Showing papers in "Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology in 2002"
TL;DR: The literature review examines empirical evidence, key reviews, and descriptive material related to credibility in general, and in terms of on-line media, and proposes a model for much-needed future research in this area.
Abstract: This article reviews selected literature related to the credibility of information, including (1) the general markers of credibility, and how different source, message and receiver characteristics affect people's perceptions of information; (2) the impact of information medium on the assessment of credibility; and (3) the assessment of credibility in the context of information presented on the Internet. The objective of the literature review is to synthesize the current state of knowledge in this area, develop new ways to think about how people interact with information presented via the Internet, and suggest next steps for research and practical applications. The review examines empirical evidence, key reviews, and descriptive material related to credibility in general, and in terms of on-line media. A general discussion of credibility and persuasion and a description of recent work on the credibility and persuasiveness of computer-based applications is presented. Finally, the article synthesizes what we have learned from various fields, and proposes a model as a framework for much-needed future research in this area.
950 citations
TL;DR: It was found that the subjects made two distinct kinds of judgment: predictive judgment, and evaluative judgment, which were identified in terms of characteristics of information objects, characteristics of sources, knowledge, situation, ranking in search output, and general assumption.
Abstract: In the Web, making judgments of information quality and authority is a difficult task for most users because overall, there is no quality control mechanism. This study examines the problem of the judgment of information quality and cognitive authority by observing people's searching behavior in the Web. Its purpose is to understand the various factors that influence people's judgment of quality and authority in the Web, and the effects of those judgments on selection behaviors. Fifteen scholars from diverse disciplines participated, and data were collected combining verbal protocols during the searches, search logs, and postsearch interviews. It was found that the subjects made two distinct kinds of judgment: predictive judgment, and evaluative judgment. The factors influencing each judgment of quality and authority were identified in terms of characteristics of information objects, characteristics of sources, knowledge, situation, ranking in search output, and general assumption. Implications for Web design that will effectively support people's judgments of quality and authority are also discussed.
653 citations
TL;DR: This article identifies four challenges to knowledge integration in virtual team environments: constraints on transactive memory, insufficient mutual understanding, failure in sharing and retaining contextual knowledge, and inflexibility of organizational ties, and proposes knowledge management system (KMS) approaches to meet these challenges.
Abstract: Virtual teams are becoming a preferred mechanism for harnessing, integrating, and applying knowledge that is distributed across organizations and in pockets of collaborative networks. In this article we recognize that knowledge application, among the three phases of knowledge management, has received little research attention. Paradoxically, this phase contributes most to value creation. Extending communication theory, we identify four challenges to knowledge integration in virtual team environments: constraints on transactive memory, insufficient mutual understanding, failure in sharing and retaining contextual knowledge, and inflexibility of organizational ties. We then propose knowledge management system (KMS) approaches to meet these challenges. Finally, we identify promising avenues for future research in this area.
528 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that effective knowledge management in many disciplinary contexts must be based on understanding the dynamic nature of knowledge itself, and programs built around knowledge as a dynamic process are needed.
Abstract: Knowledge management (KM) or knowledge sharing in organizations is based on an understanding of knowledge creation and knowledge transfer In implementation, KM is an effort to benefit from the knowledge that resides in an organization by using it to achieve the organization's mission The transfer of tacit or implicit knowledge to explicit and accessible formats, the goal of many KM projects, is challenging, controversial, and endowed with ongoing management issues This article argues that effective knowledge management in many disciplinary contexts must be based on understanding the dynamic nature of knowledge itself The article critiques some current thinking in the KM literature and concludes with a view towards knowledge management programs built around knowledge as a dynamic process
433 citations
TL;DR: This article reviews the published findings from empirical studies of hypermedia learning and classifies the research into five themes: nonlinear learning, learner control, navigation in hyperspace, matching and mismatching, and learning effectiveness.
