Usability and perception of young users and adults on targeted web search engines

Abstract

The usability of web search engines is an important factor that influences user experience and correlates with users' success in finding the relevant information. Currently, there are different search engines online available whose main target audience are children. In this paper, we investigate the differences between children and adults in terms of usability and perception of targeted search engines, i.e. search engines designed specifically for that audience. To this end, an eye-tracking study was conducted to compare children's and adults' search behavior and perception of search interface elements on search engine results pages (SERPs) during an informational and a navigational search with a standard search engine and a search engine for children. We identified differences in the information-seeking behavior and perception of search engines SERPs between children and adults. Based on these findings we propose criteria on how to design search user interfaces that are more appropriate for children.

Growing up with Google: How children's understanding and use of internet‐based devices relates to cognitive development

“…A substantial body of research has documented the obstacles children face when formulating search queries and identifying appropriate results (e.g., Foss et al, 2012; Gossen, Höbel, & Nürnberger, ; Duarte Torres, Weber, & Hiemstra, ; Madrazo Azbiazu, Dragovic, Anuyah, & Pera, ). For instance, an analysis of Yahoo!…”

Youth Research under the Microscope: A Conceptual Analysis of Youth Information Interaction Studies

“…Duarte Torres et al (2014) investigated search query logs based on the assumption that search query length and topic searched predict searcher's ages. Gossen et al (2014) measured the frequency of search moves in multiple web search systems to compare variations in information behaviour across age ranges. Gossen et al's assumption was that features in web search systems affect searcher's responses.…”

“…Therefore, older children will present more sophisticated skills than younger children. The role of cognitive developmental levels is fundamental to understand youth's information behaviour based on age (Eickhoff et al, 2012; Gossen et al, 2014), school grade level (Vanderschantz & Hinze, 2017) and reading literacy skills (Coiro & Dobler, 2007; Lazonder et al, 2020). These studies often compare youth's information behaviour (e.g., quality of search queries and criteria to judge information) with those expected from adults.…”

“…This concept focuses on comparison across multiple information systems, especially adult‐ and youth‐oriented. The argument is that youth will likely perform better on information systems specifically designed for them and that support their cognitive developmental levels (Dinet et al, 2010; Gossen et al, 2014; Jochmann‐Mannak et al, 2016). These studies help to identify features that pose barriers or support YII.…”

Eye tracking scanpath analysis techniques on web pages: A survey, evaluation and comparison

“…These studies reveal which visual elements are fixated and which paths are followed (Holsanova, Rahm, & Holmqvist, 2006;Yesilada, Jay, Stevens, & Harper, 2008;Albanesi, Gatti, Porta, & Ravarelli, 2011;Hejmady & Narayanan, 2012;Eraslan, Yesilada, & Harper, 2014). For example, Gossen, Höbel, and Nürnberger (2014) conducted an eye tracking study and investigated how children interact with search engines. Their findings illustrate that children typically experience difficulties in estimating the relevancy of a search result.…”