Colleen Cool

Cases, scripts, and information-seeking strategies: On the design of interactive information retrieval systems

Abstract The support of effective interaction of the user with the other components of the system is a central problem for information retrieval. In this paper, we present a theory of such interactions taking place within a space of information-seeking strategies, and discuss how such a concept can be used to design for effective interaction. In particular, we propose a model of information retrieval system design based on the ideas of: a multidimensional space of information-seeking strategies; dialogue structures for information seeking; cases of specific information-seeking dialogues; anti, scripts as distinguished prototypical cases. We demonstrate the use of this model by discussing in some detail the MERIT system, a prototype information retrieval system, that incorporates these design principles.

Braque: design of an interface to support user interaction in information retrieval

We suggest that information retrieval is most appropriately considered as an inherently interactive process, and describe the design of an interface to a bibliographic information retrieval system that supports user interaction in an integrated fashion. A significant aspect of the interface design is its dependence upon a two-level hypertext model of information retrieval system databases, and the seamless support of a variety of information seeking strategies through the use of this model, and of a model of dimensions of information seeking behaviors.

The effect multiple query representations on information retrieval system performance

Five independently generated Boolean query formulations for ten different TREC topics were produced by ten different expert online searchers. These different formulations were grouped, and the groups, and combinations of them, were used as searches against the TREC test collection, using the INQUERY probabilistic inference network retrieval engine, Results show that progressive combination of query formulations leads to progressively improving retrieval performance, Results were compared against the performance of INQUERY natural language based queries, and in combination with them. The issue of recall as a performance measure in large databases was raised, since overlap between the searches conducted in this study, and the TREC-1 searches, was smaller than expected.

Query length in interactive information retrieval

Query length in best-match information retrieval (IR) systems is well known to be positively related to effectiveness in the IR task, when measured in experimental, non-interactive environments. However, in operational, interactive IR systems, query length is quite typically very short, on the order of two to three words. We report on a study which tested the effectiveness of a particular query elicitation technique in increasing initial searcher query length, and which tested the effectiveness of queries elicited using this technique, and the relationship in general between query length and search effectiveness in interactive IR. Results show that the specific technique results in longer queries than a standard query elicitation technique, that this technique is indeed usable, that the technique results in increased user satisfaction with the search, and that query length is positively correlated with user satisfaction with the search.

The effects of topic familiarity on information search behavior

We describe results from a preliminary investigation of the relationship between topic familiarity and information search behavior. Two types of information search behaviors are considered: reading time and efficacy. Our results indicate that as ones familiarity with a topic increases, ones searching efficacy increases and ones reading time decreases. These results suggest that it may be possible to infer topic familiarity from information search behavior.

Iterative exploration, design and evaluation of support for query reformulation in interactive information retrieval

We report on the progressive investigation of techniques for supporting interactive query reformulation in the TREC Interactive Track. Two major issues were explored over four successive years: methods of term suggestion; and, interface design to support different system functionalities. Each years results led to the following years investigation, with respect to both of these issues. This paper presents first the general motivation for the entire series of studies; then an overview of each years investigation, its results, and how they influenced the next years investigation. We discuss what has been learned through this series of investigations about effective term suggestion, usable and useful interface design, and the relationships between these two in support of the TREC Interactive Track task. We conclude with comments about the general methodology employed over this series of studies, and its relevance to the development and evaluation of interactive information retrieval systems.

Issues of context in information retrieval (IR): an introduction to the special issue

The subject of context has received a great deal of attention in the information retrieval (IR) literature over the past decade, primarily in studies of information seeking and IR interactions. Recently, attention to context in IR has expanded to address new problems in new environments. In this paper we outline five overlapping dimensions of context which we believe to be important constituent elements and we discuss how they are related to different issues in IR research. The papers in this special issue are summarized with respect to how they represent work that is being conducted within these dimensions of context. We conclude with future areas of research which are needed in order to fully understand the multidimensional nature of context in IR.

Iterative design of video communication systems

This paper reviews the design and implementation of several video telephony systems at Bellcore as a case study in iterative design. In contrast to single user compuer applications, communication systems consists of both the interconnection technology and the people who are interconnected. From a user’s point of view, the capabilities provided by the system, the rules for its use, and its reaction to their actions depend jointly on what its developers implemented and how other users behave. This fact has wide-ranging implications for system design, use, and evaluation. In reviewing our design experience, we identify four dilemmas for iterative design that flow from the inherently social nature of communication systems. We conclude with methodological and theoretical suggestions to supplement conventional iterative design principles as applied to communications systems.

Education for Digital Libraries

This article looks at the state of education in digital libraries. It reports findings from an international survey of library and information science (LIS) and computer science faculty, and websites, regarding digital libraries courses and curriculum at their institutions. Results of the study show that, currently, few schools offer courses specifically in digital libraries. While many schools have not developed Digital Library (DL) courses, they are aware of the need to develop curriculum in this growing area of research and practice. In this paper, selected examples of current DL course offerings are also provided to illustrate the variety of current DL courses. The web-based Diglib Education Collaboratory being developed at Rutgers University is discussed as an example of collaborative efforts amongst faculty at disparate locations. From our experience teaching a digital libraries course, students currently enrolled in DL courses often have mixed, and only vague, notions of both the nature of DLs and the content of courses devoted to their study.

Life and death of new technology: task, utility and social influences on the use of a communication medium

This field experiment investigates individual, structural and social influences on the use of two video telephone systems. One system flourished, while an equivalent system died. We use a time series design and multiple data sources to test media richness theory, critical mass theory, and social influence theories about new media use. Results show that the fit between tasks and features of the communications medium influences use to a degree, but cannot explain why only one system survived. Critical mass—the numbers of people one can reach on a system—and social influence—the norms that grow up around a new medium—can explain this phenomenon.