Abstract: There has been an increased growth in the use of hypermedia to deliver learning and teaching material. However, much remains to be learned about how different learners perceive such systems. Therefore, it is essential to build robust learning models to illustrate how hypermedia features are experienced by different learners. Research into individual differences suggests cognitive styles have a significant effect on student learning in hypermedia systems. In particular, Witkin's Field Dependence has been extensively examined in previous studies. This article reviews the published findings from empirical studies of hypermedia learning. Specifically, the review classifies the research into five themes: nonlinear learning, learner control, navigation in hyperspace, matching and mismatching, and learning effectiveness. A learning model, developed from an analysis of findings of the previous studies, is presented. Finally, implications for the design of hypermedia learning systems are discussed.
336 citations
TL;DR: It is claimed that, given elementary skills in computer-based retrieval, people are basically interacting with representations of subject literatures in IR, and it is shown that the most general level of relevance criteria is implied by epistemological theories.
Abstract: This article presents a socio-cognitive perspective in relation to information science (IS) and information retrieval (IR). The differences between traditional cognitive views and the socio-cognitive or domain-analytic view are outlined. It is claimed that, given elementary skills in computer-based retrieval, people are basically interacting with representations of subject literatures in IR. The kind of knowledge needed to interact with representations of subject literatures is discussed. It is shown how different approaches or paradigms in the represented literature imply different information needs and relevance criteria (which users typically cannot express very well, which is why IS cannot primarily rely on user studies). These principles are exemplified by comparing behaviorism, cognitivism, psychoanalysis, and neuroscience as approaches in psychology. The relevance criteria implicit in each position are outlined, and empirical data are provided to prove the theoretical claims. It is further shown that the most general level of relevance criteria is implied by epistemological theories. The article concludes that the fundamental problems of IS and IR are based in epistemology, which therefore becomes the most important allied field for IS.
286 citations
TL;DR: A new procedure using citations, papers and references as parameters a relatedness factor (RF) is computed for a series of journals and appears to select a set of journals that are semantically most similar to the target journal.
Abstract: Using citations, papers and references as parameters a relatedness factor (RF) is computed for a series of journals. Sorting these journals by the RF produces a list of journals most closely related to a specified starting journal. The method appears to select a set of journals that are semantically most similar to the target journal. The algorithmic procedure is illustrated for the journal Genetics. Inter-journal citation data needed to calculate the RF were obtained from the 1996 ISI Journal Citation Reports on CD-ROM©. Out of the thousands of candidate journals in JCR©, 30 have been selected. Some of them are different from the journals in the JCR category for genetics and heredity. The new procedure is unique in that it takes varying journal sizes into account.
259 citations
TL;DR: The results indicated that there is a relatively strong relationship between types of information and types of sources, and the effects of task complexity made experts more attractive as a source than other people and all types of documentary sources.
Abstract: This article presents the research findings of a study on task complexity and information-seeking activities in real-life work tasks. The focus was on perceived task complexity, which was determined according to the task performers' prior knowledge about the task ahead. This view on task complexity is closely related to research considering task uncertainty and analyzability. Information-seeking activities considered were a need to acquire different types of information and the subsequent use of different types of sources. The research data were mainly collected by (1) self-recorded journals that were filled out by municipal administrators in the course of performing their ordinary work duties (altogether 78 task diaries), and (2) subsequent interviews. The results indicated that there is a relatively strong relationship between types of information and types of sources. The effects of task complexity made experts more attractive as a source than other people and all types of documentary sources.
251 citations
TL;DR: The nature of Knowledge Management is examined - how it differs from Data Management and Information Management, and its relationship to the development of Expert Systems and Decision Support Systems is examined.
Abstract: This article examines the nature of Knowledge Management - how it differs from Data Management and Information Management, and its relationship to the development of Expert Systems and Decision Support Systems. It also examines the importance of Communities of Practice and Tacit Knowledge for Knowledge Management. The discussion is organized around five explicit questions. One: What is "knowledge"? Two: Why are people, especially managers, thinking about Knowledge Management? Three: What are the enabling technologies for Knowledge Management? Four: What are the prerequisites for Knowledge Management? Five: What are the major challenges for Knowledge Management?
241 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that evaluation methods should credit IR methods for their ability to retrieve highly relevant documents, and a novel application of P-R curves and average precision computations based on separate recall bases for documents of different degrees of relevance is proposed.
