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A review of research on human‐computer interfaces for online information retrieval systems

S.M. Zabed Ahmed (Department of Information Science and Library Management, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh)
Cliff McKnight (Department of Information Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK)
Charles Oppenheim (Department of Information Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK)

The Electronic Library

ISSN: 0264-0473

Article publication date: 13 February 2009

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to review the research on human‐computer interfaces for library‐based commercial online information retrieval (IR) systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The review first focuses on basic interface issues for information retrieval such as interface style, end‐user searching, query formulation, relevance feedback and browsing. The second part deals with cognitive engineering in IR including mental models and individual differences. Finally, the topics on user interface engineering are covered. These include user interface guidelines, usability evaluation methods and interface engineering techniques.

Findings

The review shows that user interface design has received a limited attention from IR researchers. There is a need for adopting human‐computer interaction (HCI) techniques into IR interface designs, but this issue has not yet been fully recognised by the commercial database vendors and distributors. The paper recommends that applying HCI techniques could help in developing more usable IR interfaces.

Practical implications

The review identifies the main activities of a user‐centred design methodology and suggests that IR interface designers should use this method in future. This could have major implications in IR interface design for end‐user searching.

Originality/value

The review is the first to offer an overview of empirical research on IR interface design and IR usability engineering. Both IR researchers and practitioners may benefit from the description of previous research and the user‐centred design advocated by the current research.

Keywords

Citation

Zabed Ahmed, S.M., McKnight, C. and Oppenheim, C. (2009), "A review of research on human‐computer interfaces for online information retrieval systems", The Electronic Library, Vol. 27 No. 1, pp. 96-116. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470910934623

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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