Information search behaviour in the German Education Index

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Carstens, Carola | Rittberger, Marc | Wissel, Verena

Affiliations: German Institute for International Educational Research, Information Center for Education, Schloßstraße 29, 60486 Frankfurt, Germany. carstens@dipf.de | German Institute for International Educational Research, Information Center for Education Schloßstraße 29, 60486 Frankfurt, Germany | German Institute for International Educational Research, Information Center for Education Schloßstraße 29, 60486 Frankfurt, Germany

Abstract: This paper presents results from an analysis of user interactions in the German Education Index (GEI) specialized search engine. The main interest of this study is to gain insight into the GEI users’ typical search behaviour to identify optimization potential for the further development of the GEI search engine. Based on a sample of query logfiles, our study reveals that the users apply advanced search functionalities and query reformulation tactics adequately, though not frequently, and that more support in their application might increase the effectiveness of searches in the GEI.

Keywords: Information search behaviour, search tactics, search strategies, logfile analysis, digital libraries

DOI: 10.3233/WDL-120076

Journal: World Digital Libraries - An international journal, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 69-80, 2011