Information Seeking and Retrieval in English as a Non-native Language
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Date
2017-01-01
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Department
Information Systems
Program
Information Systems
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Access limited to the UMBC community. Item may possibly be obtained via Interlibrary Loan through a local library, pending author/copyright holder's permission.
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Abstract
A strong disparity exists between the language distribution of Web content and the representation of speakers of different languages among Web users. While more than one half of content on the Web is in English, native English speakers account for only about one-fourth of all Web users. This disparity forces many non-native English speakers (NNESs) to search in English to satisfy their information needs. Information seeking and retrieval in a non-native language can present special challenges for users. There is insufficient research available on the information behavior of NNESs when they conduct online searching in English as a foreign language (EFL) or second-language (L2). Even less is known about their search strategies and interaction with systems and tools to accommodate their needs and assist their behaviors. The purpose of this research is to further understand the NNESs information behavior and, subsequently, explore design solutions to support them. Due to the complexity of the binary nature of the research, the study process is carried out in two stages. In the first stage, qualitative methods were utilized to extend the current understanding of NNESs search behavior in English. Findings in this stage shed light on behavioral patterns of language selection, search engine selection, query formation and reformulation, strategies, and browsing and filtering search engine result pages (SERPs). An iterative, or rather, spiral search process was observed and a user interaction model accommodating two query construction strategies was abstracted from these patterns. Based on the previous study findings, the second research stage took place. First, multiple UI prototypes were designed by the researcher. A viable UI prototype, TranSearch 1.0, was reached, developed, and tested through a user testing study. Next, based on the user feedback and the researcher's follow-up usability inspection, the prototype was redesigned to reach a more functional version and include more features, TranSearch 2.0. Finally, a user study was conducted with two purposes, evaluating TranSearch 2.0 and providing further redesign ideas and suggestions from users? perspective. Results and findings not only provide information about the utility of the proposed solutions and design implications, but also further inform the model for NNESs information seeking behavior.