Contextualization of web searching: a grounded theory approach
| Published date | 11 April 2008 |
| Pages | 202-214 |
| Date | 11 April 2008 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470810864091 |
| Author | Yazdan Mansourian |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Contextualization of web
searching: a grounded theory
approach
Yazdan Mansourian
Department of Educational Technology, Tarbiat Moallem University,
Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to report selective findings of a wider study on interaction of users with
web-based search tools to underline the importance of context in information seeking on the web and
to introduce some of the contextual elements of web search context.
Design/methodology/approach – A series of intensive and in-depth interviews was carried out
with a sample of the Biology Community at the University of Sheffield. Critical Incident Technique
(CIT) was employed in the interview protocol and the collected data was inductively analyzed in the
light of Grounded Theory approach.
Findings – The results strongly suggest that considering the context of search is a pivotal factor in
understanding users’ behaviours, feelings, and thoughts during the period of information seeking in an
online environment. Five categories have been identified as the main contextual elements which affect
search performance of end users. These categories include web users’ characteristics; type of the
employed search tool; search topic; search situation; and features of the retrieved information
resources. Each category has its subcategories which have been illustrated in the paper.
Research limitations/implications – This study was carried out based on a relatively small
sample of academia and therefore the results cannot be easily generalized to the wide community of
web users. The results of this study should be able to make information literacy education more
effective by using information seeking behaviour research discoveries. This study demonstrated that
the outcome of any information literacy courses would be more efficient if the contextual factors –
which have been identified and illuminated in this study – were considered in the educational agenda.
Originality/value – The study possesses three characteristics that make it different from other
studies in the related areas. First of all, it took an in-depth insight to the interaction of end users with
the web in real situations. Secondly it focused on a specific targeted group, the academic biology
community. Thirdly the study adopted a qualitative approach, in contrast with mainly quantitative
web research.
Keywords Information searches,Information literacy, Qualitativeresearch, Worldwide web,
Search engines,User interfaces
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Web usage is not limited to a few specific purposes and its functionalities are
spreading across different aspects of life. However, among all web-based applications,
web searching is one of the most common ones. Web searching has become an
indispensable part of the daily life of various groups of society including academia.
Information seeking and information retrieval through the web is a multifaceted
process and many visible and invisible elements may affect on it. Some of these
elements can foster the process and assist web users to achieve their search goal. In
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm
EL
26,2
202
Received 3 April 2007
Revised 11 May 2007
Accepted 11 May 2007
The Electronic Library
Vol. 26 No. 2, 2008
pp. 202-214
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/02640470810864091
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