The dynamics of interactive information retrieval, Part II: An empirical study from the activity theory perspective

Human information-seeking behavior is complicated. Activity theory is a powerful theoretical instrument to untangle the “complications.” Based on activity theory, a comprehensive framework is proposed in Part I (Y. Xu, 2007) of this report to describe interactive information retrieval (IIR) behavior. A set of propositions is also proposed to describe the mechanisms governing usersʹ cognitive activity and the interaction between usersʹ cognitive states and manifested retrieval behavior. An empirical study is carried out to verify the propositions. The authorsʹ experimental simulation of 81 participants in one search session indicates the propositions are largely supported. Their findings indicate IIR behavior is planned. Users adopt a divide-and-conquer strategy in information retrieval. The planning of information retrieval activity is also partially manifested in query revision tactics. Users learn from previously read documents. A userʹs interaction with a system ultimately changes the userʹs information need and the resulting relevance judgment, but the dynamics of topicality perception and novelty perception occur at different paces.