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Information in the Digital Environment Information Seeking Models. Dr. Dania Bilal IS 530 Spring 2006. Information Options. Print Databases CD-ROM Web-based Command-driven (e.g., Dialog) Web-based interface Text-based interface. Print Option. Periodical indexes Most are inexpensive
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Information in the Digital EnvironmentInformation Seeking Models Dr. Dania Bilal IS 530 Spring 2006
Information Options • Print • Databases • CD-ROM • Web-based • Command-driven (e.g., Dialog) • Web-based interface • Text-based interface
Print Option • Periodical indexes • Most are inexpensive • Subscription • Owned by library • Easily accessible • One user per one volume/section used • Citations to magazine & journal articles • Update
CD-ROM Databases • Subscription • Need for software & hardware • Cost varies • Ease of use varies • Updates
CD-ROM Databases • High storage (650 mg to over a gigabyte) • 650 mg equivalent to 250,000 pages of text or 1 million catalog records • Can be loaded on stand-alone or networked computers. • Site license is needed
Command-Driven Databases • Search skills • User information need • Search topic negotiation • Up-to-date • Access to >100s of databases • Cost varies with database • Web- and text-based interfaces
Information Retrieval System (IR) • A set of components that interact to provide feedback • Comprised of interlinked entities • Agency that creates the databases • People • Documents
Interlinked Entities Agency People Documents
The IR Cycle • Documents are analyzed, translated, indexed, and stored. • Documents are organized • Cataloging (description/representation of docs.) • Subject indexing
The IR Cycle • Subject indexing a) Determination of subject content (conceptual analysis) b) Translation of content into language of the system (controlled vocabulary) c) Abstracting
The IR Cycle • Language of the system (controlled vocabulary) • List of subject headings (Pre-coordinate) • Thesauri (Pre-coordinate) • Classification scheme
The IR Cycle • Documents are represented by other entities • Author(s) • Date of publication • Language • Identifiers
The IR Cycle • Entities may become access points • Documents are stored after indexing • Document representation is entered into the matching mechanism
The IR Cycle • A file of document surrogates is established • File becomes available for searching using a variety of access points
The IR Cycle • User Query • Analyzed for conceptual content • Translated into the language of the system (matched against controlled vocabulary and keywords) • Matched against document surrogates in the database
Explanation of the IR Cycle • Output • A set of records found and deemed relevant to a user query • User judgment of retrieval
User Judgment • Relevance to information need • Relevance ranking by IR system • Relevance vs. pertinence
Document-Based IRs • Input, output, and matching mechanisms • Selection of documents (done by indexers) • Analysis of documents (done by indexers)
Document-Based IRs • Document representation (done by indexers) • Analysis of user query (done by system) • Matching user query with relevant documents (done by system) • Delivery of documents (output)
Information Seeking • Process of finding information to fill a knowledge gap • User requests • Known item searches • Unknown item searches Subject searches
Information Seeking Models • Ellis’ Behavioral Model • Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process Model • Nahl’s ACS Model • Marchionini’s Information Process Model • Wilson’s Problem-Solving Model • Belkin’s Information Seeking Strategies (ISS) • Belkin’s Anomalous State of Knowledge (ASK) • Dervin’s sense-making theory
Ellis’ Behavioral Model • Describes 8 information seeking patterns of social scientists, physical scientists, and engineers in using hypertext (e.g., the Web) • Starting (Surveying), Chaining, Monitoring, Browsing, Differentiating (Distinguishing), Filtering, Extracting, Verifying, Ending.
Kuhlthau’s ISP Model • Information search process from the user’s perspective in traditional environment • Affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor • Six stages: • Initiation, Selection, Exploration, Formulation, Collection, Presentation
Nahl’s ACS Model • Taxonomic approach for identifying the levels of information seeking behaviors • Searcher’s feeling (A), thinking (C), and doing (S) is termed “information behavior” • Levels are sequential and continuous
Marchionini’s Model • Problem solving approach to understanding information seeking process in the electronic environment • Eight processes: • Problem recognition, Problem definition, Selection of system/source, Problem articulation (query formulation), Search execution, Examination of results, Extraction of desired information; Reflection, Iteration, and Stopping of search process
Wilson’s Problem-Solving Model • Goal-directed behavior of problem solving • From uncertainty to certainty through the problem-resolution process: • Problem identification, Problem definition, Problem resolution, Solution statement (has affective dimensions) • Stages are sequential and non-linear
Belkin’s ISS Model • Task-oriented with 4 sets of tasks: • Browsing: scanning or searching a resource • Learning: expanding knowledge of goal, problem, & system used • Recognition: identifying relevant items • Meta information: interaction with items that map the boundaries of the task • Dynamic process
Belkin’s ASK Theory • ASK (Anomalous State of Knowledge) “The cognitive and situational aspects that were the reason for seeking information and approaching an IR system” (Saracevic, 1996). • Knowledge gap (anomaly) and the need to solve it • Implications for system design
Dervin and Sense-making • A need to make sense of the world or a current situation • A state that arises within a person, suggesting some kind of gap that requires filling. • Gap is filled by information
Dervin’s Sense-making • A search starts with questions directed at making sense of a current situation. • Communication is central to “bridge a knowledge gap.” • Strategies used are shaped by the user’s conceptualization of both the gap and the bridge, and by answers, ideas, and resources obtained.
Dervin’s Sense-making • Affective states (emotions, feelings, attitudes, etc.) are as vital as cognition. • Anxiety and uncertainty are reduced as the gap becomes smaller.
Dervin’s Sense-Making Metaphor Questions answered Ideas formed Resources obtained Situation Gap Bridged Uses (Helps) Gap Faced Barrier Faced Strategies used