Personalizing Information Exploration with an Open User Model

Over the past two decades, several information exploration approaches were suggested to support a special category of search tasks known as exploratory search. These approaches creatively combined search, browsing, and information analysis steps shifting user efforts from recall (formulating a query) to recognition (i.e., selecting a link) and helping them to gradually learn more about the explored domain. More recently, a few projects demonstrated that personalising the process of information exploration with models of user interests can add value to information exploration systems. However, the current model-based information exploration interfaces are very sophisticated and focus on highly experienced users. The project presented in this paper attempted to assess the value of open user modeling in supporting personalized information exploration by novice users. We present an information exploration system with an open and controllable user model, which supports undergraduate students in finding research advisors. A controlled study of this system with target users demonstrated its advantage over a traditional search interface and revealed interesting aspects of user behavior in a model-based interface.