Query reformulation strategies in an interdisciplinary digital library: The case of nanoscience and technology

This paper reports an investigation of the search behaviour patterns of nanoscience and nanotechnology searchers as revealed by transaction log analysis of the NANOnetBASE electronic book digital library. In particular, it examines the search and query reformulation patterns and strategies of nano searchers. The results show certain query formulation and reformulation patterns associated with searching in an emerging and interdisciplinary area of nanotechnology such as: the use of multiword and compound query terms, extensive use of search terms beginning with the prefix `nano´, hyphenated terms, spelling variations, a large number of query reformulations, and the use of acronyms.