This paper studies the influence
of question-related variables (closed/open and predictable/unpredictable
source) on a web user's choice of search strategy in the initial stage
of a search. Search strategies considered include direct address,
subject directory, and search engine. The specific research questions
are: 1) Do web users adapt their overall strategy in searching
the web or do they use one approach habitually, regardless of the question?
2) What search strategies do web users prefer in the initial stages of
a search? 3) Do web users differentiate their initial choice of search
strategies based on the type of search question? 4) How is level
of difficulty related to the question typology (and the question variables)
used in this study?
Subjects were 54 Finnish
and American students averaging about 2.5 years of web searching. Data
were gathered via a questionnaire asking for decisions about 16 questions
of four types: closed/predictable source; closed/unpredictable source;
open/predictable source; open/unpredictable source.
The participants in this
study not only indicated a fairly high degree of familiarity with their
initial search options and used multiple search strategies but also said
they were influenced in their choice of an initial search strategy by question-related
variables. Choice of initial search strategy varied significantly
across types of questions. The participants seem to be matching the
capabilities of the search strategies with the requirements of the question.
They agreed to a large extent on the level of difficulty they attached
to each question, and level of difficulty was closely related to type of
question. Although not analyzed in detail, in their reasons for assessing
level of difficulty, the participants indicated they were considering the
notion of constraints on the answer created by open and closed questions
and their ability to predict the source of the answer. Text
(PDF)
Presented at the 62d ASIS annual meeting, November 1, 1999, Washington,
DC.