Individual differences in information seeking: The effects and interaction of spatial visualization and domain expertise.

摘要

Research in human computer interaction (HCI) has demonstrated that primary cognitive abilities, specifically spatial visualization ability (SVA), represent a powerful predictor of information-seeking success in electronic information systems. Individuals with low SVA take longer to complete tasks and experience more errors on first attempts to find information. Understanding the influences of SVA as well as its interaction with other aspects of individual differences, such as domain expertise, is critical to the design of systems intended to accommodate individual differences of users.; Thirty five participants, 23 males and 12 females, who were college seniors (n = 19) or greater including graduate students (n = 16), were assigned to groups based upon their self-reported membership in one of two specific disciplines: business (n = 26) or biology (n = 9). Using a median-split, participants were then assigned to groups based upon scores on tests of Spatial Visualization Ability (SVA). Each participant conducted five searches: one neutral search, two searches for business related information, and two searches for biology related information using the FirstSearch archival search tool.; A 2 x 2 factorial Analysis of Variance with one between-groups variable (high vs. low) SVA and one within-group variable (high vs. low domain expertise) indicated a significant main effect of SVA and Domain Expertise on time-to-first-article. There was no main effect for SVA on number-of-articles but there was a significant main effect of Domain Expertise on the number-of-articles found. There was no interaction between SVA and Domain Expertise.; Results of the study extend existing knowledge regarding the effects of SVA and domain expertise on information seeking and provide evidence in support of interface designs that are friendlier to information seekers who have low SVA.