Footprints: A Visual Search Tool that Supports Discovery and Coverage Tracking.

Area of Science:

• Information Science
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Data Visualization

Background:

• Searching large document collections is complex, involving iterative steps of query formulation, result filtering, and coverage assessment.
• Existing methods often lack effective tools for managing the discovery and coverage tracking aspects of information retrieval.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel framework and tool, Footprints, to support the 'discoverage' process.
• To enhance the navigation and management of information retrieval from large document sets.
• To aid users in assessing search coverage and identifying potential biases.

Main Methods:

• Development of Footprints, a visual analytic tool employing multiple coordinated visualizations.
• Integration of topic modeling for search space overviews and visuospatial search construction.
• Implementation of document status tracking (To Read, Read, Useful) and interactive coverage histograms.

Main Results:

• Footprints facilitates the 'discoverage' process by providing visual overviews and interactive tools for managing search results.
• Coverage histograms effectively highlight search biases and gaps, enabling users to refine their search strategies.
• The tool supports users in determining when sufficient material has been covered.

Conclusions:

• Visual analytic tools like Footprints can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of searching large document collections.
• The 'discoverage' framework offers a new perspective on information retrieval, emphasizing both discovery and coverage.
• User-centered design and iterative evaluation are crucial for developing effective information retrieval tools.