Search (197 results, page 3 of 10)

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Abstract

Describes and evaluates the proximity search facilities in external online systems and in-house retrieval software. Discusses and illustrates capabilities, syntax and circumstances of use. Presents measurements of the overheads required by proximity for storage, record input time and search time. The search strategy narrowing effect of proximity is illustrated by recall and precision test results. Usage and problems lead to a number of design ideas for better implementation: some based on existing Boolean strategies, one on the use of weighted proximity to automatically produce ranked output. A comparison of Boolean, quorum and proximate term pairs distance is included

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Abstract

Research methodologies in several of the social sciences require the use of tests. When assisting social science researchers who seek information on tests, reference librarians do not, themselves, always have direct access to the instruments. Librarians should not only have the knowledge that various print and electronic database resources are available to gain needed information, but they should also have a strategy by which these sources can be searched in an expedient and thorough manner. This paper offers such a search strategy which can be used with the materials commonly found in a large research or specialized test library

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Abstract

Offers 10 tips for finding information on the Internet. Define the area and level of expertise. Require end users to complete a request form defining the query. Categorize the Internat in lay terms for casual users. Establich a realistic time for retrieving results. Adopt a disciplined, systematic approach to the search. Understand the operating platform and the major tools available. Maintain a file of important services and addresses and users. Develop bookmarks and home pages. Learn shortcuts. Participate in the Internet Hunt (a monthly series of questions that allows searchers to practice and perfect search skills)

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Abstract

UK and USA textbooks present keyword and controlled vocabulary searching in different ways, and put differing emphasis on the use of variant spellings and word variations. This reflects previous research on the way searchers in the 2 countries prepare online search strategies. Differences may reflect occupational trends, cultural behaviour, or awareness of a greater world view

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Abstract

Discusses the difficulties in searching the Internet, with many different tools available, and varying features associated with each one. Drawing on personal experience of teaching Internet searching, suggests presenting users with strategies for each tool, rather than detailed recipes. This strategic approach seeks to help users analyze their queries, as well as understand the basic types and principles of the different search tools to determine which might provide the most likely starting point. Suggests a preliminary analysis of questions into 4 broad types: hints are also given on finding email addresses and using complex Web browser pages

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Abstract

In this issue Ford, Miller and Moss utilize 68 volunteers from a population of 250 Master's students to complete on the web three search tasks with clear fact based goals and three or less facets. One task required broadening the search concepts from those given, a second provided a specific terminology for one facet but required a second facet that would require translation, and the third required general to specific transformation. The students were measured as to their performance on Entewistle's Revised Inventory of Approaches to Studying providing values for ten study variables and asked to assess their experience on the Internet, with Alta Vista, and with Boolean search. Searches were conducted on Alta Vista using Netscape Navigator 4 with participants free to choose and switch Boolean, best match or combined search modes at will while a front end script recorded all submitted searches and help access. Search related variables extracted were from Boolean only queries, best match only queries, and combined queries. Factor analyses were conducted on all variables for each search mode for each search. In task one Boolean is differentiated from best match search by sharing high loads on active interest, intention to reproduce, fear of failure, and relating ideas. The combined searcher is linked with the best match searcher with low active interest, low intention to reproduce and low fear of failure. In task 2 Boolean is differentiated from best match search by sharing high loads on intention to reproduce and low on intention to understand. Best match loads positively with intention to understand and negatively with intention to reproduce. Combined searching linked with both good and with poor time management. In task 3 the loads mimic task 1. It seems Boolean is consistently linked to a reproductive rather than a meaning seeking approach, but also with high levels of interest and fear of failure. Best match associates with the converse of these measures.

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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.

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Abstract

Cooper identifies search strategies in 21 seven year old children (entering Piaget's concrete operational stage), and compares these to those characterized by a model of adult search strategies with a particular interest on the impact of visual information. Videotapes were made of behavior at a bookshelf of the children in their regularly scheduled media center class and in visits outside the class time. Children largely ignored the camera and commented on the videotapes in a debriefing session. Field notes were also kept. The analysis produced counts of strategy types using the Belkin model. Thirty-three books on spiders were added to the collection and filed normally in Dewey 595.4. A CD-ROM encyclopedia was also made available and both were utilized. Nine search sessions on the CD-ROM encyclopedia were recorded and a Scan/Learn/Recognize strategy was favored. At the shelf a Scan/Select/Recognize strategy was common with only a few looking beyond the cover to make a selection. Metadata use was discussed and the children agreed it should be used. It was used in the CD-ROM search but not at the shelves. There is a tendency to rely on visual information if available, and it appears the Belkin model can be used to characterize children's search behavior.

