What do we know about how users seek information within digital image collections? What do we know about how users seek information within any type of digital collection? In LIS/KM 5053 we spent a lot of time focusing on the basic question of assessing user needs and reading about different theoretical approaches to seeking information. As I read the article on seeking behavior in digital collections, I realized the development of those theories were likely based on seeking printed material. Information seeking in the digital world may be different.
The article that triggered my thinking is entitled “Information Seeking Behavior in Digital Image Collections: A Cognitive Approach” by K. Matusiak. The author conducted a qualitative study to focus on search patterns of college students and community users who were interested in digital images. the focus of the study was on the initial interaction and user preferences. Research questions included how users look for images in digital collections–modes of access and which were effective in retrieving desired information.
The study used direct observation, self-reported logs and semi-structured interviews. Participants initially tended to use either keyword searching or browsing; students favored keyword searching; community users favored browsing. The community users spent more time searching, but explored more and were more successful in locating images. Hyperlinks were also useful in helping participants find images. When questioned, the participants were fairly split as to their searching preference. One participant browsed due to difficulty with English spelling; one simply enjoyed looking at the images. Time was a potential factor in the choice of search method. In addition, the student group was younger and perhaps had more confidence and experience with computer and Web searching. As participants had more contact time with the collection, they tended to experiment with the other search behavior.
This is the first study I have read truly focused on searching for digital images. I think it is an important idea to pursue, and it has implications for organizing digital collections and helping users with access.
Matusiak, Krystyna K. “Information Seeking Behavior in Digital Image Collections: A Cognitive Approach.” Journal of Academic Librarianship 32 (2006): 479-488.
