Online query refinement on information retrieval systems: A process model of searcher/system interactions

Abstract

This anick reports tidings of empirical research that investigated informarion searchers' online query reliiement process. Prior studies have recognized the information specialists' role in helping searchers articulate and refine queries. Using a semantic network and a Problem Behavior Graph to nzpresent the online search process, our study revealed that searchers also refined their own queries in an online task environment. The information retrieval system played a passive role in assisting online query refinement. which was, however, one that conlirmed Taylor's four-level query formulation model. Based on our empirical findings. we proposed using a process model to facilitate and improve query refinement in an online envimnmenr. We believe incorporating this model into retrieval systems can result in the design of more "intelligent" and useful information retrieval systems.