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Abstract

This article studies one of the main bottlenecks in providing more effective information access: the poverty on the query end. We explore whether users can classify keyword queries into categories from the DMOZ directory on different levels and whether this topical context can help retrieval performance. We have conducted a user study to let participants classify queries into DMOZ categories, either by freely searching the directory or by selection from a list of suggestions. Results of the study show that DMOZ categories are suitable for topic categorization. Both free search and list selection can be used to elicit topical context. Free search leads to more specific categories than the list selections. Participants in our study show moderate agreement on the categories they select, but broad agreement on the higher levels of chosen categories. The free search categories significantly improve retrieval effectiveness. The more general list selection categories and the top-level categories do not lead to significant improvements. Combining topical context with blind relevance feedback leads to better results than applying either of them separately. We conclude that DMOZ is a suitable resource for interacting with users on topical categories applicable to their query, and can lead to better search results.

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Abstract

Evaluation of information during information problem-solving processes already starts when trying to select the appropriate search result on a search engine results page (SERP). Up to now, research has mainly focused on the evaluation of webpages, while the evaluation of SERPs received less attention. Furthermore, task complexity is often not taken into account. A within-subjects design was used to study the influence of task complexity on search query formulation, evaluation of search results, and task performance. Three search tasks were used: a fact-finding, cause-effect, and a controversial topic task. To measure perceptual search processes, we used a combination of log files, eye-tracking data, answer forms, and think-aloud protocols. The results reveal that an increase in task complexity results in more search queries and used keywords, more time to formulate search queries, and more considered search results on the SERPs. Furthermore, higher ranked search results were considered more often than lower ranked results. However, not all the results for the most complex task were in line with expectations. These conflicting results can be explained by a lack of prior knowledge and the possible interference of prior attitudes.

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Abstract

The 4th edition of this popular and well-cited text is now co-authored, and includes significant changes from earlier texts. Presenting a comprehensive review of over a century of research on information behavior (IB), this book is intended for students in information studies and disciplines interested in research on information activities. The initial two chapters introduce IB as a multi-disciplinary topic, the 3rd provides a brief history of research on information seeking. Chapter four discusses what is meant by the terms "information" and "knowledge. "Chapter five discusses "information needs," and how they are addressed. The 6th chapter identifies many related concepts. Twelve models of information behavior (expanded from earlier editions) are illustrated in chapter seven. Chapter eight reviews various paradigms and theories informing IB research. Chapter nine examines research methods invoked in IB studies and a discussion of qualitative and mixed approaches. The 10th chapter gives examples of IB studies by context. The final chapter looks at strengths and weaknesses, recent trends, and future development.

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Abstract

We investigated the searching behaviors of twenty-four children in grades 6, 7, and 8 (ages 11-13) in finding information on three types of search tasks in Google. Children conducted 72 search sessions and issued 150 queries. Children's phrase- and question-like queries combined were much more prevalent than keyword queries (70% vs. 30%, respectively). Fifty two percent of the queries were reformulations (33 sessions). We classified children's query reformulation types into five classes based on the taxonomy by Liu et al. (2010). We found that most query reformulations were by Substitution and Specialization, and that children hardly repeated queries. We categorized children's queries by task facets and examined the way they expressed these facets in their query formulations and reformulations. Oldest children tended to target the general topic of search tasks in their queries most frequently, whereas younger children expressed one of the two facets more often. We assessed children's achieved task outcomes using the search task outcomes measure we developed. Children were mostly more successful on the fact-finding and fully self-generated task and partially successful on the research-oriented task. Query type, reformulation type, achieved task outcomes, and expressing task facets varied by task type and grade level. There was no significant effect of query length in words or of the number of queries issued on search task outcomes. The study findings have implications for human intervention, digital literacy, search task literacy, as well as for system intervention to support children's query formulation and reformulation during interaction with Google.

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Abstract

Reports on a study conducted at Indiana University in the summer of 1993 which observed 10 advanced graduate students in language and literature studies as they conducted literature searches using databases on CD-ROM. Presents a brief review of related literature on relevance judgements, human-computer interaction (HCI) and information seeking behaviour of humanities students. The search strategies of the graduate students under study were found to be typical of humanities scholars, who create large sets and review records quickly to select relevant items. Factors influencing relevance assessments included language, source of publication, author, and length of work. Participants especially appreciated electronic access to the Modern Language Association (MLA) International Bibliography but encountered problems with the controlled vocabulary and analytic entries for books and proceedings. The study has identified problems with database content, presentation and search interfaces which should be considered by system designers

