, wherein at least one of the leads may be pursued using a different method from the other leads;
• obtaining search results as a result of the pursuit, wherein the search results include documents;
• and
• presenting the search results to the user.