Seeking information with an information visualization system: a study of cognitive styles

Introduction. This study investigated the effect of cognitive styles on users' informationseeking task performance using a knowledge domain information visualization system called CiteSpace. Method. Sixteen graduate students participated in a user experiment. Each completed an extended cognitive style analysis wholistic-analytic test (the Extended CSA-WA test) on cognitive style, and then conducted eight tasks in the CiteSpace system. Analysis. Users' behaviour and performance data were analysed using statistical techniques to explore the relationships among various measures. The techniques include Pearson Correlation, multivariate analysis of variance, Pearson Chi-squared test and nonparametric tests such as Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results. Results demonstrated that users' cognitive styles did impact their search performance. The wholistic-Analytic ratio obtained from the cognitive test is significantly correlated with result correctness. After dividing the subjects into two groups based on the median wholistic-analytic ratio, analysis showed that subjects with wholistic preference felt significantly more satisfied with results than those with analytic preference. Additionally, subjects with analytic preference found significantly more correct answers than those with wholistic preference. Conclusions. These results indicated that cognitive style is an important factor in the study of information science and human-computer interaction. Research in this area provides valuable indication of future information system design.

[1]  S. Messick The matter of style: Manifestations of personality in cognition, learning, and teaching , 1994 .

[2]  R. Kelly Rainer,et al.  The Influence of Individual Differences on Skill in End-User Computing , 1992, J. Manag. Inf. Syst..

[3]  Xiaojun Yuan,et al.  Testing visualization on the use of information systems , 2010, IIiX.

[4]  Nicholas J. Belkin,et al.  The TREC Interactive Tracks: Putting the User into Search , 2005 .

[5]  Nicholas J. Belkin,et al.  Some(what) grand challenges for information retrieval , 2008, SIGF.

[6]  R. Riding,et al.  Cognitive Styles and Learning Strategies , 2013 .

[7]  Ian J. Deary,et al.  A new measure of Verbal–Imagery Cognitive Style: VICS , 2005 .

[8]  Peter Ingwersen,et al.  Cognitive Perspectives of Information Retrieval Interaction: Elements of a Cognitive IR Theory , 1996, J. Documentation.

[9]  Nicholas J. Belkin,et al.  Iterative exploration, design and evaluation of support for query reformulation in interactive information retrieval , 2001, Inf. Process. Manag..

[10]  Kyung-Sun Kim,et al.  Implications of User Characteristics in Information Seeking on the World Wide Web , 2001, Int. J. Hum. Comput. Interact..

[11]  George D. Magoulas,et al.  A flexible interface design for Web directories to accommodate different cognitive styles , 2005, J. Assoc. Inf. Sci. Technol..

[12]  Kyung-Sun Kim,et al.  Cognitive style and on-line database search experience as predictors of Web search performance , 2000, J. Am. Soc. Inf. Sci..

[13]  Jeonghyun Kim,et al.  Task as a predictable indicator for information seeking behavior on the Web , 2007 .

[14]  Judi Repman,et al.  The Relationship of Learning, Behavior, and Cognitive Style in Hypermedia-Based Instruction: Implications for Design of HBI , 1995, Planning Continuing Professional Development.

[15]  George D. Magoulas,et al.  Cognitive styles and users’ responses to structured information representation , 2004, International Journal on Digital Libraries.

[16]  Xiaohui Liu,et al.  Evaluation of a personalized digital library based on cognitive styles: Adaptivity vs. adaptability , 2009, Int. J. Inf. Manag..

[17]  Carol Collier Kuhlthau,et al.  A Principle of Uncertainty for Information seeking , 1993, J. Documentation.

[18]  D R Goodenough,et al.  Cognitive styles: essence and origins. Field dependence and field independence. , 1981, Psychological issues.

[19]  Paul Over,et al.  TREC-7 Interactive Track Report , 1998, TREC.

[20]  Xiaojun Yuan,et al.  Domain knowledge, search behaviour, and search effectiveness of engineering and science students: an exploratory study , 2005, Inf. Res..

[21]  Elizabeth Boling,et al.  Information-conveying approaches and cognitive styles of mental modeling in a hypermedia-based learning environment , 2008 .

[22]  Nicholas J. Belkin,et al.  Intelligent Information Retrieval: Whose Intelligence? , 1996, ISI.

[23]  Gary Marchionini,et al.  Information Seeking in Electronic Environments , 1995 .

[24]  David Miller,et al.  Web search strategies and human individual differences: Cognitive and demographic factors, Internet attitudes, and approaches , 2005, J. Assoc. Inf. Sci. Technol..

[25]  Nigel Ford,et al.  Individual differences, hypermedia navigation, and learning: an empirical study , 2000 .

[26]  Allen Newell,et al.  The psychology of human-computer interaction , 1983 .

[27]  Stephen P. Harter,et al.  Evaluation of information retrieval systems : Approaches, issues, and methods , 1997 .

[28]  R. Riding,et al.  Cognitive Styles—an overview and integration , 1991 .

[29]  N. Ford,et al.  COGNITIVE STYLES AND SEARCHING , 1994 .

[30]  Peter Ingwersen,et al.  The Turn - Integration of Information Seeking and Retrieval in Context , 2005, The Kluwer International Series on Information Retrieval.

[31]  Jacek Gwizdka,et al.  What a difference a tag cloud makes: effects of tasks and cognitive abilities on search results interface use , 2009, Inf. Res..

[32]  Chaomei Chen Individual differences in a spatial-semantic virtual environment , 2000 .

[33]  Chaomei Chen,et al.  Information Visualization: Beyond the Horizon , 2006 .

[34]  John B. Black,et al.  Identifying the Impact of Domain Knowledge and Cognitive Style on Web-Based Information Search Behavior , 2007 .

[35]  Bryce Allen,et al.  Cognitive and task influences on Web searching behavior , 2002, J. Assoc. Inf. Sci. Technol..

[36]  Ian J. Deary,et al.  On the assessment of cognitive style: four red herrings , 2003 .

[37]  Amanda Spink,et al.  Information seeking and mediated searching. Part 4. Cognitive styles in information seeking , 2002, J. Assoc. Inf. Sci. Technol..

[38]  Ian J. Deary,et al.  Examining wholistic–analytic style using preferences in early information processing , 2006 .

[39]  Nicholas J. Belkin,et al.  Investigating information retrieval support techniques for different information-seeking strategies , 2010 .