Cognitive shifts related to interactive information retrieval

Abstract

Purpose -Interactive information retrieval (IR) involves many human cognitive shifts at different information behaviour levels. Cognitive science defines a cognitive shift or shift in cognitive focus as triggered by the brain's response and change due to some external force. This paper aims to provide an explication of the concept of "cognitive shift" and then report results from a study replicating Spink's study of cognitive shifts during interactive IR. This work aims to generate promising insights into aspects of cognitive shifts during interactive IR and a new IR evaluation measure -information problem shift. Design/methodology/approach -The study participants (n ¼ 9) conducted an online search on an in-depth personal medical information problem. Data analysed included the pre-and post-search questionnaires completed by each study participant. Implications for web services and further research are discussed. Findings -Key findings replicated the results in Spink's study, including: all study participants reported some level of cognitive shift in their information problem, information seeking and personal knowledge due to their search interaction; and different study participants reported different levels of cognitive shift. Some study participants reported major cognitive shifts in various user-based variables such as information problem or information-seeking stage. Unlike Spink's study, no participant experienced a negative shift in their information problem stage or level of information problem understanding. Originality/value -This study builds on the previous study by Spink using a different dataset. The paper provides valuable insights for further research into cognitive shifts during interactive IR.

Modeling Web search: Preliminary results

“…Spink and Cole (2005) proposed a model of multitasking and task switching during interactive information retrieval. Spink (2002) and Spink and Dee (2007) show different cognitive shifts occurring during Web search. Spink and Du (2007), and Spink, Park and Cole (2006) explored the relationship between multitasking and cognitive coordination during Web search and suggest that cognitive coordination processes are important for constructing Web search.…”

Categorical relevance judgment

“…According to the information retrieval model of Bates (1989) during the iterative process of search the user relevance judgments of the results are influenced by the results of previous search. Later, Spink and Dee (2007) defined a web search model as comprising multiple tasks and cognitive shifts between tasks (e.g. shifts between topic, result evaluation, document, information problem, search strategy).…”

Web searching model: Integrating multitasking, cognitive coordination and cognitive shifts

“…In addition, cognitive shift is the ability of humans to use higher mental process of cognitive processes. Different levels of cognitive shifts that take place during Web searching have been identified and modeled (Spink & Dee, 2007). Also, cognitive coordination has been defined as the management of dependencies, or conflicts, between goals, tasks, and resources of various agents (Spink & Du, 2007).…”

“…As Web searching becomes more prolific for peoples' information access worldwide, we need to develop better models of users' interaction with Web search engines. Web searching is an important element of information behavior and human computer interaction which includes multitasking processes and the allocation of cognitive resources among several tasks, and shifts in cognitive, problem and knowledge states (Spink & Dee, 2007; Spink & Du, 2007). In addition to multitasking, cognitive shifting and cognitive coordination are also important but under‐explored aspects of Web search and information behavior.…”