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  • × author_ss:"Ford, N."
  1. Ford, N.; Ford, R.: Towards a cognitive theory of information accessing : an empirical study (1993) 0.01
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    Abstract
    Reports on a project which aimed to simulate querying of an ideal system which could respond to any kind of questioning phrased in any way. 30 users accessed a system the knowledge base of which (unknown to them) included 2 human experts. The interactions between users and the system were logged and analyzed. The results reveal different information accessing strategies linked to individual user characteristics and retrieval effectiveness. Discusses implication for the design of improved information retrieval systems
  2. Ford, N.; Wood, F.: User modelling for the electronic library : a cognitive approach (1995) 0.01
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    Abstract
    Reports on 4 experiments conducted at Sheffield University, Department of Information Studies, UK, into cognitive models which illuminate how people learn using electronic media. The experiments dealt with: learning strategies in an unconstrained electronic environment, in a hypertext environment, and in database searching, and matching and mismatching learning styles. Discusses the positive or negative implications for the design of electronic learning materials suggested by these experiments
  3. Ford, N.: Developing an automated extensible reference service (1997) 0.01
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    Abstract
    Reports results of a project to develop guidelines, based on the development of a prototype system in the field of medicine, for producing computerized reference services capable of increasing the range and quality of responses to information needs. For instance, an automatic system that can be available 24 hours a day simultaneously to multiple enquirers over an intranet or the Internet. Genuine information requests from a variety of medical information settings were collected and analyzed to form a typology of needs, focusing particularly on qualitative aspects. The typology was mapped on to computerized techniques to form a system specification and developed into a prototype WWW system
  4. Ford, N.: ¬The growth of understanding in information science : towards a developmental model (1999) 0.01
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    Date
    17. 1.2000 13:16:22
  5. Ford, N.: Introduction to information behaviour (2015) 0.01
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    Date
    22. 1.2017 16:45:48
  6. Woods, F.; Walsh, C.; Ford, N.: Effects of postings information on user searching behaviour (1994) 0.01
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    Abstract
    Reports results of an investigation, undertaken at Sheffield University, Departmant of Information Studies, UK into the effects of postings information (the display on the screen of the number of references in the retrieved sets) on searching behaviour. Linked online searches were conducted, on the LISA database on CD-ROM, with and without postings information. Performance in terms of the number of relevant references, precision and recall was not significantly different whether postings information was available or not; but searches with postings information took more time and more sets were viewed than in searches without postings. Searchers thought that the lack of postings information had affected 90% of their searches. Proposes that training should place greater emphasis on the value of postings information at different stages of the search and should optimize the searching behaviour of those with different searching styles
  7. Ford, N.; Miller, D.; Moss, N.: ¬The role of individual differences in Internet searching : an empirical study (2001) 0.01
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    Abstract
    This article reports the results of a study of the role of individual differences in Internet searching. The dimensions of individual differences forming the focus of the research consisted of: cognitive styles; levels of prior experience; Internet perceptions; study approaches; age; and gender. Sixty-nine Masters students searched for information on a prescribed topic using the AItaVista search engine. Results were assessed using simple binary relevance judgements. Factor analysis and multiple regression revealed interesting differences, retrieval effectiveness being linked to: male gender; low cognitive complexity; an imager (as opposed to verbalizer) cognitive style; and a number of Internet perceptions and study approaches grouped here as indicating low self-efficacy. The implications of these findings for system development and for future research are discussed.
  8. Ford, N.; Miller, D.; Moss, N.: Web search strategies and retrieval effectiveness : an empirical study (2002) 0.01
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    Abstract
    This paper reports the results of a study funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Board which sought to investigate links between Web search strategies and retrieval effectiveness. A total of 68 students, enrolled on masters programmes in librarianship, information management and information systems, searched for two topics using the AltaVista search engine. Logs of the resultant 341 queries, along with relevance judgements for over 4,000 retrieved items, were analysed using factor analysis and regression. The differing but complementary types and strengths of evidence produced by these two forms of analysis are discussed and presented. Retrieval effectiveness was associated positively with best-match searching and negatively with Boolean searching. The implications of these findings for Web searching are discussed.
