Journal Article

Untangling search task complexity and difficulty in the context of interactive information retrieval studies

G. Toms, Elaine, Wildemuth, Barbara, Freund, Luanne

2014

Overview

Purpose – One core element of interactive information retrieval (IIR) experiments is the assignment of search tasks. The purpose of this paper is to provide an analytical review of current practice in developing those search tasks to test, observe or control task complexity and difficulty. Design/methodology/approach – Over 100 prior studies of IIR were examined in terms of how each defined task complexity and/or difficulty (or related concepts) and subsequently interpreted those concepts in the development of the assigned search tasks. Findings – Search task complexity is found to include three dimensions: multiplicity of subtasks or steps, multiplicity of facets, and indeterminability. Search task difficulty is based on an interaction between the search task and the attributes of the searcher or the attributes of the search situation. The paper highlights the anomalies in our use of these two concepts, concluding with suggestions for future methodological research related to search task complexity and difficulty. Originality/value – By analyzing and synthesizing current practices, this paper provides guidance for future experiments in IIR that involve these two constructs.

• Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited,Emerald
• Subject: Attributes / Complexity / Conceptual development / Data mining / Definitions / Difficulty Level / Document management / Exact sciences and technology / Experimental methods / Experiments / Individual Characteristics / Individual Differences / Information and communication sciences / Information retrieval / Information science. Documentation / Information Sources / Library & information science / Library and information science. General aspects / Records management & preservation / Research Design / Researchers / Retrieval / Sciences and techniques of general use / Searching / Short Term Memory / Studies / Task Analysis / Task complexity / Variables