Patterns and transitions of query reformulation during web searching

Bernard J. Jansen, Mimi Zhang, Amanda Spink

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose - To investigate and identify the patterns of interaction between searchers and search engine during web searching. Design/methodology/approach - The authors examined 2,465,145 interactions from 534,507 users of Dogpile.com submitted on May 6, 2005, and compared query reformulation patterns. They investigated the type of query modifications and query modification transitions within sessions. Findings - The paper identifies three strong query reformulation transition patterns: between specialization and generalization; between video and audio, and between content change and system assistance. In addition, the findings show that web and images content were the most popular media collections. Originality/value - This research sheds light on the more complex aspects of web searching involving query modifications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1641924
Pages (from-to)328-340
Number of pages13
JournalInternational Journal of Web Information Systems
Volume3
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Information Systems
  • Computer Networks and Communications

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