Information Search Processes in Complex Tasks

Our understanding of search processes triggered by complex tasks are limited [1]. It is not well known how does the information search process evolve during task performance and how search behavior varies by task process. How do changes in in information needs reflect in search formulation and tactics, in selecting contributing sources and interacting with sources for task outcome? A better understanding of these issues helps in identifying success criteria for various parts of search process. The results contribute also to designing support tools for complex search tasks. In the talk I analyze information search processes in complex tasks. By task I mean larger tasks, which lead people to engage in search tasks for finding information to advance those tasks [2]. Search process consists of activities from query formulation to working with sources selected for task outcome [3]. I approach task performance from cognitive point of view conceptualizing it as changes in cognitive structures [4,5]. These structures consist of concepts and their relations representing some phenomenon. I analyze how changes in knowledge structures are associated to query formulation and search tactics, selecting contributing sources and working with sources for creating a task outcome. As a result I suggest hypotheses concerning associations between changes in knowledge structures and search behaviors. I present also some ideas for success indicators at various stages of search process.