Web search strategies and human individual differences: Cognitive and demographic factors, Internet attitudes, and approaches

Abstract

The research reported here was an exploratory study that sought to discover the effects of human individual differences on Web search strategy. These differences consisted of (a) study approaches, (b) cognitive and demographic features, and (c) perceptions of and preferred approaches to Web-based information seeking. Sixtyeight master's students used AltaVista to search for information on three assigned search topics graded in terms of complexity. Five hundred seven search queries were factor analyzed to identify relationships between the individual difference variables and Boolean and best-match search strategies. A number of consistent patterns of relationship were found. As task complexity increased, a number of strategic shifts were also ob-

Evaluation of a personalized digital library based on cognitive styles: Adaptivity vs. adaptability

“…Cognitive style refers to tendencies shown by individuals consistently to use a particular type of information processing strategy . Previous research has indicated that cognitive styles greatly affect users' information seeking (e.g., Palmquist andKim, 2000 andFord, et al, 2005). In particular, our previous work (Frias-Martinez, et al, in press) indicated that different cognitive style groups have different preferences for the use of DLs.…”

“…On the other hand, Field Dependent group had a preference for changing options and attempting the alternative option features provided by search engines. Furthermore, another study by Ford et al (2005) sought to discover the effects of human individual differences on Web search strategy. Their sample consisted of 250 master students and the Cognitive Style Analysis (CSA) was used to measure their cognitive styles.…”

Methods for Evaluating Interactive Information Retrieval Systems with Users

“…Therefore, it is important to report such characteristics, even if they are not independent variables, and carefully consider how they might impact the study results. Morahan-Martin [198] reviews research related to sex differences and internet usage, while Ford et al [100] and Lorigo et al [185] investigate sex differences related to information search. Ford et al [99] investigate internet perceptions and cognitive complexity as additional ways to measure individual differences.…”

“…Cognitive style is related to how people think about and approach problems. Ford et al [100,99], citing Riding and Cheema [216], state that there are two basic aspects of cognitive style: the wholist-analytic style characterizes users according to whether they tend to process information in wholes or parts and the verbal imagery style characterizes users according to whether they are verbal or spatial learners. Example instruments for assessing cognitive style include the learning style inventory, the remote associates test, the symbolic reasoning test and the Myers Briggs type indicator (Borgman, 1987).…”

The role of human factors in stereotyping behavior and perception of digital library users: a robust clustering approach

“…Recent studies have found that users' cognitive styles significantly influence their information seeking on the web. Ford, Miller and Moss (2005) conducted an experiment with AltaVista search engine. The results showed that users with a Field Dependent tendency had a higher level of using Boolean searching while those with a Field Independency had a higher level of using Best Matching.…”