User queries in image searching
Youngok Choi · Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology · 2009
BackgroundWhen we search information on the Web, we usually enter a query that best represents our information need, and then modify it as the search results are shown.Many thus have studied search queries to understand how users express and find their information need on the Web.For example, studies have shown that query length affects search performance (Belkin et al, 2003).Then, researchers have begun to examine image search queries on the Web.They analyzed search logs from general or commercial search engines or studied specific image database systems based on log analysis (Goodrum & Sprink, 2001; Jorgensen & Jorgensen, 2005; Goodrum, Bejune, & Siochi, 2003; Pu, 2005; Cunningham, Bainbridge, & Masoodian, 2004).While these studies provide basic understanding of image query formulation, further characteristics of user's queries in the interactive searching process have not been explored.This study thus builds on previous studies on image search queries by examining the patterns of query formulation and modification in visual information search.Specifically, first, it investigates the effects of tasks and other contextual factors on query length and query changes; and second, it compares the query length and changes with the user's satisfaction of search results.Methodology Participants Twenty-nine college students were recruited for data collection during the spring and summer semesters of 2008, mostly from the Department of Media Studies at the Catholic University of America (CUA).They included 22 from Media Studies and 7 from other fields taking courses in the department; 22 were females and 7 males; and an average age of 21 years.