Real Life, Real Users, and Real Information Needs:
This is an opportunity to analyze large sets of queries submitted to Web search
engines by users in the real world. The Web holds the possibility of addressing
a wide range of issues, from technological, social, cultural, and political,
among others. How is the Web, as an information medium, currently being utilized
and what can we hypothesis about its use in the future? What will be the impact?
Major Web search engines -- Excite, AlltheWeb.com, and AltaVista -- have provided
millions of queries from hundreds of thousands of users through out the world
for analysis. Possible specific topic areas include medical, education, children
issues, gender, sexual issues, language, government and eCommerce. Topics can
be discussed based on your interest. Opportunities for independent studies.
How Do Normal People Search the Web?
We videotaped, electronically recorded all interactions, and administrated pre
and post surveys to forty searchers using a Web search engine in order document
how searchers interact with online information and systems. General systems
theory (GST) views the information searching process as multiple and shifting
interactions. Using a GST approach, research using this data can take several
avenues, depending on your interests? What does this data tell us about how
people search? How can the system be improved to support the searching? What
are the complex interactions among users, systems and information? Specific
topics can be discussed. Opportunities for independent studies.
If interested, contact Dr. Jansen.