Using semantic differentials for an evaluative view of the search engine as an interactive system
Frances Johnson · 2012
In this paper, we investigate the use of semantic differentials in obtaining the evaluative view held by users of the search engine. The completed scales of bipolar adjectives were analysed to suggest the dimensions of the user judgment formed when asked to characterize a search engine. These were then used to obtain a comparative evaluation of two engines potentially offering different types of support (or assistance) during a search. We consider the value of using the semantic differential as a technique in the toolkit for assessing the user experience during information interactions in exploratory search tasks.