What makes re-finding information difficult? A study of email re-finding

Re-nding information that has been seen or accessed before is a task which can be relatively straight-forward, but often it can be extremely challenging, time-consuming and frustrating. Little is known, however, about what makes one re-finding task harder or easier than another. We performed a user study to learn about the contextual factors that influence users' perception of task diculty in the context of re-finding email messages. 21 participants were issued re-nding tasks to perform on their own personal collections. The participants' responses to questions about the tasks combined with demographic data and collection statistics for the experimental population provide a rich basis to investigate the variables that can influence the perception of diculty. A logistic regression model was developed to examine the relationships be- tween variables and determine whether any factors were associated with perceived task diculty. The model reveals strong relationships between diculty and the time lapsed since a message was read, remembering when the sought-after email was sent, remembering other recipients of the email, the experience of the user and the user's ling strategy. We discuss what these findings mean for the design of re-nding interfaces and future re-finding research

EMA-Tactons: Vibrotactile External Memory Aids in an Auditory Display

Abstract. Exploring any new data set always starts with gathering overview information. When this process is done non-visually, interactive sonification techniques have proved to be effective and efficient ways of getting overview information, particularly for users who are blind or visually impaired. Under certain conditions, however, the process of data analysis cannot be completed due to saturation of the user’s working memory. This paper introduces EMA-Tactons, vibrotactile external memory aids that are intended to support working memory during the process of data analysis, combining vibrotactile and audio stimuli in a multimodal interface. An iterative process led to a design that significantly improves the performance (in terms of effectiveness) of users solving complex data explorations. The results provide information about the convenience of using EMA-Tactons with other auditory displays, and the iterative design process illustrates the challenges of designing multimodal interaction techniques

Stand in the place where you work: Digital implications of the use of the physical elements of a library during browsing

Information seeking is cognitively intense work, and browsing is particularly so. In complex environments, users will often support their work by using their bodies or artefacts around them to support the task at hand. When we move processes that have traditionally been performed in physical environments online, we need to consider any elements of cognition distribution, and how they might be supported in the new system. In this paper we discuss one form of external cognition during browsing: that of placemarking or context retention. We use data from an observational study to form detailed descriptions of five behaviours that constitute placemarking in some way and point to avenues for understanding how we might support these behaviours in a digital environment

Understanding TwitterTM use among Parliament representatives: A genre analysis

This article examines parliament representatives’ Twitter- contributions (tweets). First, the genre of communication approach is introduced to identify common characteristics and communication patterns. Second, the findings are analysed using various eDemocracy models and deliberative standards to identify to what extent these tweets could be characterized as part of a deliberative discussion. The tweets are mainly dominated by five communication purposes; providing links to information sources for other Twitter users, to inform about the representative’s ongoing activities, to express views on topical issues, introducing non-political (private) content and participating in online discussions with other parliament representatives. Other less frequent communication patterns include tweets attracting attention to the representative’s own blogs, requests for input from readers and finally discussions with citizens. The analysed tweets generally did not meet deliberative standards and are dominated by politicians disseminating information and discussing with other parliament representatives. We conclude by arguing that the parliament representatives’ Twitter use is linked to the Liberal Democracy model, where the main purpose is to disseminate information to electors, and provide information on ongoing activities to the audience

Users in the Driver's Seat: A New Approach to Classifying Teaching Methods in a University Repository

This article argues for a new, user-driven process of developing a classification for teaching methods. First, a previous literature review is summarized that verified the need for a classification of teaching methods. Then, types of classifications are introduced with their characteristics and typical uses in regard to the maturity of knowledge domains. After shortly reflecting the maturity of the knowledge domain “teaching methods”, former classifications’ approaches to mapping this knowledge domain are examined. We argue that previous classifications focused on analyzing the content and did not take user perspectives into account. In the third part of the article, a case study at the University of Vienna is presented. There, twelve representatives of four stakeholder groups were interviewed to determine their needs for organizing teaching method related objects in a repository. Interview results along with considerations on technology and knowledge domain suggested developing a facets classification at the University

The hierarchical terminology technique: a method to address terminology inconsistency

Computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW), Concept mapping, Hierarchical terminology technique (HTT), Inconsistent terminology,