 |
Edited by
Dr. David J. Ayersman, Mary Washington College, and Dr. W.
Michael Reed,
New York University
Incoming editor: Dr. Lynne Schrum, University of Georgia
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| formerly Journal of Research on Computing in
Education |
Volume 34 Number 4
Summer 2002
Needle
in a Hyperstack: Searching for Information on the World Wide Web
Rafi Nachmias and Amir Gilad
Tel Aviv University, Israel
Abstract
This study examines the process of searching for
information on the Internet by (a) assessing participants’ success in
finding specific
information on the Web, (b) identifying the characteristics of the
information search process (e.g., search duration, number of steps
used),
and (c) identifying the search strategies used and assessing their
effectiveness. Subjects were 54 graduate students who were asked to
accomplish
three relatively simple search tasks: (a) find a picture of the
Mona Lisa, (b) find a complete text of Robinson Crusoe or David
Copperfield, and
(c) find a recipe of an apple pie that was accompanied by a
photograph. All search processes performed by each participant were
recorded and fully
logged by tracking software. Findings showed that overall success
in searching information was low. About 46% of the search tasks were not
accomplished
successfully, and only 15% of the students succeeded in all three
tasks. Further analysis reveals nine different search strategies used by
the students.
The distribution of their usage and effectiveness are presented and
discussed.
Contributors
Dr. Rafi Nachmias is the head of the Science and Technology
Education Center (SATEC) at Tel Aviv University and a faculty member of
the School
of Education. His major research areas are Web-based instruction,
ICT in learning and instruction, and mathematics and science education.
Amir
Gilad was an MA student in the School of Education at Tel Aviv
University. His interests are Web design and cognitive aspects of human
behavior.
Download
the full article (PDF, 78 KB, PDF Instructions)
Contact
Dr. Rafi Nachmias
School of Education
Tel Aviv
University
Tel Aviv 69978
Israel
nachmias@post.tau.ac.il
Copyright © 2002, ISTE (International Society for Technology
in Education).
All rights reserved.
| searching for information, user behavior, World Wide Web |
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