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Exploratory search in digital libraries: A preliminary examination of the use and role of interface features
Author(s) -
McCayPeet Lori,
QuanHaase Anabel,
Kern Dagmar
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
proceedings of the association for information science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.193
H-Index - 14
ISSN - 2373-9231
DOI - 10.1002/pra2.2015.145052010070
Subject(s) - interface (matter) , filter (signal processing) , exploratory search , computer science , human–computer interaction , task (project management) , domain (mathematical analysis) , information seeking , digital library , user interface , exploratory research , world wide web , information retrieval , engineering , sociology , social science , computer vision , operating system , art , mathematical analysis , mathematics , poetry , systems engineering , bubble , literature , maximum bubble pressure method , parallel computing
What interface features of academic digital libraries (DLs) do scholars use when engaging in an exploratory search task? We compare social scientists’ and computer scientists’ use of interface features in domain‐specific DLs to demonstrate what features may lead to useful and unexpected findings of information. Applying a search user interface framework, we found social scientists were more likely than computer scientists to use control features (e.g., filter options) during exploration. Both sets of scholars found useful information during exploration, but social scientists more frequently reported they also found something unexpected. Findings suggest differences may be due to variances in the interface features used by the two groups. We discuss future research including further examination of the experiences that the use of interface features may elicit.