Search results

Informational conflict and uncertainty are common features across a range of sources, topics and tasks. Search engines and their presentation of results via search engine results pages (SERPs) often underpinned by knowledge graphs (KGs) are commonly used across tasks. Yet, it is not clear how search does, or could, represent the informational conflict that exists across and within returned results. The purpose of this paper is to review KG and SERP designs for representation of uncertainty or disagreement.

The authors address the aim through a systematic analysis of material regarding uncertainty and disagreement in KG and SERP contexts. Specifically, the authors focus on the material representation – user interface design features – that have been developed in the context of uncertainty and disagreement representation for KGs and SERPs.

Searches identified n = 136 items as relevant, with n = 4 sets of visual materials identified from these for analysis of their design features. Design elements were extracted against sets of design principles, highlighting tensions in the design of such features.

The authors conclude by highlighting two key challenges for interface design and recommending six design principles in representing uncertainty and conflict in SERPs. Given the important role technologies play in mediating information access and learning, addressing the representation of uncertainty and disagreement in the representation of information is crucial.

This study aims to explore the eye movement behavior of preadolescent children accessing and diagnosing information.

The researchers tracked the eye movements of 30 children with an eye-tracking apparatus. Using the kit of factor-referenced cognitive tests to measure perceptual speed and associative memory, they measured information-searching behavior with screen recordings, the data of which were analyzed by IBM SPSS Statistics 26.

Regarding information accessibility, there was a correlation between the child’s age, associative memory and the number of round-trip choices, and there were differences in the total fixation area among children of different age groups. Regarding diagnosticity, perceptual speed was positively correlated with the total fixation area, and the number of round-trip choices was negatively correlated with fixation duration.

Empirical evidence suggests that during information encoding, perceptual speed is the most important influencing factor. Extensive research indicates that children predominantly rely on recall and familiarity when searching for new information, both of which play roles in associative memory. Through an examination of the psychological and behavioral indicators of children, the study elucidated the cognitive processes involved in information processing and how children engage with information at both visual and cognitive levels.

This conceptual paper aims to demonstrate a holistic, multifaceted framework of interest development, information search, and knowledge construction (ISK) on children’s diverse information search behaviors.

By reviewing previous literature on children’s interest development, online information seeking and search, and knowledge construction, we propose the ISK framework. Then, we provide example case studies with pilot analyses using qualitative approaches (e.g. video-based interaction analysis, thematic analysis) showing how the framework can be applied to different types of authentic information-seeking situations for children.

The ISK framework demonstrates the multifaceted interplays between children’s information behavior and their cognitive and affective development. This framework was supported using previous studies and pilot empirical applications. We also included potential research questions that could be addressed using the framework.

Our paper provides a conceptual grounding to an in-depth, multidimensional understanding of children’s information behavior, which have been limitedly addressed in previous studies. Considering that children begin to search from their early stage of development and their search behaviors are tightly associated with other developmental states, our paper highlights the importance of investigating children’s search and information seeking and provides theoretical and empirical implications.

With the rapid development of technology, 360° panorama on mobile as a very convenient way to present virtual reality has brought a new shopping experience to consumers. Usually, consumers get product information through virtual annotations in 360° panorama and then make a series of shopping behaviors. The visual design of virtual annotation significantly influences users' online visual search for product information. This study aims to investigate the influence of the visual design of virtual annotation on consumers' shopping experience in the online shopping interface of 360° panorama.

A 2 × 3 between-subject design was planned to help explore whether different display model of annotation (i.e. negative polarity and positive polarity) and different background transparency of annotation (i.e. 0% transparency, 25% transparency and 50% transparency) may affect users' task performance and their subjective evaluations.

(1) Virtual annotations with different background transparency affect user performance, and transparency has better visual search performance. (2) Virtual annotation background display mode may affect the user operation performance; the positive polarity of the virtual annotation is more convenient for the users' visual searching for product information. (3) When the annotation background transparency is opaque or semi-transparent, the negative polarity display is more favorable to the users' visual search. However, this situation is reversed when the annotation background transparency is 25%. (4) Participants preferred the presentation of positive polarity virtual annotations. (5) Regarding the degree of willingness to use and ease of understanding, participants preferred the negative polarity display for 0% background transparency or 50% background transparency. However, the opposite result was obtained for 25% background transparency.

