What is used during cognitive processing in information retrieval and library searching? Eleven sources of search information

Abstract

A taxonomy of 11 sources of information used during library and database searching is presented, based on observation of 49 searches in a variety of libraries and search situations. Three broad categories of sources are identified: those internal to the searcher; those created by the searcher; and those external to the searcher. Internal sources are reason for the search, necessary beliefs, object of the search, object knowledge, domain knowledge, and search knowledge.Two sources created by the searcher are expressed object and searcher terms. External sources of information that are encountered in the search environment are guidance devices, system terms, and the collection. Found object, a subset of the collection, is also what is taken away from the library or IR system.

The Effects on Topic Familiarity on Online Search Behaviour and Use of Relevance Criteria

“…Wikipedia. This is in line with work by Michel [5] who found that topically experienced searchers are better at assessing the relevancy of retrieved objects.…”

“…4,5,6] also shows that topic familiarity can affect a searcher's search strategy and the type of information they believe they will require. In this paper we present the results of a pilot study to investigate the degree to which a searcher's familiarity with a topic affects their use of resources and their ability to predict which relevance criteria will be important to them in a search.…”

A conceptual framework for understanding information seeking in open-ended information systems

“…Previous research on the retrieval process has demonstrated that the use of information-seeking strategies can make the process more effective and efficient (Borgman, Hirsh, Walter, & Gallagher, 1995;Eisenberg & Berkowitz, 1990;Kuhlthau, 1991Kuhlthau, ,1996Marchionini, 1995;Michel, 1994;Savolainen, 1993;Stripling & Pitts, 1988;Wells, 1996). Yet, the promises the systems hold make efforts to overcome obstacles worthwhile.…”

User goals on an online public access catalog

“…She summarized the factors of selection of citations as relevant into three major contextual categories: Internal (e.g., criteria relating to a user's previous experience and perceptions), external (e.g., criteria relating to the search), and criteria relating to the problem. Michel ( 1994) has identified types of information used during searching (both in the library and within information retrieval systems). These can be interpreted from the perspective of goals as well.…”