Abstract: This article proposes evaluation methods based on the use of nondichotomous relevance judgements in IR experiments. It is argued that evaluation methods should credit IR methods for their ability to retrieve highly relevant documents. This is desirable from the user point of view in modern large IR environments. The proposed methods are (1) a novel application of P-R curves and average precision computations based on separate recall bases for documents of different degrees of relevance, and (2) generalized recall and precision based directly on multiple grade relevance assessments (i.e., not dichotomizing the assessments). We demonstrate the use of the traditional and the novel evaluation measures in a case study on the effectiveness of query types, based on combinations of query structures and expansion, in retrieving documents of various degrees of relevance. The test was run with a best match retrieval system (InQuery1) in a text database consisting of newspaper articles. To gain insight into the retrieval process, one should use both graded relevance assessments and effectiveness measures that enable one to observe the differences, if any, between retrieval methods in retrieving documents of different levels of relevance. In modern times of information overload, one should pay attention, in particular, to the capability of retrieval methods retrieving highly relevant documents.
239 citations
TL;DR: The results imply that the flexibility of the Web and Web search engines allows different users to complete different search tasks successfully, however, the search techniques used and the efficiency of the searches appear to depend on how well the individual searcher fits with the specific task.
Abstract: Users' individual differences and tasks are important factors that influence the use of information systems. Two independent investigations were conducted to study the impact of differences in users' cognition and search tasks on Web search activities and outcomes. Strong task effects were found on search activities and outcomes, whereas interactions between cognitive and task variables were found on search activities only. These results imply that the flexibility of the Web and Web search engines allows different users to complete different search tasks successfully. However, the search techniques used and the efficiency of the searches appear to depend on how well the individual searcher fits with the specific task.
TL;DR: The article addresses two related phenomena: (1) the life cycle of Web objects, and (2) changes to Web objects.
Abstract: Changes in the topography of the Web can be expressed in at least four ways: (1) more sites on more servers in more places, (2) more pages and objects added to existing sites and pages, (3) changes in traffic, and (4) modifications to existing text, graphic, and other Web objects. This article does not address the first three factors (more sites, more pages, more traffic) in the growth of the Web. It focuses instead on changes to an existing set of Web documents. The article documents changes to an aging set of Web pages, first identified and collected in December 1996 and followed weekly thereafter. Results are reported through February 2001. The article addresses two related phenomena: (1) the life cycle of Web objects, and (2) changes to Web objects. These data reaffirm that the half-life of a Web page is approximately 2years. There is variation among Web pages by top-level domain and by page type (navigation, content). Web page content appears to stabilize over time; aging pages change less often than once they did.
TL;DR: Children preferred the fully self-generated task to the two fully assigned tasks due to their ability to find the information sought and satisfaction with search results rather than the nature of the task in itself.
Abstract: This article presents the third part of a research project that investigated the information-seeking behavior and success of seventh-grade science children in using the Yahooligans! Web search engine/directory. In parts 1 and 2, children performed fully assigned tasks to pursue in the engine. In the present study, children generated their tasks fully. Children's information seeking was captured from the cognitive, physical, and affective perspectives using both quantitative and qualitative inquiry methods. Their information-seeking behavior and success on the fully self-generated task was compared to the behavior and success they exhibited in the two fully assigned tasks. Children were more successful on the fully self-generated task than the two fully assigned tasks. Children preferred the fully self-generated task to the two fully assigned tasks due to their ability to find the information sought and satisfaction with search results rather than the nature of the task in itself (i.e., self-generated aspect). Children were more successful when they browsed than when they searched by keyword on the three tasks. Yahooligans! design, especially its poor keyword searching, contributed to the breakdowns children experienced, implications for system design improvement and Web training are discussed.
TL;DR: Personal preference was found to play a major role in Web site evaluation in the areas of graphic/multimedia and subject content preferences, and the role of personal preferences in Web-based decisions.
