Challenges in Using Search Engines on Retrieval Perspectives: A Case Study in Omani Higher Education Environment

Abstract

Search engines are the major information providers in the current technological world. The information is searched, retrieved, analysed and used by an information seeker with different perspectives and motives. The search engines basically use various search strategies based on their popularity and usage. They use the keywords either individually or in combination to provide the necessary information to the information seekers. An information seeker needs to frame proper keywords in order to retrieve accurate information. Most of the time, the seeker might not be able to get the correct information in the first search itself. Various studies have already been conducted regarding the challenges in using search engines and search tactics. In this paper, we have discussed the challenges faced by the users in using search engines related to higher education in the Omani educational environment. This study is conducted to identify the challenges in using and delimiting the search keywords to get the best possible information by the Omani information seekers. It is conducted to measure the query processes in using the search engines.