Wanting information: Uncertainty and its reduction through search engagement

IF 7.4 1区管理学 Q1 COMPUTER SCIENCE, INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Information Processing & Management Pub Date : 2024-11-18 DOI:10.1016/j.ipm.2024.103890

Frans van der Sluis

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Search is increasingly driven by casual-leisure motivations in favor of task-driven needs. This shift has culminated in ‘the urge to search’, where uncertainty serves as a potent ‘wanting’ state. Beyond this known influence on seeking intentions, this study examines the qualitative impact of uncertainty vis-à-vis interest (‘liking’) on search engagement and uncertainty reduction. In a study with 77 participants, 16 general knowledge questions manipulated participants’ uncertainty in their knowledge. Participants had the option to search for answers, and judged their knowledge both before and after searching. Results show that uncertainty motivates focused attention. A structural equation model reveals two distinct engagement processes for uncertainty reduction, involving either interest or focused attention and reward. This study is the first to show how different qualities of search engagement reduce uncertainty in a controlled setting. The findings underscore the value of providing rewarding and interesting opportunities for personal growth, transcending the impulse to search.

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想要信息：不确定性以及通过参与搜索减少不确定性

搜索越来越多地受到休闲动机的驱动，而不是任务驱动的需求。这种转变最终导致了 "搜索冲动"，其中不确定性成为一种强有力的 "想要 "状态。除了已知的对搜索意图的影响之外，本研究还探讨了不确定性相对于兴趣（"喜欢"）对搜索参与度和减少不确定性的定性影响。在一项有 77 名参与者参与的研究中，16 个常识问题操纵了参与者对其知识的不确定性。参与者可以选择搜索答案，并在搜索前后对自己的知识进行判断。结果表明，不确定性会激发集中注意力。结构方程模型揭示了减少不确定性的两个不同的参与过程，涉及兴趣或集中注意力和奖励。这项研究首次展示了在受控环境下，不同质量的搜索参与是如何减少不确定性的。研究结果强调了为个人成长提供奖励和有趣机会的价值，超越了搜索的冲动。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Information Processing & Management 工程技术-计算机：信息系统

CiteScore

17.00

自引率

11.60%

发文量

276

审稿时长

39 days

期刊介绍： Information Processing and Management is dedicated to publishing cutting-edge original research at the convergence of computing and information science. Our scope encompasses theory, methods, and applications across various domains, including advertising, business, health, information science, information technology marketing, and social computing. We aim to cater to the interests of both primary researchers and practitioners by offering an effective platform for the timely dissemination of advanced and topical issues in this interdisciplinary field. The journal places particular emphasis on original research articles, research survey articles, research method articles, and articles addressing critical applications of research. Join us in advancing knowledge and innovation at the intersection of computing and information science.