Abstract: This study investigated Simon's behavioral decision-making theories of bounded rationality and satisficing in relation to young people's decision making in the World Wide Web, and considered the role of personal preferences in Web-based decisions. It employed a qualitative research methodology involving group interviews with 22 adolescent females. Data analysis took the form of iterative pattern coding using QSR NUD*IST Vivo qualitative data analysis software. Data analysis revealed that the study participants did operate within the limits of bounded rationality. These limits took the form of time constraints, information overload, and physical constraints. Data analysis also uncovered two major satisficing behaviors - reduction and termination. Personal preference was found to play a major role in Web site evaluation in the areas of graphic/multimedia and subject content preferences. This study has related implications for Web site designers and for adult intermediaries who work with young people and the Web.
TL;DR: This article describes the methodology in detail, and suggests that a mix of survey instruments and in-person observations can yield the type of rich data set that is necessary to understand in depth the differences in people's information retrieval behavior online.
Abstract: Finding information on the Web can be a much more complex search process than previously experienced on many pre-Web information retrieval systems given that finding content online does not have to happen via a search algorithm typed into a search field. Rather, the Web allows for a myriad of search strategies. Although there are numerous studies of Web search techniques, these studies often limit their focus to just one part of the search process and are not based on the behavior of the general user population, nor do they include information about the users. To remedy these shortcomings, this project looks at how people find information online in the context of their other media use, their general Internet use patterns, in addition to using information about their demographic background and social support networks. This article describes the methodology in detail, and suggests that a mix of survey instruments and in-person observations can yield the type of rich data set that is necessary to understand in depth the differences in people's information retrieval behavior online.
TL;DR: This project has investigated the processes of mediated information retrieval (IR) searching during human information-seeking processes to characterize aspects of this process, including information seekers' changing situational contexts; information problems; uncertainty reduction; successive searching, cognitive styles; and cognitive and affective states.
Abstract: Our project has investigated the processes of mediated information retrieval (IR) searching during human information-seeking processes to characterize aspects of this process, including information seekers' changing situational contexts; information problems; uncertainty reduction; successive searching, cognitive styles; and cognitive and affective states. The research has involved observational, longitudinal data collection in the United States and United Kingdom. Three questionnaires were used for pre- and postsearch interviews: reference interview, information seeker postsearch, and search intermediary postsearch questionnaires. In addition, the Sheffield team employed a fourth set of instruments in a follow-up interview some 2 months after the search. A total of 198 information seekers participated in a mediated on-line search with a professional intermediary using the Dialog Information Service. Each mediated search process was audio taped and search transaction log recorded. The findings are presented in four parts. Part I presents the background, theoretical framework, models, and research design used during the research. Part II is devoted to exploring changes in information seekers' uncertainty during the mediated process. Part III provides results related to successive searching. Part IV reports findings related to cognitive styles, individual differences, age and gender. Additional articles that discuss further findings from this complex research project, including: (1) an integrated model of information seeking and searching, (2) assessment of mediated searching, and (3) intermediary-information seeker communication, are in preparation and will be published separately.
TL;DR: The application of the knowledge visualization tool, VxInsight, is presented to enable domain analysis for science and technology management within the enterprise to enable quick and powerful analysis of the resulting landscapes.
Abstract: We present the application of our knowledge visualization tool, VxInsight, to enable domain analysis for science and technology management within the enterprise. Data mining from sources of bibliographic information is used to define subsets of information relevant to a technology domain. Relationships between the individual objects (e.g., articles) are identified using citations, descriptive terms, or textual similarities. Objects are then clustered using a force-directed placement algorithm to produce a terrain view of the many thousands of objects. A variety of features that allow exploration and manipulation of the landscapes and that give detail on demand, enable quick and powerful analysis of the resulting landscapes. Examples of domain analyses used in S&T management at Sandia are given.
TL;DR: The article concludes that the problem solving model is recognized by such researchers as describing their activities and that the uncertainty concept, operationalized as here, serves as a useful variable in understanding information-seeking behavior.
