How Do People Re-Find Information They've Found on the Web?

Title: How Do People Re-Find Information They've Found on the Web?

Authors: Robert G. Capra and Manuel A. Pérez-Quiñones

Abstract: This study investigates how people re-find and re-use information they've found on the web. It uses a collaborative exercise with pairs of participants, where one participant acts as a retriever, helping the other participant re-find information. The study finds that re-finding often occurs in two stages: searching for an information source and then browsing to find the specific information. Annotations added by users were found to be extensively used, indicating that explicitly added context can play an important role in re-finding.

Research Question: How do people re-find information they've found on the web?

Methodology: The study used a controlled, laboratory study design. Participants were paired and one acted as a retriever, helping the other participant re-find information. The participants could add annotations to the web pages they viewed. The study observed that re-finding often involved a two-stage process: searching for an information source and then browsing to find the specific information. Annotations were found to be extensively used, suggesting that explicitly added context can aid in re-finding.

Results: The study found that re-finding often occurs as a two-stage, iterative process. Participants first attempted to locate an information source (search) and once found, began a process to find the specific information being sought (browse). Annotations were found to be extensively used, indicating that explicitly added context by the user can play an important role in re-finding.

Implications: The study suggests that tools and interfaces should be designed to support the re-finding process. This includes providing directed access to satisfy specific information needs and supporting the artifacts and vocabulary used by users. The study also highlights the importance of explicitly added context in aiding re-finding.

Link to Article: https://arxiv.org/abs/0310011v1 Authors: arXiv ID: 0310011v1