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Users' mental models of cross-device search under controlled and autonomous motivations

Jing Dong (School of Information Management, Central China Normal University,Wuhan, China)
Ruoyang Duan (School of Information Management, Central China Normal University,Wuhan, China)
Shaobo Liang (School of Information Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China)

Aslib Journal of Information Management

ISSN: 2050-3806

Article publication date: 31 May 2022

Issue publication date: 6 January 2023

263

Abstract

Purpose

Existing literature has elicited the external behaviors of cross-device search but not much is known about users' cognition of cross-device search. The study aims to explore how users perceive the cross-device search by combining with the mental models and how motivations affect the users' understanding of cross-device search.

Design/methodology/approach

The research questions are addressed through semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 59 users. Prior to the interview, the user is asked to complete a cross-device search task designed with the simulation of controlled and autonomous motivations to gain a real experience. The concepts of mental models are coded according to the constructivist grounded theory method.

Findings

The study finds the users' mental models of cross-device search consist of four dimensions: Element, Quality, Function and Issue. The effect of motivation on the mental models is tested as significant in terms of the Quality and Function aspects. The controlled motivation affects the user's perception of how the device switch influence the search and the autonomous motivation influences the user's opinion of search system functions.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study is found to extend the existing knowledge of cross-device search and update the mental models of information search in the current multi-device environment. The findings inform the future study of cross-device search and practices of search system design.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Funding: The research is supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (CCNU22XJ027).

Citation

Dong, J., Duan, R. and Liang, S. (2023), "Users' mental models of cross-device search under controlled and autonomous motivations", Aslib Journal of Information Management, Vol. 75 No. 1, pp. 68-89. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJIM-02-2022-0057

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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