Abstract: This article explores the relationship between the concept of uncertainty in information seeking, within a model of the problem-solving process proposed by Wilson (1999a) and variables derived from other models and from the work of Ellis and Kuhlthau. The research has involved longitudinal data collection in the United States and United Kingdom employing three interview schedules (incorporating self-completed questionnaires) used for pre- and postsearch interviews: and postsearch interviews with the information seeker and the search intermediary. In addition, the Sheffield team employed a fourth set of instruments in a follow-up interview some 2 months after the search. Related search episodes, with a professional search intermediary using the Dialog Information Service and other sources were audiotaped, and search transaction logs were recorded. The mediated search clients were faculty and research students engaged in either personal or externally supported research projects. The article concludes that the problem solving model is recognized by such researchers as describing their activities and that the uncertainty concept, operationalized as here, serves as a useful variable in understanding information-seeking behavior. It also concludes that Ellis's concept of search characteristics and Kuhlthau's information-seeking stages are independent of the problem stage, and that a set of affective variables, based on those of Kuhlthau, appear to signify a generalized positive or negative affective orientation towards the course of the information problem solution.
TL;DR: A more complex model of human seeking and searching levels that incorporates multitasking information behaviors is presented, and a theoretical framework for human information coordinating behavior (HICB) is proposed.
Abstract: Recent studies show that humans engage in multitasking behaviors as they seek and search information retrieval (IR) systems for information on more than one topic at the same time. For example, a Web search session by a single user may consist of searching on single topics or multitasking. Findings are presented from four separate studies of the prevalence of multitasking information seeking and searching by Web, IR system, and library users. Incidence of multitasking identified in the four different studies included: (1) users of the Excite Web search engine who completed a survey form, (2) Excite Web search engine users filtered from an Excite transaction log from 20 December 1999, (3) mediated on-line databases searches, and (4) academic library users. Findings include: (1) multitasking information seeking and searching is a common human behavior, (2) users may conduct information seeking and searching on related or unrelated topics, (3) Web or IR multitasking search sessions are longer than single topic sessions, (4) mean number of topics per Web search ranged of 1 to more than 10 topics with a mean of 2.11 topic changes per search session, and (4) many Web search topic changes were from hobbies to shopping and vice versa. A more complex model of human seeking and searching levels that incorporates multitasking information behaviors is presented, and a theoretical framework for human information coordinating behavior (HICB) is proposed. Multitasking information seeking and searching is developing as major research area that draws together IR and information seeking studies toward a focus on IR within the context of human information behavior. Implications for models of information seeking and searching, IR/Web systems design, and further research are discussed.
TL;DR: Field-independent researchers were more analytic and active than their field-dependent counterparts, and Holists engaged more in exploratory and serendipitous behavior, and were more idiosyncratic in their communication than serialists.
Abstract: This is the fourth in a series resulting from a joint research project directed by Professor Tom Wilson in the United Kingdom and Dr. Amanda Spink in the United States. The analysis reported here sought to test a number of hypotheses linking global/analytic cognitive styles and aspects of researchers' problem-solving and related information-seeking behavior. One hundred and eleven postdoctoral researchers were assessed for Witkin's field dependence/independence using Riding's Cognitive Styles Analysis and for Pask's holist/serialist biases using items from Ford's Study Processes Questionnaire. These measures were correlated with the researchers' perceptions of aspects of their problem-solving and information-seeking behavior, and with those of the search intermediary who performed literature searches on their behalf. A number of statistically significant correlations were found. Field-independent researchers were more analytic and active than their field-dependent counterparts. Holists engaged more in exploratory and serendipitous behavior, and were more idiosyncratic in their communication than serialists.
TL;DR: This article presents a retrieval technique that adopts the similarity measure of the vector space model, incorporates the document structure, and supports structured queries and term-based ranking.
Abstract: XML represents both content and structure of documents. Taking advantage of the document structure promises to greatly improve the retrieval precision. In this article, we present a retrieval technique that adopts the similarity measure of the vector space model, incorporates the document structure, and supports structured queries. Our query model is based on tree matching as a simple and elegant means to formulate queries without knowing the exact structure of the data. Using this query model we propose a logical document concept by deciding on the document boundaries at query time. We combine structured queries and term-based ranking by extending the term concept to structural terms that include substructures of queries and documents. The notions of term frequency and inverse document frequency are adapted to logical documents and structural terms. We introduce an efficient technique to calculate all necessary term frequencies and inverse document frequencies at query time. By adjusting parameters of the retrieval process we are able to model two contrary approaches: the classical vector space model, and the original tree matching approach.
