AN ARTICLE CRITIQUE BY B ONNIE MACGREGOR

LIBR 285 SPRING 2010

M a n s o u r i a n , Y. , Fo r d , N. , We b b e r, S . , & M a d d e n , A . ( 2 0 0 8 ) . A n i n t e g r a t e d m o d e l o f “ i n f o r m a t i o n v i s i b i l i t y ” a n d i n f o r m a t i o n s e e k i n g o n t h e w e b . T h e E l e c t r o n i c L i b r a r y a n d I n f o r m a t i o n S y s t e m s , 4 2 ( 4 ) , 4 0 2 - 4 1 7

M a n s o u r i a n , Y. ( 2 0 0 8 ) . C o n t e x t u a l i z a t i o n o f w e b s e a r c h i n g : A g r o u n d e d t h e o r y a p p r o a c h . T h e E l e c t r o n i c L i b r a r y a n d I n f o r m a t i o n S y s t e m s , 2 6 ( 2 ) , 2 0 2 - 2 1 4

Information seeking in context: User oriented interactions

The RQ

The study is set in a grounded theory framework using an inductive approach to study the attitudes and behaviors of users in an information seeking environment on the web. By exploring user’s interactions with web -based search tools and resources and examining their feelings, thoughts, and actions after receiving unsatisfactory search results, the study seeks to address the research question :

“What components form the ‘context’ of a search query, and how does each component play a role in the final outcome of a search session?”

Literature Review

Table I.Comparing three senses of context

This study defines context based on Johnson’s

CONTINGENCY definition

Sampling Design & Data Collection

37 volunteers

• Dept. of Animal and Plant Sciences

• Dept. of Biomedical Science

• Dept. Molecular Biology & Biotechnology

Interviewed

• 45 min sessions• Open-ended

questions

Transcribed

responses• Digital voice

recorder

Data Analysis & Conclusions

More subcategories

were identified for each major

element

Understanding Qualitative Research Methods

Importance of defining variables and describing data collection

One-on-one interviews assist a social researcher to observe not necessarily assess or survey social phenomena, but rather allow a researcher to delicately pay attention to the attitudes and behaviors under study…A more personable approach

Conclusions are not concrete; often will suggest further investigation