The findings generated from the research can be a good reference for the development of virtual annotation visual design for mobile shopping applications.

1. Virtual annotation background transparency and background display mode are two essential attributes of 360° panoramas.

2. This study examined how virtual annotation background transparency and background display mode influence user performance and experience.

3. It is recommended to use a translucent or opaque annotation background with a negative polarity display.

4. Virtual annotation presentation with 25% background transparency facilitates consumer searching and comparison of product information.

5. Users prefer a positive polarity annotation display.

Virtual annotation background transparency and background display mode are two essential attributes of 360° panoramas.

This study examined how virtual annotation background transparency and background display mode influence user performance and experience.

It is recommended to use a translucent or opaque annotation background with a negative polarity display.

Virtual annotation presentation with 25% background transparency facilitates consumer searching and comparison of product information.

Users prefer a positive polarity annotation display.

Understanding the effect of assortment composition on attentional levels is an essential topic for academic researchers and practitioners. This work has important implications when analyzing the influence of shopping frame time and search effort on the relationship between the reaction to assortment composition and visual attention to stock-keeping units (SKUs) pricing.

Two experimental studies through gauze behavior analysis technology (using eye-tracking equipment) analyze the variable's large assortment, visual attention to SKU pricing, search effort and shopping frame time.

The results suggest that, although it increases the search effort, a large assortment decreases the visual attention to SKU pricing. Further, our results indicate a moderating effect associated with mitigating the negative effect by medium-low levels of search effort and a moderating impact of time in this relation.

Marketing professionals can carefully optimize the in-store experience by managing the assortment and variety and by influencing consumers' visual attention to SKU pricing along the journey as part of the experience. Assortment and SKU pricing strategies need to be aligned with consumer journey design.

Our findings contribute to assortment theory and management by detailing the relationship between consumers' reactions to assortment perception and visual attention to SKU pricing in time flow. We reinforce the importance of considering assortment strategies from the consumer perspective and giving reliable information about in-store behavior.

This paper aims to evaluate the accessibility of digital information systems as a key usability attribute in information retrieval by users with visual impairment (VI), to inform development of accessible information systems.

This study used a cross-sectional survey design based on the quantitative research paradigm. Data was collected from 117 students with visual impairments from selected public universities in Kenya, using a semi-structured questionnaire adapted from Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

This study revealed that gender did not influence screen reader compatibility, alternative format preferences, perceptions of accessible content or digital library navigability. Instead, type of visual impairment, prior assistive technology (AT) training and digital library use frequency significantly impacted these attributes. Blind students reported positive experiences, favouring alternative formats, and expressed positive views on accessible content while those with low vision faced more challenges. Prior training in assistive technology and frequent digital library use resulted in higher screen reader compatibility and better navigability. Increased digital library use was linked to access to alternative content for those with prior assistive technology training.

This study contributes to the existing literature on accessibility of digital information systems for users with visual impairments. Further research is needed to explore other factors that may influence the accessibility of digital systems, such as the design of user interfaces as well as an evaluation of accessibility of digital systems for other categories of disabilities such as hearing impairment, physical impairment, autism and intellectual disability, among others.

The findings of this study have practical implications for the design and development of digital systems such as digital libraries. Developers can leverage findings of this study to enhance compatibility of digital platforms with screen readers and provide alternative formats and accessible content. User-centred design principles can be used to create interfaces that are easy to navigate and friendly to users with visual impairments. Training programmes on assistive technology should be provided to users to enhance their skills and confidence in using digital systems.

This study contributes towards design and creation of navigable systems that are compatible with screen readers. The study also points out the importance of creating more inclusive and usable digital environments for persons with visual impairments.