TL;DR: It was discovered that the domain and directory models were able to successfully reduce the impact of anomalous linking behavior between pairs of Web sites, with the latter being the method of choice.
Abstract: All known previous Web link studies have used the Web page as the primary indivisible source document for counting purposes. Arguments are presented to explain why this is not necessarily optimal and why other alternatives have the potential to produce better results. This is despite the fact that individual Web files are often the only choice if search engines are used for raw data and are the easiest basic Web unit to identify. The central issue is of defining the Web "document": that which should comprise the single indissoluble unit of coherent material. Three alternative heuristics are defined for the educational arena based upon the directory, the domain and the whole university site. These are then compared by implementing them on a set of 108 UK university institutional Web sites under the assumption that a more effective heuristic will tend to produce results that correlate more highly with institutional research productivity. It was discovered that the domain and directory models were able to successfully reduce the impact of anomalous linking behavior between pairs of Web sites, with the latter being the method of choice. Reasons are then given as to why a document model on its own cannot eliminate all anomalies in Web linking behavior. Finally, the results from all models give a clear confirmation of the very strong association between the research productivity of a UK university and the number of incoming links from its peers' Web sites.
TL;DR: This study applied the Biglan model of disciplinary differences to the information-seeking behavior patterns of 5,175 undergraduates responding to questions on the College Student Experiences Questionnaire (CSEQ).
Abstract: This study applied the Biglan model of disciplinary differences to the information-seeking behavior patterns of 5,175 undergraduates responding to questions on the College Student Experiences Questionnaire (CSEQ). The Biglan model categorizes academic disciplines along three dimensions: (1) hard-soft, (2) pure-applied, and (3) life-nonlife systems. Using t-tests, this model proved to be valid for distinguishing differences in undergraduates' information-seeking behavior patterns among various academic disciplines. The results indicate that the Biglan model has implications for the redesign of academic library services and use as a valid theoretical framework for future library and information science research.
TL;DR: Design criteria for children's Web portals should cater for both educational and entertainment needs, use attractive screen designs based especially on effective use of color, graphics, and animation, provide both keyword search facilities and browsable subject categories, and allow individual user personalization in areas such as color and graphics.
Abstract: Four focus groups were held with young Web users (10 to 13 years of age) to explore design criteria for Web portals. The focus group participants commented upon four existing portals designed with young users in mind: Ask Jeeves for Kids, KidsClick, Lycos Zone, and Yahooligans! This article reports their first impressions on using these portals, their likes and dislikes, and their suggestions for improvements. Design criteria for children's Web portals are elaborated based upon these comments under four headings: portal goals, visual design, information architecture, and personalization. An ideal portal should cater for both educational and entertainment needs, use attractive screen designs based especially on effective use of color, graphics, and animation, provide both keyword search facilities and browsable subject categories, and allow individual user personalization in areas such as color and graphics.
TL;DR: Results indicate that multiple criteria are used when making relevant, partially relevant, and not-relevant judgments, and that most criteria can have either a positive or negative contribution to the relevance of a document.
Abstract: This study investigates the use of criteria to assess relevant, partially relevant, and not-relevant documents. Study participants identified passages within 20 document representations that they used to make relevance judgments; judged each document representation as a whole to be relevant, partially relevant, or not relevant to their information need; and explained their decisions in an interview. Analysis revealed 29 criteria, discussed positively and negatively, that were used by the participants when selecting passages that contributed or detracted from a document's relevance. These criteria can be grouped into six categories: abstract (e.g., citability, informativeness), author (e.g., novelty, discipline, affiliation, perceived status), content (e.g., accuracy/validity, background, novelty, contrast, depth/scope, domain, citations, links, relevant to other interests, rarity, subject matter, thought catalyst), full text (e.g., audience, novelty, type, possible content, utility), journal/publisher (e.g., novelty, main focus, perceived quality), and personal (e.g., competition, time requirements). Results further indicate that multiple criteria are used when making relevant, partially relevant, and not-relevant judgments, and that most criteria can have either a positive or negative contribution to the relevance of a document. The criteria most frequently mentioned by study participants were content, followed by criteria characterizing the full text document. These findings may have implications for relevance feedback in information retrieval systems, suggesting that systems accept and utilize multiple positive and negative relevance criteria from users. Systems designers may want to focus on supporting content criteria followed by full text criteria as these may provide the greatest cost benefit.
