Why do some people search for their files much more than others? A preliminary study

Abstract

PurposePrevious research has repeatedly shown that people only search for files in a small minority of cases when they do not remember the file's location. The current study aimed to examine whether there is a group of hyper-searchers who search significantly more than others. Based on previous neurocognitive studies, this study aims to hypothesize that if such a group exists, they will have superior verbal memory and reduced visuospatial memory.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 65 participants completed a questionnaire estimating their search percentages, as well as reporting demographic data. Verbal memory was measured using the Wechsler logical memory test, and visuospatial memory was assessed using an online card memory game.FindingsHyper-searchers were defined as participants with search percentage of over one standard deviation (SD) above the mean. The average search percentage of the seven participants who met this criterion was 51% (SD = 14%), over five times more than the other participants (M = 10%, SD = 9%). Similar results were obtained by re-analyzing data from four previous papers (N = 1,252). The results further confirmed the hypothesis that hyper-searchers have significantly better verbal memory than other participants, possibly making searching easier and more successful for them. Lastly, the search percentage was positively predicted by verbal memory scores and negatively predicted by visuospatial memory scores. Explanations and future research are discussed.Originality/valueThis preliminary study is the first to introduce the concept of hyper-searchers, demonstrate its existence and study its causes.

A novel file system supporting rich file classification

“…HFSs make it possible for individuals to create their classification schemes. Classification is a natural human activity that seeks to manage and understand complexity by recursively grouping classes of entities (e.g., files or plants that share common properties) [24] into subclasses (figure 1). Associated entities inherit more properties as the classification tree descends, and there are fewer members of the subclass [25].…”

“…It results from the number of individually [6] created or downloaded files increasing where users commonly cannot recall where those files are stored [7] and how they are titled, so support for successful searching is essential. It has been addressed by various researchers [8] and in our research in the area of the file systems and metadata (e.g. [9] that HFS is a single classification system where files can exist only in one specific directory within the hierarchy [10].…”

Attributes of Personal Electronic Records

“…66 Despite many experiments with tools designed to make multi-categorisation of files easier, hierarchical structures still dominate local computer systems and people often prefer to navigate to find items rather than to search. 67 Many people use their email software or host as the repository for personal records, either because they leave email and associated records in their inbox, or sort email into folders or tag email rather than saving items to an alternative location. 68 Research in 2018 found that over 80% of respondents received at least some of their personal records electronically.…”

Personal factors and the role of memory in faculty refinding of stored information

“…Human memory is not a constant; it is elastic (Namaziandost and Ziafar, 2020). It can expand, and it can shrink, and its performance differs from one person to another (Bergman et al , 2021). Besides using of any techniques that could assist a person to facilitate effective retrieval of information, one of the good encoding techniques is to relate any new information to what someone already knows.…”