Interaction with Texts: Information Retrieval as Information-Seeking Behavior

Abstract

We present an analysis of information retrieval as an information-seeking activity, sup- porting people's inteactions with text. This analysis suggests that some assumptions underlying the standard model of information retrieval are inappropriate, and we sug- gest alternative assumptions and discuss their implications for information retrieval system design. It is proposed that information retireval is most properly considered as information-seeking behavior, that the central process of information retrieval is user interaction with text, and that the user is the central component of the information retrieval system. Possible ways to incorporate this view in the design of information retrieval systems are discussed.