Information seeking on the Web: Effects of user and task variables

This study investigates how cognitive style (field dependence vs. field independence), online database search experience (novice vs. experienced searchers), and task type (known-item vs. subject search tasks) influence users' search behavior on the Web. Forty-eight undergraduate students participated in this study. The participants were divided into four groups according to cognitive style and online database search experience. Each participant searched for information on a university Web site to complete two differing search tasks. The time spent and the number of nodes visited in retrieving information were used to measure users' search performance. The choice of navigation tools was examined to determine users' search and navigational style. It was found that online search experience and cognitive style interacted and influenced search performance, as well as navigational style. Online search experience also interacted with task type to influence navigational style and the number of nodes visited. The article concludes with suggestions for improving Web interfaces and Web-user training programs. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.