Information in the Digital Environment Information Seeking Models Dr. Dania Bilal IS 530 Spring 2006

Information Options  Print  Databases CD-ROM Web-based Command-driven (e.g., Dialog)  Web-based interface  Text-based interface

Print Option  Periodical indexes Most are inexpensive  Subscription Owned by library Easily accessible One user per one volume/section used Citations to magazine & journal articles Update

CD-ROM Databases  Subscription  Need for software & hardware  Cost varies  Ease of use varies  Updates

CD-ROM Databases  High storage (650 mg to over a gigabyte) 650 mg equivalent to 250,000 pages of text or 1 million catalog records  Can be loaded on stand-alone or networked computers. Site license is needed

Command-Driven Databases  Search skills  User information need Search topic negotiation  Up-to-date  Access to >100s of databases  Cost varies with database  Web- and text-based interfaces

Information Retrieval System (IR)  A set of components that interact to provide feedback  Comprised of interlinked entities Agency that creates the databases People Documents

Interlinked Entities Agency Documents People

The IR Cycle  Documents are analyzed, translated, indexed, and stored.  Documents are organized Cataloging (description/representation of docs.) Subject indexing

The IR Cycle  Subject indexing a) Determination of subject content (conceptual analysis) b) Translation of content into language of the system (controlled vocabulary) c) Abstracting

The IR Cycle  Language of the system (controlled vocabulary) List of subject headings (Pre-coordinate) Thesauri (Pre-coordinate) Classification scheme

The IR Cycle  Documents are represented by other entities Author(s) Date of publication Language Identifiers

The IR Cycle  Entities may become access points  Documents are stored after indexing  Document representation is entered into the matching mechanism

The IR Cycle  A file of document surrogates is established  File becomes available for searching using a variety of access points

The IR Cycle  User Query Analyzed for conceptual content Translated into the language of the system (matched against controlled vocabulary and keywords) Matched against document surrogates in the database

Explanation of the IR Cycle  Output A set of records found and deemed relevant to a user query  User judgment of retrieval

The IR Cycle

User Judgment  Relevance to information need  Relevance ranking by IR system  Relevance vs. pertinence

Document-Based IRs  Input, output, and matching mechanisms  Selection of documents (done by indexers)  Analysis of documents (done by indexers)

Document-Based IRs  Document representation (done by indexers)  Analysis of user query (done by system)  Matching user query with relevant documents (done by system)  Delivery of documents (output)

Information Seeking

 Process of finding information to fill a knowledge gap  User requests Known item searches Unknown item searches  Subject searches

Information Seeking Models  Ellis’ Behavioral Model  Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process Model  Nahl’s ACS Model  Marchionini’s Information Process Model  Wilson’s Problem-Solving Model  Belkin’s Information Seeking Strategies (ISS)  Belkin’s Anomalous State of Knowledge (ASK)  Dervin’s sense-making theory

Ellis’ Behavioral Model  Describes 8 information seeking patterns of social scientists, physical scientists, and engineers in using hypertext (e.g., the Web) Starting (Surveying), Chaining, Monitoring, Browsing, Differentiating (Distinguishing), Filtering, Extracting, Verifying, Ending.

Kuhlthau’s ISP Model  Information search process from the user’s perspective in traditional environment  Affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor  Six stages: Initiation, Selection, Exploration, Formulation, Collection, Presentation

Nahl’s ACS Model  Taxonomic approach for identifying the levels of information seeking behaviors  Searcher’s feeling (A), thinking (C), and doing (S) is termed “information behavior”  Levels are sequential and continuous

Marchionini’s Model  Problem solving approach to understanding information seeking process in the electronic environment  Eight processes: Problem recognition, Problem definition, Selection of system/source, Problem articulation (query formulation), Search execution, Examination of results, Extraction of desired information; Reflection, Iteration, and Stopping of search process

Wilson’s Problem-Solving Model  Goal-directed behavior of problem solving From uncertainty to certainty through the problem-resolution process: Problem identification, Problem definition, Problem resolution, Solution statement (has affective dimensions)  Stages are sequential and non-linear

Belkin’s ISS Model  Task-oriented with 4 sets of tasks: Browsing: scanning or searching a resource Learning: expanding knowledge of goal, problem, & system used Recognition: identifying relevant items Meta information: interaction with items that map the boundaries of the task  Dynamic process

Belkin’s ASK Theory  ASK (Anomalous State of Knowledge) “The cognitive and situational aspects that were the reason for seeking information and approaching an IR system” (Saracevic, 1996).  Knowledge gap (anomaly) and the need to solve it  Implications for system design

Dervin and Sense-making  A need to make sense of the world or a current situation  A state that arises within a person, suggesting some kind of gap that requires filling.  Gap is filled by information

Dervin’s Sense-making  A search starts with questions directed at making sense of a current situation.  Communication is central to “bridge a knowledge gap.”  Strategies used are shaped by the user’s conceptualization of both the gap and the bridge, and by answers, ideas, and resources obtained.

Dervin’s Sense-making  Affective states (emotions, feelings, attitudes, etc.) are as vital as cognition.  Anxiety and uncertainty are reduced as the gap becomes smaller.

Dervin’s Sense-Making Metaphor Questions answered Ideas formed Resources obtained Situation Gap Bridged Uses (Helps) Strategies used Gap Faced Barrier Faced