Abstract
In their web search processes users apply multiple types of search strategies, which consist of different search tactics. This paper identifies eight types of information search strategies with associated cases based on sequences of search tactics during the information search process. Thirty-one participants representing the general public were recruited for this study. Search logs and verbal protocols offered rich data for the identification of different types of search strategies. Based on the findings, the authors further discuss how to enhance web-based information retrieval (IR) systems to support each type of search strategy.
Highlights
Search strategy is one of the major topics in interactive information retrieval (IR) studies, and many researchers have tried to identify various search strategies in the contexts of different tasks and situations
Eight types of search strategies were identified based on the analysis of sequential search tactics, and these eight types of search strategies can be grouped into five categories
This study has identified eight types of search strategies by analyzing sequences of search tactics applied in the web-based IR process
Summary
Search strategy is one of the major topics in interactive information retrieval (IR) studies, and many researchers have tried to identify various search strategies in the contexts of different tasks and situations. Search strategies are the products of planned or situational interactions between users and IR systems. A search tactic refers to a single movement or an action to achieve specific objectives in the information searching process, while a search strategy highlights a working plan and interactive reaction for a given situation. A search strategy consists of a series of Future Internet 2010, 2 sequential tactics that take into account both planned and situational elements [3]. Our study adopts this definition of search strategy and considers sequential tactics as the major component of a search strategy
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