Investigating Master Student's Mental Models of Google Search Engine
Abstract:
The World Wide Web (WWW) is a major channel of getting information and web search engines are the most popular way of accessing information. This study aims to investigate master students’ mental model completeness level of Google web search engine. From the methodological perspective, this research is a practical one based on survey method. The sample population consisted of 30 master students from Ferdowsi University in engineering science, humanity/social sciences which selected purposefully and participated voluntarily. The main tools for gathering data are semi-structured interview (based on mental model completeness scale (Li, 2007) and designed questions) and direct observation.
The results demonstrated that 80% of students had incomplete mental models and 20% of them had good mental models and none of them showed a complete mental model. The majority of student's perception was good in Specific/General Info, Multiple Type of Databases, Matching Process, Keyword Searching and Info Authority. The majority of student's perception was moderate in Restricting/Broadening and Ranking/Sorting. But the majority of student's perception was poor in Limited Info, Indexed Pages/Sites, Search Assistance, Boolean Operators, Search Operators & Prefixes, Punctuation & Symbols, Advanced Search and Search Setting. There was a significant difference between mental model completeness level and interactivity level. That is, the students having the better mental model, showed better interactivity level.
According to the findings, it is necessary to consider mental model as a factor affecting information seeking behavior, in designing information systems and training users too. Understanding user's mental models reveal their errors, misconceptions and knowledge gaps; and by this pathology, it is possible to correct these faults and flaws and increase the effectiveness of the system and training.
Language:
Persian
Published:
Journal of Information Processing and Management, Volume:32 Issue: 4, 2017
Pages:
989 to 1016
magiran.com/p1738444  
دانلود و مطالعه متن این مقاله با یکی از روشهای زیر امکان پذیر است:
اشتراک شخصی
با عضویت و پرداخت آنلاین حق اشتراک یک‌ساله به مبلغ 990,000ريال می‌توانید 70 عنوان مطلب دانلود کنید!
اشتراک سازمانی
به کتابخانه دانشگاه یا محل کار خود پیشنهاد کنید تا اشتراک سازمانی این پایگاه را برای دسترسی نامحدود همه کاربران به متن مطالب تهیه نمایند!
توجه!
  • حق عضویت دریافتی صرف حمایت از نشریات عضو و نگهداری، تکمیل و توسعه مگیران می‌شود.
  • پرداخت حق اشتراک و دانلود مقالات اجازه بازنشر آن در سایر رسانه‌های چاپی و دیجیتال را به کاربر نمی‌دهد.
دسترسی سراسری کاربران دانشگاه پیام نور!
اعضای هیئت علمی و دانشجویان دانشگاه پیام نور در سراسر کشور، در صورت ثبت نام با ایمیل دانشگاهی، تا پایان فروردین ماه 1403 به مقالات سایت دسترسی خواهند داشت!
In order to view content subscription is required

Personal subscription
Subscribe magiran.com for 50 € euros via PayPal and download 70 articles during a year.
Organization subscription
Please contact us to subscribe your university or library for unlimited access!