Illusions of a ‘Bond’: Tagging Cultural Products across Online Platforms

Structured Abstract Purpose Most studies pertaining to social tagging focus on one platform or platform type, thus limiting the scope of their findings. This study explores social tagging practices across four platforms in relation to cultural products associated with the book Casino Royale, by Ian Fleming. Design/methodology/approach A layered and nested case study approach was used to analyze data from four online platforms: Goodreads, Last.fm, WordPress, and public library social discovery platforms. The top-level case study focuses on the book Casino Royale, by Ian Fleming, and its derivative products. The analysis of tagging practices in each of the four online platforms is nested within the top-level case study. ‘Casino Royale’ was conceptualized as a cultural product (the book), its derived products (e.g., movies, theme songs), as well as a keyword in blogs. A qualitative, inductive, and context-specific approach was chosen to identify commonalities in tagging practices across platforms whilst taking into account the uniqueness of each platform. Findings The four platforms comprise different communities of users, each platform with its own cultural norms and tagging practices. Traditional access points in the library catalogues focused on the subject, location, and fictitious characters of the book. User-generated content across the four platforms emphasized historical events and periods related to the book, and highlighted more subjective access points, such as recommendations, tone, mood, reaction, and reading experience. Revealing shifts occur in the tags between the original book and its cultural derivatives: Goodreads and library catalogues focus almost exclusively on the book, while Last.fm and WordPress make additional cross-references to a wider range of different cultural products, including books, movies, and music. The analyses also yield apparent similarities in certain platforms, such as recurring terms, phrasing and composite or multifaceted tags, as well as a strong presence of genre-related terms for the book and music. Originality/value The layered and nested case study approach presents a more comprehensive theoretical viewpoint and methodological framework by which to explore the study of user-generated metadata pertaining to a range of related cultural products across a variety of online platforms

The development of a model of information seeking behaviour of students in higher education when using internet search engines.

This thesis develops a model of Web information seeking behaviour of postgraduate students with a specific focus on Web search engines' use. It extends Marchionini's eight stage model of information seeking, geared towards electronic environments, to holistically encompass the physical, cognitive, affective and social dimensions of Web users' behaviour. The study recognises the uniqueness of the Web environment as a vehicle for information dissemination and retrieval, drawing on the distinction between information searching and information seeking and emphasises the importance of following user-centred holistic approaches to study information seeking behaviour. It reviews the research in the field and demonstrates that there is no comprehensive model that explains the behaviour of Web users when employing search engines for information retrieval. The methods followed to develop the study are explained with a detailed analysis of the four dimensions of information seeking (physical, cognitive affective, social). Emphasis is placed on the significance of combined methods (qualitative and quantitative) and the ways in which they can enrich the examination of human behaviour. This is concluded with a discussion of methodological issues. The study is supported by an empirical investigation, which examines the relationship between interactive information retrieval using Web search engines and human information seeking processes. This investigates the influence of cognitive elements (such as learning and problem style, and creative ability) and affective characteristics (e. g. confidence, loyalty, familiarity, ease of use), as well as the role that system experience, domain knowledge and demographics play in information seeking behaviour and in user overall satisfaction with the retrieval result. The influence of these factors is analysed by identifying users' patterns of behaviour and tactics, adopted to solve specific problems. The findings of the empirical study are incorporated into an enriched information-seeking model, encompassing use of search engines, which reveals a complex interplay between physical, cognitive, affective and social elements and that none of these characteristics can be seen in isolation when attempting to explain the complex phenomenon of information seeking behaviour. Although the model is presented in a linear fashion the dynamic, reiterative and circular character of the information seeking process is explained through an emphasis on transition patterns between the different stages. The research concludes with a discussion of problems encountered by Web information seekers which provides detailed analysis of the reasons why users express satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the results of Web searching, areas in which Web search engines can be improved and issues related to the need for students to be given additional training and support are identified. These include planning and organising information, recognising different dimensions of information intents and needs, emphasising the importance of variety in Web information seeking, promoting effective formulation of queries and ranking, reducing overload of information and assisting effective selection of Web sites and critical examination of results

The impact of concept map visualizations on the information behavior, perceptions of performance, learning and use with novices in the information retrieval context