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Abstract

Finding information located somewhere on the WWW is an error-prone and frustrating task. The WebQuey system offers a powerful new method for searching the Web based on connectivity and content. We do this by examining links among the nodes returned in a keyword-based query. We then rank the nodes, giving the highest rank to the most highly connected nodes. By doing so, we are finding 'hot spots' on the Web that contain onformation germane to a user's query. WebQuery not only ranks and filters the results of a Web query, it also extends the result set beyond what the search engine retrieves, by finding 'interesting' sites that are hoghly connected to those sites returned by the original query. Even with WebQuery filtering and ranking query results, the result sets can be enourmous. So, wen need to visualize the returned information. We explore several techniques for visualizing this information - including cone trees, 2D graphs, 3D graphy, lists, and bullseyes - and discuss the criteria for using each of the techniques

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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.

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Abstract

Researchers in the discipline of Higher Education have examined philosophical and psychological literature to develop epistemological development theories and models. They are primarily interested in understanding: "how individuals come to know, the theories and beliefs they hold about knowing, and the manner in which such epistemological premises are a part of and an influence on the cognitive processes of thinking and reasoning" (Hofer & Pintrinch, 1997). I propose to develop a theoretical framework for undergraduates' information seeking behavior based upon the insights into their knowledge construction offered through these models and theories of epistemological development. Epistemology is defined as "the philosophical study of the nature, sources, and limits of knowledge' (Moser, Mulder, & Trout, 1998). I will focus my paper on four major theories and models of undergraduates' epistemological development. I will present a new model of information seeking behavior incorporating these theories and models about how undergraduates construct knowledge and the consequent influence on their information seeking behavior

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Abstract

Collating data from a number of log and questionnaire studies conducted largely into the use of a range of consumer health digital information platforms, Centre for Information Behaviour and the Evaluation of Research (Ciber) researchers describe some new thoughts on characterising (and naming) information seeking behaviour in the digital environment, and in so doing, suggest a new typology of digital users. The characteristic behaviour found is one of bouncing in which users seldom penetrate a site to any depth, tend to visit a number of sites for any given information need and seldom return to sites they once visited. They tend to "feed" for information horizontally, and whether they search a site of not depends heavily on "digital visibility", which in turn creates all the conditions for "bouncing". The question whether this type of information seeking represents a form of "dumbing down or up", and what it all means for publishers, librarians and information providers, who might be working on other, possible outdated usage paradigms, is discussed.

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Abstract

The aim of this article is threefold: (1) to give a summary of empirical results reported earlier on relations between students' problem stages in the course of writing their research proposals for a master's thesis and the information sought, choice of search terms and tactics and relevance assessments of the information found for that task; (2) to show how the findings of the study refine Kuhlthau's model of the information search process in the field of information retrieval (IR); and (3) to construe a tentative theory of a task-based IR process based on the supported hypotheses. The results of the empirical studies show that there is a close connection between the students' problem stages (mental model) in the task performance and the information sought, the search tactics used and the assessment of the relevance and utility of the information found. The corroborated hypotheses expand the ideas in Kuhlthau's model in the domain of IR. A theory of task-based information searching based on the empirical findings of the study is presented.

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Abstract

The conceptual issues of information use are discussed by reviewing the major ideas of sense-making methodology developed by Brenda Dervin. Sense-making methodology approaches the phenomena of information use by drawing on the metaphor of gap-bridging. The nature of this metaphor is explored by utilizing the ideas of metaphor analysis suggested by Lakoff and Johnson. First, the source domain of the metaphor is characterized by utilizing the graphical illustrations of sense-making metaphors. Second, the target domain of the metaphor is analyzed by scrutinizing Dervin's key writings on information seeking and use. The metaphor of gap-bridging does not suggest a substantive conception of information use; the metaphor gives methodological and heuristic guidance to posit contextual questions as to how people interpret information to make sense of it. Specifically, these questions focus on the ways in which cognitive, affective, and other elements useful for the sense-making process are constructed and shaped to bridge the gap. Ultimately, the key question of information use studies is how people design information in context.

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Abstract

Ellis, et alia, now provide part five of their study on mediated searching which is treated separately here because of the presence of additional authors. The data source remains cases collected from 198 individuals, 87 in Texas and 111 in Sheffield in the U.K. but the focus here is on seeker/intermediary interaction utilizing the Saracevic triadic IR model, and the method is the analysis of discourse. While the pre-search interview stressed problem definition, interaction during the search in terms of relevance and magnitude continued to develop the problem statement. The user and intermediary focused on search tactics, review and relevance, while the intermediary interaction with the system was comprised of terminology and answers. The interaction clearly affected the search process. Users and intermediaries considered the process effective and users felt the intermediary increased their overall satisfaction.