Using concept hierarchies in text-based image retrieval: A user evaluation

Abstract

This paper describes our results from the image retrieval task of iCLEF 2005 based on a comparative user evaluation of two interfaces: one displaying search results as a list; the other organising retrieved images into a hierarchy of concepts displayed on the interface as an interactive menu. Based on a known-item retrieval task, data was analysed with respect to effectiveness, efficiency and user satisfaction. Effectiveness and efficiency were calculated at both the set cut-off time of 5 minutes, and the time after finding the target image (final time). Results showed the list was marginally more effective than the menu at 5 minutes, but the two were equal at final time indicating the menu requires more time to be used effectively. The list was more efficient at both 5 minutes and final time (difference not statistically significant) and users preferred using the menu indicating this could be a potentially interesting and engaging feature for image retrieval. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.