  9. Ford, N.; Wilson, T.D.; Foster, A.; Ellis, D.; Spink, A.: Information seeking and mediated searching : Part 4: cognitive styles in information seeking (2002) 0.01
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    Abstract
    In "Part 4. Cognitive Styles in Information Seeking,'' where Ford is the primary author, the results of the application of the Riding's Cognitive Styles Analysis and the Pask's holist/serialist portion of the Ford's Study Process Questionnaire to the 111 U.K. participants. were correlated using Spearman's coefficient with reports of focused thinking, degree of change in the intermediary's perception of the problem and personal knowledge, problem stage, degree of differentiating activity, change in problem perception, engagement in exploring activity, changes in questioning, valuing of serendipitous information, and other variables. The results would indicate that field independent individuals report clearer more focused thinking, see themselves in an earlier problem stage, and report higher levels of change in perception of the problem. Holists value serendipity and report engagement in Kuhlthau's exploring stage. They are seen by intermediaries as exhibiting fewer changes in questioning behavior. A fifth section will appear in a later issue.
  10. Whittle, M.; Eaglestone, B.; Ford, N.; Gillet, V.J.; Madden, A.: Data mining of search engine logs (2007) 0.01
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    Abstract
    This article reports on the development of a novel method for the analysis of Web logs. The method uses techniques that look for similarities between queries and identify sequences of query transformation. It allows sequences of query transformations to be represented as graphical networks, thereby giving a richer view of search behavior than is possible with the usual sequential descriptions. We also perform a basic analysis to study the correlations between observed transformation codes, with results that appear to show evidence of behavior habits. The method was developed using transaction logs from the Excite search engine to provide a tool for an ongoing research project that is endeavoring to develop a greater understanding of Web-based searching by the general public.
  11. Ford, N.; Wood, F.; Walsh, C.: Cognitive styles and searching (1994) 0.01
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    Abstract
    The primary aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the absence of postings information on online searches and searching behaviour and these results were reported in Journal of information science 20(1994) no.1. The secondary aim, reported here, was to assess the cognitive styles of the participants to ensure that the population was sufficiently vareid in this respect and to investigate possible correlations between cognitive ability and searching behaviour. Throughout the project, searches were made by postgraduates at the department of information studies, University of Sheffield using the LISA database on CD-ROM. A total of 67 searchers carried out 275 searches, both with and without postings information. Reports significant differences in both searching behaviour and search outcomes obtained by those with different learning styles, with and without postings information. Significant correlations were found between cognitice styles and online searching. Searchers characterized by different learning styles tend to adopt different search strategies and strategies associated with comprehension and operation learning styles result in qualitatively different searching performance. Searching approaches associated with a versatile style are the most effective. Making feedback in the form of postings available enables comprehension and operation learners, and field independent searchers, to change their apporach in qualitatively different ways. Other findings are reported and discussed
  12. Mansourian, Y.; Ford, N.: Web searchers' attributions of success and failure: an empirical study (2007) 0.01
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    Abstract
    Purpose - This paper reports the findings of a study designed to explore web searchers' perceptions of the causes of their search failure and success. In particular, it seeks to discover the extent to which the constructs locus of control and attribution theory might provide useful frameworks for understanding searchers' perceptions. Design/methodology/approach - A combination of inductive and deductive approaches were employed. Perceptions of failed and successful searches were derived from the inductive analysis of using open-ended qualitative interviews with a sample of 37 biologists at the University of Sheffield. These perceptions were classified into "internal" and "external" attributions, and the relationships between these categories and "successful" and "failed" searches were analysed deductively to test the extent to which they might be explainable using locus of control and attribution theory interpretive frameworks. Findings - All searchers were readily able to recall "successful" and "unsuccessful" searches. In a large majority of cases (82.4 per cent), they clearly attributed each search to either internal (e.g. ability or effort) or external (e.g. luck or information not being available) factors. The pattern of such relationships was analysed, and mapped onto those that would be predicted by locus of control and attribution theory. The authors conclude that the potential of these theoretical frameworks to illuminate one's understanding of web searching, and associated training, merits further systematic study. Research limitations/implications - The findings are based on a relatively small sample of academic and research staff in a particular subject area. Importantly, also, the study can at best provide a prima facie case for further systematic study since, although the patterns of attribution behaviour accord with those predictable by locus of control and attribution theory, data relating to the predictive elements of these theories (e.g. levels of confidence and achievement) were not available. This issue is discussed, and recommendations made for further work. Originality/value - The findings provide some empirical support for the notion that locus of control and attribution theory might - subject to the limitations noted above - be potentially useful theoretical frameworks for helping us better understand web-based information seeking. If so, they could have implications particularly for better understanding of searchers' motivations, and for the design and development of more effective search training programmes.
  13. Wood, F.; Ford, N.; Miller, D.; Sobczyk, G.; Duffin, R.: Information skills, searching behaviour and cognitive styles for student-centred learning : a computer-assisted learning approach (1996) 0.01
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    Source
    Journal of information science. 22(1996) no.2, S.79-92