Patterns in query reformulation in online searching behavior
Patterns in query reformulation in online searching behavior

Summary/Abstract: The present study investigates the characteristics of online searching behavior with emphasis on query reformulation. The topic has been highly studied starting with Bates (1979), Jansen and Spink (1999), Rieh and Xie (2001), Vakkari (2003), Spink, Zhang and Jansen (2007). Earlier studies focused on analyzing patterns with focus on form and topic changes (generalization, specialization, parallel movement etc.), some of the latest studies began focusing on semantic aspects in defining the types of reformulations. We analyze the frequency of appearance for the different types of query reformulation based on the semantic approach used by Spink, Zhang and Jansen (2007). We therefore focus our analysis on query reformulations by adding or subtracting nouns, adjectives, verbs; conjunctions etc. before, after and between the terms of a prior query. We also analyze reformulations based on the use of synonyms or related terms and topic change. The analyses regarding patterns of query reformulation focuses on sequences of two and three reformulations. We examined 50.000 interactions collected from the computer logs of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration library registering students’ online activity during a normal day of school. The results show students use frequent changes in topic and noun and adjective addition in their online searches. This research is a step on identifying patterns in online searching particularly realized by students with implications in understanding how they use search engines in their educational activities.

• Details
• Contents