Memorization and information-retrieval behaviors

Abstract

What is the relationship between memorization of information and the behavior used to retrieve that information? Searching for photos stored on a media is a common activity. Chances are that it is easier to find some types of photos than others. To determine the reason for this, we conducted a user study to clarify the mechanisms people use to retrieve information. We found that the operational patterns differed with the degree of memorization and the types of target photos. In particular, we found that the overall relative positions of target contents and/or the order of the arrangement affect memorization. The difference in operational patterns can be interpreted as a difference in retrieval strategies. These findings should contribute to the field of computer-human interactions, enabling the mechanisms used to retrieve information to be better understood. This understanding should lead to interfaces that can dynamically and appropriately assess user intentions and situations. © 2009 Springer.