TL;DR: A model of information interactivity that crosses the "no-man's land" between user and computer is elaborates on, articulating a model that includes user, content and system, illustrating the context for information architecture.
Abstract: Information interaction is the process that people use in interacting with the content of an information system. Information architecture is a blueprint and navigational aid to the content of information-rich systems. As such information architecture performs an important supporting role in information interactivity. This article elaborates on a model of information interactivity that crosses the "no-man's land" between user and computer articulating a model that includes user, content and system, illustrating the context for information architecture.
TL;DR: How young children who are in the process of learning to read cope with searching for information in a largely textual corpus is focused on, and how they make up for their deficit in textual experience.
Abstract: This article presents a case study of the information-seeking behavior of 7-year-old children in a semistructured situation in their school library media center. The study focuses on how young children who are in the process of learning to read cope with searching for information in a largely textual corpus, and how they make up for their deficit in textual experience. Children's search strategies are examined and discussed in the context of computer versus shelf searching, textual versus visual searching, and in comparison with adult search dimensions previously established.
TL;DR: A study of the "real world" Web information searching behavior of 206 college students over a 10-month period showed that, contrary to expectations, the users adopted a more passive or browsing approach to Web information search and became more eclectic in their selection of Web hosts as they gained experience.
Abstract: A study of the "real world" Web information searching behavior of 206 college students over a 10-month period showed that, contrary to expectations, the users adopted a more passive or browsing approach to Web information searching and became more eclectic in their selection of Web hosts as they gained experience. The study used a longitudinal transaction log analysis of the URLs accessed during 5,431 user days of Web information searching to detect changes in information searching behavior associated with increased experience of using the Web. The findings have implications for the design of future Web information retrieval tools.
TL;DR: A study that uses a new analysis and display tool to examine the influences of understanding the system and goals on end-user Internet searching concludes that experience and motivation, elements of situational goals and mental models, work in tandem to determine search approaches, Web sites visited, and sources used.
Abstract: This article reports on a study that uses a new analysis and display tool to examine the influences of understanding the system and goals on end-user Internet searching. Thirty-one public library users were observed searching the Web and/or a Web-based on-line catalog. The study identified four user categories, distinguished by the number of search approaches employed. These included linking, use of search engines, URL use, on-line catalog searching, and searching within a specific Web-site domain. Results conclude that experience and motivation, elements of situational goals and mental models, work in tandem to determine search approaches, Web sites visited, and sources used. People who sought information for job-related or educational purposes were highly motivated. Thus, they were persistent. Those who had a great deal of Internet experience used an array of tools; while those with immature mental models of the Internet relied more heavily on the Web on-line catalog or off-line sources. People seeking information for recreational or personal use were not highly motivated. Whether experienced or not, they relied on serendipity, linking, and other tasks that were not cognitively overbearing. When searching became too difficult, they abandoned the Internet as an information source.
TL;DR: This article surveys several indexing techniques for XML documents, grouping them into flat-file, semistructured, and structured indexing paradigms, and discusses various open issues that XML poses with respect to information retrieval and database research.
Abstract: XML holds the promise to yield (1) a more precise search by providing additional information in the elements, (2) a better integrated search of documents from heterogeneous sources, (3) a powerful search paradigm using structural as well as content specifications, and (4) data and information exchange to share resources and to support cooperative search. We survey several indexing techniques for XML documents, grouping them into flat-file, semistructured, and structured indexing paradigms. Searching techniques and supporting techniques for searching are reviewed, including full text search and multistage search. Because searching XML documents can be very flexible, various search result presentations are discussed, as well as database and information retrieval system integration and XML query languages. We also survey various retrieval models, examining how they would be used or extended for retrieving XML documents. To conclude the article, we discuss various open issues that XML poses with respect to information retrieval and database research.