Using the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) theoretical model, this empirical research aims to examine and validate how tourists’ interactions with 360-degree virtual reality (VR) videos incorporating Web navigability and visual interface design quality (stimulus) on travel websites can make tourists more engaged and then satisfied (organism), which could make them more likely to visit destinations and spread electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) (response).

Using the convenience sampling method, 975 responses were collected through a questionnaire. The data were analysed using Smart-PLS 4 software to investigate the hypothesised relationships.

The findings demonstrate that 360-degree VR videos significantly create Web user engagement, and Web user engagement is significantly associated with Web user satisfaction. The result shows that Web user engagement and satisfaction impact the intention to visit the tourist destination. Additionally, Web user satisfaction impacts e-WOM. Lastly, navigability and visual interface design quality are significantly moderated between 360-degree VR videos and Web user engagement.

This research only examined the tourists’ behavioural intentions with 360-degree VR videos during the pre-travel phase. In contrast, future research may investigate how tourists behave with VR during the on-site and post-travel phases.

Tourism marketers should not only adopt 360-degree VR but also integrate Web navigability and visual interface design to boost Web users’ engagement on tourism websites.

This study advances the study of VR from the tourists’ psychological perspective. Moreover, the SOR theory has been re-examined from the VR and technology tourism perspectives. It provides a general understanding of the behavioural aspects of tourists in developing countries.

利用刺激-有机体反应（SOR）理论模型, 本实证研究检验并验证了游客与旅游网站上结合了网络导航性和视觉界面设计质量（刺激）的360度虚拟现实(VR)视频的互动如何使游客更投入、更满意（有机体）, 这可能使他们更有可能访问目的地并传播电子口碑（响应）。

采用方便抽样法, 通过问卷调查收集了975份回复。使用Smart-PLS 4软件对数据进行分析, 以调查假设的关系。

研究结果表明, 360度虚拟现实(VR)视频显著提高了网络用户参与度, 网络用户参与与网络用户满意度显著相关。结果表明, 网络用户参与度和满意度对旅游目的地的访问意愿有影响。此外, 网络用户满意度也会影响电子口碑。最后, 在360度虚拟现实(VR)视频和网络用户参与度之间, 导航性和视觉界面设计质量显著适中。

这项研究只考察了游客在旅行前阶段使用360度虚拟现实(VR)视频的行为意图。相比之下, 未来的研究可能会调查游客在现场和旅行后阶段使用虚拟现实(VR)的行为。

旅游营销人员不仅应采用360度虚拟现实(VR), 还应将网络导航性和视觉界面设计相结合, 以提高网络用户对旅游网站的参与度。

本研究从游客的心理角度推进了虚拟现实(VR) 的研究。此外, 还从虚拟现实(VR)和科技旅游的角度重新审视了SOR 理论。它提供了对发展中国家游客行为方面的一般了解。

Utilizando el modelo teórico estímulo-organismo-respuesta (SOR), esta investigación empírica examinó y validó cómo las interacciones de los turistas con los vídeos de RV de 360 grados que incorporan la navegabilidad web y la calidad del diseño de la interfaz visual (estímulo) en los sitios web de viajes pueden hacer que los turistas se sientan más comprometidos y luego satisfechos (organismo), lo que podría hacerles más propensos a visitar los destinos y a difundir el e-WOM (respuesta).

Utilizando el método de muestreo por conveniencia, se recogieron 975 respuestas a través de un cuestionario. Los datos se analizaron mediante el software Smart-PLS 4 para investigar las relaciones hipotetizadas.

Los resultados demuestran que los vídeos de RV de 360 grados generan un compromiso significativo de los usuarios de la web y que el compromiso de los usuarios de la web se asocia significativamente con su satisfacción. El resultado muestra que el compromiso y la satisfacción del usuario web repercuten en la intención de visitar el destino turístico. Además, la satisfacción del usuario web influye en el e-WOM. Por último, la navegabilidad y la calidad del diseño de la interfaz visual son significativamente moderadas entre los vídeos de RV de 360 grados y el compromiso del usuario web.

