User-Oriented IR Models 571- Information Access and Retrieval

System-oriented vs. User-oriented System-oriented approaches –information retrieval as a match between a request or a query and a set of documents –Artificial intelligence. User-oriented approaches –shift from document representation to the representation of the cognitive and social structure of users

Fundamental Models—related to Information Need Taylor’s levels of need (discussed last week) Belkin’s ASK hypothesis Dervin’s sense-making approach

Anomalous State of Knowledge (ASK) hypothesis Information seeking process begins with a problem Users cannot solve the problem by applying existing knowledge Users’ anomalous state creates cognitive uncertainty that prohibits them from adequately expressing their information needs. Need additional information to clarify users’ thoughts. The driving force of information retrieval is the users’ problem that leads to recognition of their inadequate knowledge to specify their information need.

GENERATOR’S IMAGE OF THE WORLD USER’S IMAGE OF THE WORLD TEXT REQUEST CONCEPTUAL STATE OF KNOWLEDGE INFORMATION ANOMALOUS STATE OF KNOWLEDGE CONCEPTUAL STATE OF KNOWLEDGE belief, intent, knowledge of user transformations realization of need Linguistic, pragmatic transformations Belkin’s cognitive communication system for information retrieval

–Explores the use of information in every day problems. –Assumes that life entails making sense of one’s environment and experiences; –Ever so often, you encounter unanticipated situations situation-gap-use which don’t make “sense” within the scope of our knowledge/experience base –Therefore, can best define, categorize or interpret them based on knowledge of the problem situation

Sense-making Approach –Assumes that life entails making sense of one’s environment and experiences –Ever so often, people encounters unanticipated situations which don’t make “sense” within the scope of their knowledge/experience base –People attempts to “make sense” by formulating a question

The Constructivist view - sense-making approach

Information Seeking Models Ellis’ Model of Information-seeking Behavior Bates’ Berrypicking Approach Kuhlthau’s information search process Wilson’s model of information behavior

Ellis’ Model of Information-seeking Behavior Starting –the initial work on a new topic or area. Chaining –following citation connections between materials. –backward chaining and forward chaining are the two frequently occurring chaining types. Browsing –glancing through an area with potential interest –one form of semi-directed or structured searching. Differentiating –identifying differences among sources to filter the materials examined

Ellis’ Model of Information-seeking Behavior Monitoring –keeping up with the developments of a field of study by checking specific information sources. Extracting –identifying relevant material based on going through a particular source. Verifying –checking the accuracy of information Ending –conducting a final search to complete the process

Bates’ Berrypicking Approach Searchers’ search queries evolve in the information-seeking process. Searchers seek information piece by piece rather than in one retrieved set. Searchers apply multiple search techniques in the search process. Searchers access different sources in addition to bibliographic databases.

Kuhlthau’s information search process Information use as process, rather than single acts/products task initiation; topic selection; prefocus exploration; focus formation; information collection; search closure/presentation Kuhlthau, C.C. A process approach to library and information services, Norwood, NJ: Ablex, 1994.

Kuhlthau’s ISP Stages

Wilson’s model of information behavior Incorporates theoretical modes of behaviors, such as stress/coping theory, risk/reward theory, and social learning theory, Enlighten the relationships between needs and information-seeking behavior, information resource usage, and self-efficacy Identifies several modes of search, e.g. passive search, active search, ongoing search, etc. Relate to other information-seeking models. The models of Ellis and Kuhlthau are the expansion and illustration of the active search mode of information-seeking behavior

Wilson’s model of information behavior

Interactive IR models Ingwersen’s Cognitive Model Belkin’s Episode model Saracevic’s stratified model Xie’s planned-situational model

Ingwersen’s Cognitive Model Originating from Ingwersen’s (1992) description of the processes of IR interaction –positions the searcher— influenced by his/her social or organizational environment—at the center of the interaction, Ingwersen and Järvelin (2005, p.261) proposed an integrated IS&R research framework with the model of interactive information-seeking, retrieval and behavioral processes. –a generalized model that considers cognitive actor(s) or teams derived from their organizational, cultural, and social context as the central component of the model

Complex Cognitive framework of longitudinal interactive IS&R (Turn, p. 274, Fig. 6.8) IT Retrieval Engines Database architecture Indexing algorithms Computational Logics ‹- Models -› Information Objects Knowledge representation Thesaural nets Full contents/structures… ‹- Models -› Interface Functions ‹- Models -› Information seeker´s Cognitive Space Work task/interest perception Cognitive & emotional state ‹- Models -› Problem situation / Goal Uncertainty Search task/Information need Information behaviour Relevance & use as- sessments Org. Cultural R Query R = Request / Relevance feedback Strategies Preferences Interests Domains Goals Work task situations Cognitive transformation and influence over time Longitudinal i nteraction of cognitive structures Modification Social Context ‹- Models -›

Cognitive Actor(s) As a central component of the model, cognitive actor(s) or teams can be represented by the following human groups in the information creation, organization, dissemination, and use process: –Creators of information objects; –Indexers analyzing and generating representations of information objects to facilitate retrieval of information objects; –Designers of interface and software to facilitate users’ interaction with systems; –Designers of retrieval engines, structures, and algorithms to facilitate users’ effective retrieval of relevant information; –Gatekeepers determining the availability of information objects into a collection or a carrier; –Information-seekers or searchers looking for information to solve their problems; and –Communities representing different groups from different organizational, social, and cultural contexts.

Models of information needs/use -- Nick Belkin’s Episode Model interaction –representation –comparison –summarization –navigation –visualization factors –user’s goals, intentions –knowledge –problem at that time –the nature of the information objects being interacted with

Belkin’s Episode Model

Models of information needs/use -- the stratified interaction model Tefko Saracevic’s stratified interaction model –surface level –cognitive level –situational level

Saracevic’s Stratified model

Cognitive View: Planned Model Views information seeking as continuous and interrelated actions. Attempts to understand information seeking in relation to general plans and goals. Newell, A. & Simon, A. (1972). Human Problem Solving. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.

Social Science View -- Theory of Situated Action Assumes that the coherence of action is not adequately explained by either preconceived cognitive schema or institutionalized social norms. Information seeking is an emergent property of moment-by-moment interactions between users and environments they interact with. Suchman, L.A. (1987). Plans and Situated Actions: The problems of human-machine communication. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Planned-situational Model People engage in multiple types of information seeking and retrieving strategies in order to find useful information. –Identifying, learning, exploring, creating, modifying, monitoring, keeping records, accessing, organizing, evaluating, obtaining and disseminating. People have to shift their information seeking and retrieving strategies under different situations in their information seeking and retrieving process –Routine situation Planned shifts –Disruptive situation Opportunistic shifts –Problematic situation Assisted shifts Alternative shifts

Planned-situational Model Planned and situational factors determine the selection of and shifts in information seeking strategies –Planned aspects Levels of user goals/tasks Dimensions of user work and search tasks User personal information infrastructure –Situational aspects Outcomes of user-system interactions Information objects users interact with IR system design Social-organizational context Xie, H. (2008) Interactive Information Retrieval in Digital Environments. Hershey, PA: IGI Global.

Planned-situational Model

Contributions of user-oriented IR models Providing theoretical frameworks for research on information-seeking and retrieval. Extend to specific issues in the information- seeking and retrieval process. Applied to both theoretical research and empirical research.

Limitations of user-oriented IR models There are no large-scale empirical studies that have tested or validated these models. A related issue is how these IR models account for key specific issues in IR. Their impact on practical implications, especially the design of interactive IR systems, is not as significant as their theoretical implications