Evaluating exploratory search systems: Introduction to special topic issue of information processing and management

Online search has become an increasingly important part of the everyday lives of most computer users. Generally, popular search tools support users well, however, in situations where the search problem is poorly defined, or the information seeker is unfamiliar with the problem domain, or the search task requires some exploration or the consideration of multiple perspectives, such tools may not operate as effectively. To address situations where technology may not meet their needs, users have developed coping strategies involving the submission of multiple queries and the interactive exploration of the retrieved document space, selectively following links and passively obtaining cues about where their next steps lie. This is an example of exploratory search behavior, and comprises a mixture of serendipity, learning, and investigation [7].