1,721,014 research outputs found
When Complexity becomes Interesting: An Inquiry into the Information eXperience
Get PDFUnderstanding the experience of a user during information interaction is recognized as a grand challenge for the development of information systems. Yet, in parallel, it is this challenge that is mostly left ignored. Through three studies, this thesis makes the IX - the experience while interacting with information - a manageable concern for information systems. First, an IXf is introduced that transforms the fuzzy concept of the IX into a formalized one. The IXf models the relation between relevance and IX. It shows how characteristics of information direct a user's affective responses and how a user's state can influence judgments of information. Second, a computational model of textual complexity is developed. The model is founded on findings about the causes of processing difficulty that a reader experiences while reading a text. This novel approach offers a unique model that is both able to distinguish texts according to their textual complexity and to predict users' appraisal of the complexity of a text. Third, a user study is conducted that explores the determinants of the emotion of interest. Using the model of textual complexity, the existence of a ``sweet spot'' of interest was confirmed; that is, interest peaks where the information is complex yet comprehensible. In line with this finding, the relation between the objective textual complexity of and interest in text provided unique proof for the existence of the Wundt-curve (which shows an inverted-U shape) that was posited over a century ago. Together, this series of studies shows how and confirms that information systems can orchestrate an IX: by adopting the IXf and appreciating when complexity becomes interesting
A Conversationalist Approach to Information Quality in Information Interaction and Retrieval
No full textRather than using (proxies of) end user or expert judgment to decide on the ranking of information, this paper asks whether conversations about information quality might offer a feasible and valuable addition for ranking information. We introduce a theoretical framework for information quality, outlining how information interaction should be perceived as a conversation and quality be evaluated as a conversational contribution. Next, an overview is given of different systems of social alignment and their value for assessing quality and ranking information. We propose that a collaborative approach to quality assessment is preferable and raise key questions about the feasibility and value of such an approach for ranking information. We conclude that information quality is an inherently interactive concept, which involves an interaction between users of different backgrounds and in different situations as well as of quality signals on users' search behavior and experience
Wanting information:Uncertainty and its reduction through search engagement
No full textSearch is increasingly driven by casual-leisure motivations in favor of task-driven needs. This shift has culminated in ‘the urge to search’, where uncertainty serves as a potent ‘wanting’ state. Beyond this known influence on seeking intentions, this study examines the qualitative impact of uncertainty vis-à-vis interest (‘liking’) on search engagement and uncertainty reduction. In a study with 77 participants, 16 general knowledge questions manipulated participants’ uncertainty in their knowledge. Participants had the option to search for answers, and judged their knowledge both before and after searching. Results show that uncertainty motivates focused attention. A structural equation model reveals two distinct engagement processes for uncertainty reduction, involving either interest or focused attention and reward. This study is the first to show how different qualities of search engagement reduce uncertainty in a controlled setting. The findings underscore the value of providing rewarding and interesting opportunities for personal growth, transcending the impulse to search.</p
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Search changes consumers' minds : how recognizing gaps drives sustainable choices
Get PDFDespite a growing desire among consumers to shop responsibly, translating this intention into behaviour remains challenging. Previous work has identified that information seeking (or lack thereof) is a contributing factor to this intention-behaviour gap. In this paper, we hypothesize that searching can bridge this gap – helping consumers to make purchasing decisions that are better aligned with their values. We conducted a task-based study with 308 participants, asking them to search for information on one of eight ethical aspects regarding a product they were actively shopping for. Our findings show that actively searching for such information led to an overall increase in the importance participants’ assigned to ethical aspects. However, it was the recognition and understanding of ethical considerations, rather than ethical intentions or search activity, that drove shifts towards more responsible purchasing decisions. Participants who acknowledged and filled knowledge gaps in their decision making showed significant behaviour change, including increased searching and a stronger desire to alter their future shopping habits. We conclude that responsible consumption can be considered a partial information problem, where awareness of one’s own knowledge limitations may be the catalyst needed for meaningful consumer behaviour change
Seeking socially responsible consumers : exploring the intention-search-behaviour gap
Get PDFThe increasing prominence of "Socially Responsible Consumers" has brought about a heightened focus on the ethical, environmental, social, and ideological dimensions influencing product purchasing decisions. Despite this emphasis, studies have consistently revealed a significant gap between individuals' intentions to be socially responsible and their actual purchasing behaviors: they often choose products that do not align with their values. This paper aims to investigate the role of “search” and it how influences this gap. Our investigation involves an online survey of 286 participants, where we inquire about their search behaviors and whether they considered various dimensions—ranging from price and features to environmental, social, and governance issues — in relation to a recent purchase. Contrary to expectations of a clear intention-behavior gap, our findings suggest most participants exhibited indifference or lack of awareness regarding these "responsible" aspects. While, for those participants who were more ethically minded, they reported difficulties related to searching for and acquiring information regarding such aspects, which contributed to the gap. Our findings suggests that part of the intention-behaviour gap can be framed as an information seeking problem. Moreover our findings motivate the development of search systems and platforms that better help support consumers make more informed and responsible purchasing decisions
Seeking Socially Responsible Consumers:Exploring the Intention-Search-Behaviour Gap
No full textThe increasing prominence of "Socially Responsible Consumers"has brought about a heightened focus on the ethical, environmental, social, and ideological dimensions influencing product purchasing decisions. Despite this emphasis, studies have consistently revealed a significant gap between individuals' intentions to be socially responsible and their actual purchasing behaviors: they often choose products that do not align with their values. This paper aims to investigate the role of "search"and it how influences this gap. Our investigation involves an online survey of 286 participants, where we inquire about their search behaviors and whether they considered various dimensions - ranging from price and features to environmental, social, and governance issues - in relation to a recent purchase. Contrary to expectations of a clear intention-behavior gap, our findings suggest most participants exhibited indifference or lack of awareness regarding these "responsible"aspects. While, for those participants who were more ethically minded, they reported difficulties related to searching for and acquiring information regarding such aspects, which contributed to the gap. Our findings suggests that part of the intention-behaviour gap can be framed as an information seeking problem. Moreover our findings motivate the development of search systems and platforms that better help support consumers make more informed and responsible purchasing decisions.</p
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Get PDFWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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