Human multiple information task behavior on the web
| Pages | 118-135 |
| Published date | 16 March 2015 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/AJIM-12-2013-0154 |
| Date | 16 March 2015 |
| Author | Minsoo Park |
Human multiple information
task behavior on the web
Minsoo Park
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to explore the general nature of human multiple information
task behavior in Web information seeking and retrieval contexts and identify the factors that influence
the processes of prioritizing mul.tiple information tasks.
Design/methodology/approach –Experiments were conducted in a laboratory setting to collect data
from multiple sources including search logs, think aloud reports during the searches and interviews,
questionnaires, and post-search interviews. Quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques were both used.
Findings –The findings of this study reveal that effort, time and perception may all be necessary
factors in producing good performance in dynamic and complex information situations, but how the
author effectively manages the emotions ultimately yields successful performance. High mental effort,
even when accompanied by productive time management, is not sufficient to produce high
performance unless the author effectively deal with the emotions and feelings in such situations.
Originality/value –A comprehensive understanding of the affective, cognitive, and physical
processes underlying the human multiple information task behavior is vital if the author is to design
emotionally intelligent information systems that can support people when managing dynamic and
complex information situations in hi-tech environments.
Keywords Coordination, Emotion, Emotionally intelligent information system,
Human multiple information task behavior, MIT behavior model, Prioritization
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
People live in the world of ever-changing information technologies and such environments
have been bringing us new ways of accessing and utilizing information. Due to the
dynamism and strength of hi-tech information environments, we are getting more
involved in multiple information task situations.
As the Web becomes an important tool of information access and use in electronic
information environments, there is a need to understand user interactions with Web
technologies during the information seeking and retrieval processes. Studies in human
information task behavior show that people often have more than one information task
at hand at the same time when interacting with an information retrieval system (Spink
et al., 2002, 2006). In this case, people may batch their information problems or tasks
and decide to solve these problems or tasks simultaneously (Spink, 2004). Studies also
indicate that searches performed by users may have multiple goals, topics, or problems
in information seeking and retrieval contexts (Miwa, 2001; Spink, 2004).
Even though some studies in human information behavior discuss the nature of task
in information seeking and retrieval contexts (e.g. Vakkari, 2003), current human
information behavior models do not take account of the human multiple information
task interaction phenomena (e.g. Bates, 1989; Dervin, 1983; Ellis et al., 1993; Kuhlthau,
1993; Vakkari, 2001). Such models are limited to explaining the process of information
access and use while carrying out a single task (Spink and Park, 2005).
Multiple task performance is a critical human behavior that allows people to manage
complex environments by handling multiple tasks in an effective way. Yet, this important
Aslib Journal of Information
Management
Vol. 67 No. 2, 2015
pp. 118-135
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
2050-3806
DOI 10.1108/AJIM-12-2013-0154
Received 28 December 2013
Revised 30 November 2014
Accepted 16 January 2015
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2050-3806.htm
118
AJIM
67,2
behavioral phenomenon is still under-researched in the contexts of information seeking
and retrieval. Theoretical and empirical studies are needed to further the understanding
of how humans handle multiple information tasks. The research problem addressed
represents the increasing need for a greater understanding of human multiple information
task interaction in information seeking and retrieval contexts.
The purpose of this study is to explore the nature of human multiple information
task behavior on the Web. More specifically, this study aims at understanding the
general characteristics of multiple information task behavior and the factors affecting
information task priority.
2. Related studies
Different theoretical and experimental approaches to understanding multiple task
performance suggest that researchers are far from agreeing on how to explain the
multiple task behavior. In general, multiple task performance is the ability of humans
to handle the demands of multiple tasks concurrently through task switching or
interleaving, if necessary (Burgess, 2000; Carlson and Sohn, 2000; Just et al., 2001;
Lee and Taatgen, 2002; Rubinstein et al., 2001).
Research in experimental psychology has focused on the repetitive performance of
individual perceptual-motor and cognitive tasks (Rubinstein et al., 2001). Just et al.
(2001) tried to understand multiple task performance in a neuro-cognitive science
perspective. From a micro-level of multiple task performance, this study provides an
explanation of the reason we are unable to pay attention to and perform many tasks
simultaneously; the cognitive limitation in multiple task performance causes a decline
in brain activity.
Another field that has been studying multiple task performance is human-computer
interaction, which has captured the interest of computer and information scientists.
Miyata and Norman’s study (1986) gives us a good example of system support for
multiple activities. The example demonstrated by Miyata and Norman gives us an insight
on how the theoretical ideas on multiple task performance can be applied for system
support of multiple activities. They also mentioned some aspects of support during
execution of an activity, especially in regard to the execution of simultaneous activities.
In human information behavior, Spink et al. (2002) identified the multitasking
processes of information seeking and searching in four different studies: excite users
using a survey, excite search sessions, mediated on-line searches, and university
library users. The findings of this study show that multitasking information seeking
and searching is a common behavior, the prevalence of multitasking information
seeking and searching is not the same in different contexts, and multitasking sessions
(with more search queries and topic changes) last longer than single searching sessions.
Spink et al. (2006) analyzed a Alta Vista 2002 query set of two-query and three or more
query sessions to understand multitasking and task switching behaviors using a Web
search engine. The major findings of this study are: 81 percent of two-query sessions contain
more than one information task, 91.3 percent of three or more query sessions contain more
than one information task, multitasking search sessions include various information
topics or problems.
Spink et al. (2006) investigated assigned information problem ordering during Web
search. The findings of this study indicate that assigned information problem ordering
is influenced by: personal interest, knowledge level, information availability, level of
difficulty in finding information, level of importance and information seeking in order
from general information problems to specific information problems. In this study,
119
Human
multiple
information
task behavior
To continue reading
Request your trial