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Differences between novice and experienced users in searching information on the World Wide Web

Author

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  • Ard W. Lazonder
  • Harm J.A. Biemans
  • Iwan G.J.H. Wopereis

Abstract

Searching for information on the World Wide Web (WWW) basically comes down to locating an appropriate Web site and to retrieving relevant information from that site. This study examined the effect of a user's WWW experience on both phases of the search process. Twenty‐five students from two schools for Dutch pre‐university education were observed while performing three search tasks. The results indicate that subjects with WWW‐experience are more proficient in locating Web sites than are novice WWW‐users. The observed differences were ascribed to the experts' superior skills in operating Web search engines. However, on tasks that required subjects to locate information on specific Web sites, the performance of experienced and novice users was equivalent—a result that is in line with hypertext research. Based on these findings, implications for training and supporting students in searching for information on the WWW are identified. Finally, the role of the subjects' level of domain expertise is discussed and directions for future research are proposed.

Suggested Citation

  • Ard W. Lazonder & Harm J.A. Biemans & Iwan G.J.H. Wopereis, 2000. "Differences between novice and experienced users in searching information on the World Wide Web," Journal of the American Society for Information Science, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 51(6), pages 576-581.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jamest:v:51:y:2000:i:6:p:576-581
    DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-4571(2000)51:63.0.CO;2-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Raffaella Nori & Massimiliano Palmiero & Fiorella Giusberti & Elisa Gambetti & Laura Piccardi, 2020. "Web searching and navigation: Age, intelligence, and familiarity," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 71(8), pages 902-915, August.
    2. Ho, Chaang-Iuan & Lin, Meng-Hui & Chen, Hui-Mei, 2012. "Web users’ behavioural patterns of tourism information search: From online to offline," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 1468-1482.
    3. Aurora González-Teruel & Gregorio González-Alcaide & Maite Barrios & María-Francisca Abad-García, 2015. "Mapping recent information behavior research: an analysis of co-authorship and co-citation networks," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 103(2), pages 687-705, May.
    4. Chen, Sherry Y. & Macredie, Robert, 2010. "Web-based interaction: A review of three important human factors," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 30(5), pages 379-387.
    5. Azzah Al‐Maskari & Mark Sanderson, 2010. "A review of factors influencing user satisfaction in information retrieval," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 61(5), pages 859-868, May.
    6. Jeffrey Roberts & David Wasieleski, 2012. "Moral Reasoning in Computer-Based Task Environments: Exploring the Interplay between Cognitive and Technological Factors on Individuals’ Propensity to Break Rules," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 110(3), pages 355-376, October.
    7. Hou, Jianwei & Elliott, Kevin, 2014. "How do online bidders differ from non-bidders?," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 18-25.

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