Abstract

Information visualization has the potential to improve the quality of Web search results representation providing more context and novel ways to see relationships among items in a result set. The key objective of this research was to evaluate the potential of graphical visualization for representation of Web search results especially for exploratory search tasks.

This is achieved by comparing the commonly used technique of ranked list representation of search results with the novel technique of representing these results using a cluster-based visualization technique. An experiment was designed in which participants performed Web searches for a set of predefined exploratory search scenarios. The number of links visited to complete each search task and the amount of time taken to complete the task was recorded. Participant feedback was collected to compare these two techniques. This information was then analyzed to evaluate efficiency of completing the search task, effectiveness at reaching the search goal, and user satisfaction with the two techniques. Important observations were made based on participant feedback on cluster-based visualization technique.

This research study demonstrates the potential of cluster-based visualization techniques for Web search results representation as a complementary tool to currently available techniques to improve user experience for exploratory search tasks.

Keywords

clustered visualization, exploratory search tasks

Date of this Version

6-3-2010

Department

Computer Graphics Technology

Department Head

Dr. Marvin Sarapin

Month of Graduation

May

Year of Graduation

2010

Degree

Master of Science

Head of Graduate Program

Dr. Marvin Sarapin

Advisor 1 or Chair of Committee

Dr. James Mohler

Committee Member 1

Prof. Ronald Glotzbach

Committee Member 2

Dr. La Verne Abe Harris

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