Esta investigación sólo examinó las intenciones de comportamiento de los turistas con los vídeos de RV de 360 grados durante la fase previa al viaje. En cambio, en futuras investigaciones se podría estudiar cómo se comportan los turistas con la RV durante las fases in situ y posterior al viaje.

Los profesionales del marketing turístico no sólo deberían adoptar la RV de 360 grados, sino también integrar la navegabilidad web y el diseño de la interfaz visual para potenciar el compromiso de los internautas en los sitios web turísticos.

Este estudio avanza en el estudio de la RV desde la perspectiva psicológica del turista. Además, se ha reexaminado la teoría S-O-R desde las perspectivas de la RV y el turismo tecnológico. Proporciona una comprensión general del aspecto conductual de los turistas en los países en desarrollo.

Based on sensory marketing theory and cognitive appraisal theory, this study investigates whether and how the background visual complexity of live-streaming affects consumers' purchase intention and reveals the underlying mechanisms through which background visual complexity influences consumers' purchase decisions.

The experiment was conducted with 180 college students, using eye-tracking technology to explore the impact mechanism of live background visual complexity on consumers' purchase intention, considering three types of background visual complexity (high vs medium vs low) and two levels of need for cognitive closure (high vs low).

Firstly, the background visual complexity of live-streaming positively influences consumers' purchase intention by eliciting positive emotions (pleasure and arousal), and the relationship between consumer emotions and purchase intention is nonlinear. Secondly, need for cognitive closure to significantly moderate the influence of background visual complexity on purchase intention.

The limited sample size makes it difficult to generalize to other consumer groups. Also, the study only focuses on one visual factor, lacking comprehensive analysis from multiple perspectives.

It is recommended that live e-commerce companies optimize the visual design of live-streaming backgrounds and identify consumer traits to match the visual complexity with consumers' level of need for cognitive closure, thereby stimulating positive emotions and facilitating more satisfactory shopping decisions.

This paper addresses an interesting and practical issue related to the effects of live background visual complexity on consumers' purchase intention.

This research analyses the searching, interacting and purchasing behavior of shoppers seeking semidurable and fast-moving consumer goods in an immersive virtual reality (VR) store, showing how physical examinations and visual inspections relate to purchases.

Around 60 participants completed two forced-purchase tasks using a head-mounted display with visual and motor-tracking systems. A second study using a pictorial display of the products complemented the VR study.

The findings indicate differences in shopping behavior for the two product categories, with semidurable goods requiring greater inspection and deliberation than fast-moving consumer goods. In addition, visual inspection of the shelf and products was greater than a physical examination through virtual handling for both product categories. The paper also presents relationships between visual inspections and product interactions during the searching stage of purchase decisions.

The research consists of two types of implicit measures in this study: eye-tracking and hand-product interactions. This study reveals the suitability of implicit measures for evaluating consumer behavior in VR stores.

This paper aims to critically review the intersection of searching and learning among children in the context of voice-based conversational agents (VCAs). This study presents the opportunities and challenges around reconfiguring current VCAs for children to facilitate human learning, generate diverse data to empower VCAs, and assess children’s learning from voice search interactions.

The scope of this paper includes children’s use of VCAs for learning purposes with an emphasis on conceptualizing their VCA use from search as learning perspectives. This study selects representative works from three areas of literature: children’s perceptions of digital devices, children’s learning and searching, and children’s search as learning. This study also includes conceptual papers and empirical studies focusing on children from 3 to 11 because this age spectrum covers a vital transitional phase in children’s ability to understand and use VCAs.

This study proposes the concept of child-centered voice search systems and provides design recommendations for imbuing contextual information, providing communication breakdown repair strategies, scaffolding information interactions, integrating emotional intelligence, and providing explicit feedback. This study presents future research directions for longitudinal and observational studies with more culturally diverse child participants.

This paper makes important contributions to the field of information and learning sciences and children’s searching as learning by proposing a new perspective where current VCAs are reconfigured as conversational voice search systems to enhance children’s learning.