Dico: A conceptual model to support the design and evaluation of advanced search features for exploratory search

Abstract

The design of models and tools to support Exploratory Search acquires more importance as the amount of information on the Web grows. The use of advanced search features is a viable approach for query exploration during Exploratory Search. However, the usage of advanced search features remains relatively low since Web search engines became popular, partially because of design decisions that ignore the complex and flexible nature of search activities. In this paper, we introduce Dico: a conceptual model for advanced search features for Exploratory Search, presenting and evaluating a set of guidelines created to support designers and evaluators to design better advanced search features, promoting its usage. Results from an evaluation activity with prospective designers indicated participants were able to make sense of Dico’s guidelines, suggesting the guidelines as a promising artifact to support the evaluation of search engines.