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A new method for matching a document to potential users' information needs
Yuri Kagolovsky1, Stefan Pantazi, Jochen R Moehr
1School of Health Information Science, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 3P5, Canada.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|October 6, 2004
Summary
This study introduces a cognitive science approach to capture document information needs for better indexing. The "jeopardy game" and "think aloud" methods help match documents to user needs.
Area of Science:
- Information Science
- Cognitive Science
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Effective document indexing is crucial for information retrieval.
- Current indexing strategies may not fully capture user information needs.
- Understanding how documents address user needs can improve search system performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore methods for capturing the information needs addressed by documents.
- To enhance indexing strategies for document collections.
- To evaluate a novel cognitive science-based approach for needs assessment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a cognitive science approach combining the 'jeopardy game' evaluation method.
- Employed 'think aloud' analysis to understand user cognitive processes.
- Conducted a demonstration study to test the proposed methods.
Main Results:
- The study successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed approach.
- Identified specific information needs that documents can address.
- Gathered insights into user interaction with document information.
Conclusions:
- The 'jeopardy game' and 'think aloud' methods offer a viable way to capture document-addressed information needs.
- This approach can inform improvements in indexing and document collection management.
- Further refinements could enhance the accuracy of matching documents to user information requirements.