The effects of domain knowledge on search tactic formulation

Abstract

A search tactic is a set of search moves that are temporally and semantically related. The current study examined the tactics of medical students searching a factual database in microbiology. The students answered problems and searched the database on three occasions over a 9-month period. Their search moves were analyzed in terms of the changes in search terms used from one cycle to the next, using two different analysis methods.Common patterns were found in the students' search tactics; the most common approach was the specification of a concept, followed by the addition of one or more concepts, gradually narrowing the retrieved set before it was displayed. It was also found that the search tactics changed over time as the students' domain knowledge changed. These results have important implications for designers in developing systems that will support users' preferred ways of formulating searches. In addition, the research methods used (the coding scheme and the two data analysis methods-zero-order state transition matrices and maximal repeating patterns [MRP] analysis) are discussed in terms of their validity in future studies of search tactics. IntroductionWhen conducting an online search, a searcher enters one or more terms, gets a response from the system, and iteratively modifies the terms until satisfied with the results. Each iteration in the search formulation and reformulation process can be considered a search move. One way to examine these moves is to focus on the search terms selected in each iteration, as suggested by Shute and Smith (1993). For example, one move might consist of the substitution of a narrower term representing the same concept as that searched in the prior move (e.g., the first move might be a search on the term "reference works" and the second move might be a search on the term "encyclopedias").A set of moves that are temporally and semantically related can be a search tactic. While significant work has examined the individual moves that searchers make (Bates, 1979(Bates, , 1987Fidel, 1985), it is equally important to examine the sequences of moves made by searchers in order to understand the cognitive processes they use in formulating and reformulating their searches. The current paper attacks this problem by examining the tactics of medical students searching a factual database in microbiology, focusing on changes in students' tactics as their domain knowledge (i.e., their knowledge in the domain of microbiology) changed over time. In addition, it makes a methodological contribution by comparing two different methods for analyzing sequences of search moves.

Strategy hubs: Domain portals to help find comprehensive information

“…While several studies on domain knowledge (see Wildemuth, 2004 for a review) have consistently shown that domain experts use different and more search terms (e.g. Marchionini, 1989, Shute & Smith, 1993, Vakkari, 2002, our study suggests that domain experts also have acquired search procedures that enable them to find comprehensive information about a topic.…”

Inferring user knowledge level from eye movement patterns

“…Domain knowledge or expertise has been shown to affect search behaviors. Users with low domain knowledge are found to have more nonproductive queries (Allen, 1991), use less efficient concepts and make more query reformulation errors (Wildemuth, 2004), and resort to less effective search strategies (Hembrooke, Granka, Gay, & Liddy, 2005). Users with intermediate levels of knowledge about their task fail to select available documents of which they have the most knowledge as compared to users with high or low levels of domain knowledge (Cole, Zhang, Belkin, Liu & Gwizdka, 2011c).…”

“…Information search in task sessions involves non-linear and conditionalized relationships (Wildemuth, 2004, Qiu, 1993. It is reasonable to suppose such relationships may affect the cognitive effort during the task session.…”

Exploring the information seeking behavior of Greek graduate students: A case study set in the University of Macedonia

“…However, a number of studies also found little or no correlation between discipline and information seeking behavior (Ellis, Cox, & Hall, 1993;Heinström, 2003;Korobili, Malliari, & Zapounidou, 2011;Sharifabadi, 1996). Some other factors that have been demonstrated to influence information seeking are domain knowledge (Hölscher & Strube, 2000;Jenkins, Corritore, & Wiedenbeck, 2003;Hembrooke, Granka, Gay, & Liddy, 2005;Marchionini, 1997;Wildemuth, 2004;Zhang, Anghelescu, & Yuan, 2005;White, Dumais, & Teevan, 2009), computer and web experience (Aula, 2005;Aula, Jhaveri, & Kaki, 2005;Eshet-Alkalai & Chajut, 2009;Hölscher & Strube, 2000;Hargittai, 2002;Jenkins, Corritore, & Wiedenbeck, 2003;Korobili et al, 2011;Thatcher, 2008;Williamson, Bernath, Wright, & Sullivan, 2008), search experience (Chen, 2009;Hsieh-Yee, 1993;Marchionini, 1997;Tsai, 2009;Williamson et al, 2008) and frequency of use of esources (Griffiths & Brophy, 2005;Haglund & Olsson, 2008;George et al, 2006;Korobili et al, 2006). Some studies have revealed the importance of other people (tutors, instructors, colleagues, librarians, friends, etc.…”