In examining undergraduate students in the information retrieval environment for the impact of computer generated concept maps, two primary research questions were considered: 1) what is the impact of display type on the novice searcher’s information behavior; and 2) what is the impact of different display types on the user’s perceptions of performance, knowledge and overall use of the system.Sixty participants in this experiment were given hypothetical information needs on two different medical topics (cholesterol, depression). Participants’ explored one of three interactive visualization displays using these medical topics, answered a pre- and post-test instrument and then completed a final questionnaire on their perceptions of the displays. Different types of inferential statistical tests were used to examine the research questions. When appropriate, factorial ANOVAs, mixed between-within ANOVAs, and chi square tests of independence were conducted.Five main findings resulted from this research: 1) for all display types (LIST, SOM, PFNET) there is an increase in the number of participant search terms and in the incorporation of MeSH terminology from the visualizations following exposure to those displays; 2) there is a relationship between the display type and the interface level from which PFNET participants chose terms; 3) searchers’ feelings of confidence, satisfaction, success, and relevance increased across all groups after system interaction; however, pretest feelings of confidence and satisfaction seem to be dependent upon the participant’s self-reported prior knowledge of the search topic; 4) feelings of confidence and satisfaction on the topic participants reported less pre-test knowledge on (cholesterol) shifted to match post-test ratings of confidence and satisfaction on the topic they had more pre-test knowledge on (depression); and 5) participants rated the PFNET system more visually appealing, easier to understand and more likely to be used in the future if given the option. Overall findings suggest that all displays were useful to the participants in this experiment and that the PFNET display was particularly useful for the novice searcher.Ph.D., Information Science -- Drexel University, 200

A review of Web information seeking research: considerations of method and foci of interest.

Introduction. This review shows that Web information seeking research suffers from inconsistencies in method and a lack of homogeneity in research foci. Background. Qualitative and quantitative methods are needed to produce a comprehensive view of information seeking. Studies also recommend observation as one of the most fundamental ways of gaining direct knowledge of behaviour. User-centred research emphasises the importance of holistic approaches, which incorporate physical, cognitive, and affective elements. Problems. Comprehensive studies are limited; many approaches are problematic and a consistent methodological framework has not been developed. Research has often failed to ensure appropriate samples that ensure both quantitative validity and qualitative consistency. Typically, observation has been based on simulated rather than real information needs and most studies show little attempt to examine holistically different characteristics of users in the same research schema. Research also deals with various aspects of cognitive style and ability with variant definitions of expertise and different layers of user experience. Finally the effect of social and cultural elements has not been extensively investigated. Conclusion. The existing limitations in method and the plethora of different approaches allow little progress and fewer comparisons across studies. There is urgent need for establishing a theoretical framework on which future studies can be based so that information seeking behaviour can be more holistically understood, and results can be generalised

Next generation catalogues: an analysis of user search strategies and behavior

The movement from online catalogues to search and discovery systems has not addressed the goals of true resource discoverability. While catalogue user studies have focused on user search and discovery processes and experiences, and construction and manipulation of search queries, little insight is given to how searchers interact with search features of next generation catalogues. Better understanding of user experiences can help guide informed decisions when selecting and implementing new systems. In this study, fourteen graduate students completed a set of information seeking tasks using UIUC's VuFind installation. Observations of these interactions elicited insight into both search feature use and user understanding of the function of features. Participants used the basic search option for most searches. This is because users understand that basic search draws from a deep index that always gives results regardless of search terms; and because it is convenient, appearing at every level of the search, thus reducing effort and shortening search time. Participants rarely used advanced search but selected it as a secondary alternative, especially when searching for local library or print collections. Participants understand an online catalogue as a list of library holdings that provides access to local print collections; and offers options for refining voluminous result sets. Participants frequently used author, title, subject, keywords; and citation, search within, print, save, e-mailing, fulltext download that offered clear alternatives to searching and search reformulation respectively. Such features are familiar to users from past search experiences and puts them in control of the system. Participants understand the function of VuFind features based on their perception and preference that: VuFind will give relevant and current information because of the large collection size at UIUC; because of their prior experiences with quick, minimal effort search reformulation strategies; and VuFind‘s large result sets, presented in systematic and logical order. The evidence confirms that information tasks guide and shape the way searchers select and use system features. Participant search processes change during and after using a specific system. Alternatives to improve the design of more robust search features are proposed

Learning object metadata surrogates in search result interfaces: user evaluation, design and content

The purpose of this research was to evaluate user interaction with learning object metadata surrogates both in terms of content and presentation. The main objectives of this study were: (1) to review the literature on learning object metadata and user-centred evaluation of metadata surrogates in the context of cognitive information retrieval (including user-centred relevance and usability research); (2) to develop a framework for the evaluation of user interaction with learning object metadata surrogates in search result interfaces; (3) to investigate the usability of metadata surrogates in search result interfaces of learning object repositories (LORs) in terms of various presentation aspects (such as amount of information, structure and highlighting of query terms) as a means for facilitating the user relevance judgment process; (4) to investigate in-depth the type of content that should be included in learning object metadata surrogates in order to facilitate the process of relevance judgment; (5) to provide a set of recommendations—guidelines for the design of learning object metadata surrogates in search result interfaces both in terms of content and presentation. [Continues.

