Query Priming for Promoting Critical Thinking in Web Search

Abstract

We propose query priming to activate careful user information seeking in web searches. Query priming employs query auto-completion (QAC) and query suggestion (QS) to present search terms that stimulate critical thinking and encourages careful information seeking and decision making. We conducted an online user study using a crowdsourcing service. Analysis of search behavior logs and questionnaire responses confirmed the following. (1) With query priming, participants issued more queries and (re-)visited search engine result pages more frequently. (2) Query priming promoted webpage selection targeted at evidence-based decision making. (3) The query priming effect varied relative to participant educational background. This study contributes to search interaction design to enhance user engagement in critical thinking in web searches.