Important Cognitive Components of Domain-Specific Search Knowledge

Many users have acquired a sophisticated understanding of searching the Web in specific domains. For example, we often hear of users who can get amazing deals for electronic products on the Web. What knowledge do such users have, and how does it affect their search behavior? To address this question, we observed information retrieval experts in the domains of healthcare and online shopping, while they performed tasks within and outside their domains of expertise. When performing tasks within their domains of expertise, experts used declarative and procedural components of domain-specific search knowledge that enabled them to perform effective searches. In contrast, when they performed tasks outside their domains of expertise, they used a range of general-purpose search methods leading to comparatively less effective search results. The study demonstrates the role of domain-specific search knowledge, and pinpoints its cognitive components. The paper concludes by suggesting approaches that should make the components of domain-specific search knowledge explicit and available to many users.