TimeTree: A novel way to visualize and manage exploratory search process

Abstract

Methods have been proposed to assist activities in exploratory search processes, but few allow the users to appropriately manage their own search processes. In this paper, we present the TimeTree workspace provided in our process-oriented search system CiteXplore that supports visualized management of search processes and enables reviewing and retrospecting of information during long-term exploratory search. Formal user experiments with 16 participants have been proposed to evaluate the proposed methods. We also discuss possible research directions to use TimeTree to reuse search experiences by enabling collaborative search and providing visualized recommendations.