Retrieving haystacks: a data driven information needs model for faceted search.

Cleverley, Paul Hugh; Burnett, Simon

Abstract

The research aim was to develop an understanding of information need characteristics for word co-occurrence-based search result filters (facets). No prior research has been identified into what enterprise searchers may find useful for exploratory search and why. Various word co-occurrence techniques were applied to results from sample queries performed on industry membership content. The results were used in an international survey of 54 practising petroleum engineers from 32 organizations. Subject familiarity, job role, personality and query specificity are possible causes for survey response variation. An information needs model is presented: Broad, Rich, Intriguing, Descriptive, General, Expert and Situational (BRIDGES). This may help professionals to more effectively meet their information needs and stimulate new needs, improving a systems ability to facilitate serendipity. This research has implications for faceted search in enterprise search and digital library deployments.

Citation

CLEVERLEY, P. H. and BURNETT, S., 2015. Retrieving haystacks: a data driven information needs model for faceted search. Journal of information science [online], 41(1), pages 97-113. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/0165551514554522

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 5, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Nov 5, 2014
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Apr 22, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 22, 2015
• Journal: Journal of information science
• Print ISSN: 0165-5515
• Electronic ISSN: 1741-6485
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 97-113
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0165551514554522
• Keywords: Enterprise search; Digital library; Exploratory search; Human computer interaction (HCS); Information discovery; Word co-occurrence; Text analytics; Oil and gas; Information seeking behaviour; Serendipity; User interface design
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/1191
• Contract Date: Apr 22, 2015