Impact of the web on citation and information-seeking behaviour of academics

D.Litt. et Phil.This study investigated the impact of the Web on the information-seeking and citation behaviour of Unisa academics. The research study was executed in two phases. Phase 1 consisted of a Web citation analysis and phase 2 a questionnaire. Phase 1 explored how the availability of Web information resources affected the scholarly citation behaviour of Unisa academics by determining the relationship between Web-based references and non-Web-based references in the reference lists of Unisa academics. In phase 1 it was established how frequently Web-based information resources were cited (reference lists) compared to traditional print sources. Furthermore, the variation in Web citation patterns between academics from different subject disciplines was identified. The main source of data was 20 825 citations contained in reference lists, endnotes and footnotes of 458 accredited research journal articles submitted in 2004 by Unisa to the Department of Education for subsidy purposes. The data were gathered by calculating the total number of references that appeared in the reference lists. Thereafter a citation count was done of the total number of Web references cited in the article by checking each article for references containing Web-based information resources such as URLs of webpages or websites. Collectively the reference lists consisted of 3.5% references to Web-based information resources and 96.5% to non-Web-based information resources. The findings of the 2005 citation study indicate that academics tended to rely on static, academic library, print-based resources when citing the literature, not Web-based information resources. Furthermore, academics from the five Unisa Colleges displayed different Web citation patterns. Phase 2 of the study, a questionnaire survey, provides insight into the relative significance of the open Web as an information resource and Web search engines as research tools among academics. The aim of the questionnaire was to record the preferences, usage and perceptions of the freely available open Web information resources, as compared to the academic library information resources (print and electronic). In addition, the factors that influence the choice of the academic when iv selecting the open Web or the academic library as an information resource were investigated. The entire Unisa academic staff establishment was invited via e-mail and the Unisa intranet to participate in the survey. The survey instrument consisted of 32 questions via the Web and/or print-based format. The findings reported are based on a survey of 187 Unisa academics with a response rate of 15.74%

Usability of a Keyphrase Browsing Tool Based on a Semantic Cloud Model

The goal of this research was to facilitate the scrutiny and utilization of Web search engine retrieval results. I used a graphical keyphrase browsing interface to visualize the conceptual information space of the results, presenting document characteristics that make document relevance determinations easier

Authoring and information seeking on the world-wide web : an experimental study.

Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1997.The research reported in this thesis is focused on some of the implications for Library and Information Science of the development of the Internet, and the World-Wide Web (WWW) in particular. It highlights the need for a wider involvement of this profession in the better management, organisation, and ultimately - usability, of the global information system. An extensive study of the information seeking process was carried out on a collection of interlinked hypertext documents constituting a PC-based model of the World-Wide Web. Special attention was paid to the correlation of WWW document authoring characteristics and the success rate in browsing sessions performed by novice, casual and experienced Internet end-users. The analysis of the results from a number of browsing sessions on the model led to some specific recommendations for comprehension-oriented WWW authoring

Implicit feedback for interactive information retrieval

Searchers can find the construction of query statements for submission to Information Retrieval (IR) systems a problematic activity. These problems are confounded by uncertainty about the information they are searching for, or an unfamiliarity with the retrieval system being used or collection being searched. On the World Wide Web these problems are potentially more acute as searchers receive little or no training in how to search effectively. Relevance feedback (RF) techniques allow searchers to directly communicate what information is relevant and help them construct improved query statements. However, the techniques require explicit relevance assessments that intrude on searchers’ primary lines of activity and as such, searchers may be unwilling to provide this feedback. Implicit feedback systems are unobtrusive and make inferences of what is relevant based on searcher interaction. They gather information to better represent searcher needs whilst minimising the burden of explicitly reformulating queries or directly providing relevance information. In this thesis I investigate implicit feedback techniques for interactive information retrieval. The techniques proposed aim to increase the quality and quantity of searcher interaction and use this interaction to infer searcher interests. I develop search interfaces that use representations of the top-ranked retrieved documents such as sentences and summaries to encourage a deeper examination of search results and drive the information seeking process. Implicit feedback frameworks based on heuristic and probabilistic approaches are described. These frameworks use interaction to identify needs and estimate changes in these needs during a search. The evidence gathered is used to modify search queries and make new search decisions such as re-searching the document collection or restructuring already retrieved information. The term selection models from the frameworks and elsewhere are evaluated using a simulation-based evaluation methodology that allows different search scenarios to be modelled. Findings show that the probabilistic term selection model generated the most effective search queries and learned what was relevant in the shortest time. Different versions of an interface that implements the probabilistic framework are evaluated to test it with human subjects and investigate how much control they want over its decisions. The experiment involved 48 subjects with different skill levels and search experience. The results show that searchers are happy to delegate responsibility to RF systems for relevance assessment (through implicit feedback), but not more severe search decisions such as formulating queries or selecting retrieval strategies. Systems that help searchers make these decisions are preferred to those that act directly on their behalf or await searcher action