On the role of user-centred evaluation in the advancement of interactive information retrieval

PETRELLI, Daniela (2008). On the role of user-centred evaluation in the advancement of interactive information retrieval. Information Processing & Management, 44 (1), p. 22.

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Abstract

This paper discusses the role of user-centred evaluations as an essential method for researching interactive information retrieval. It draws mainly on the work carried out during the Clarity Project where different user-centred evaluations were run during the lifecycle of a cross-language information retrieval system. The iterative testing was not only instrumental to the development of a usable system, but it enhanced our knowledge of the potential, impact, and actual use of cross-language information retrieval technology. Indeed the role of the user evaluation was dual: by testing a specific prototype it was possible to gain a micro-view and assess the effectiveness of each component of the complex system; by cumulating the result of all the evaluations (in total 43 people were involved) it was possible to build a macro-view of how cross-language retrieval would impact on users and their tasks. By showing the richness of results that can be acquired, this paper aims at stimulating researchers into considering user-centred evaluations as a flexible, adaptable and comprehensive technique for investigating non-traditional information access systems.

Item Type:	Article
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018:	Cultural Communication and Computing Research Institute > Art and Design Research Centre
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ipm.2007.01.024
Page Range:	p. 22
Depositing User:	Daniela Petrelli
Date Deposited:	05 Jan 2011 17:05
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2021 02:19
URI:	https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/2905

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