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Searching, Finding, and the Searching, Finding, and the Information ProfessionalInformation Professional
Marydee OjalaMarydee Ojala
Editor, Editor, ONLINE: The Leading ONLINE: The Leading Magazine for Information ProfessionalsMagazine for Information Professionals
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 22
AgendaAgenda
• Searching
• Finding/Findability
• Search Techniques
• New Search Technologies
• Nontextual information
• The Future
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 33
SearchingSearching
• Information professionals enjoy the “thrill of the chase”
• They understand how information is structured and where it is likely to be
• They know the intricacies of search engines, often exchanging tips on what has suddenly stopped working (~synonym on Google)
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 44
SearchingSearching
• Information professionals sometimes forget when to stop
• They have problems with information overload: It makes them overlook things
• With more sources, more search engines, more searching possibilities, the process paradoxically takes longer
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 55
FindingFinding
• This is what clients want
• A quick answer, no clue about sources
• Find me the data
• Why can’t I put one word in a search box and find what I want
• Non-Boolean mindset
• That’s why they’re not info pros
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 66
FindingFinding
• Information professionals want to find answers as well
• They care about finding the correct, accurate, and timely answer
• They think about external sources before internal ones, which can be a mistake
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 77
FindabilityFindability
• The flip side of finding
• Webmasters wanting their sites to be found
• How a site is architected
• Optimization, for good or ill
• The race to show up at the top of Web search engine results
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 88
Premium Content FindabilityPremium Content Findability
• Expand to other markets (reputation monitoring, sales, back office management)
• Integrate with workflow
• New pricing models (pay per view)
• Become more intuitive, build search strategies behind the scenes
• Look more like Web search
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 99
Web FindabilityWeb Findability
• Search is pervasive
• Search is unstable
• Gaming the system
• Quality issues
• Education issues
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 1010
Search TechniquesSearch Techniques
• Traditional– Boolean– Pearl growing– Building blocks– Successive fractions
• Web– Squishy Boolean– Algorithms taking over
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 1111
Web Search TechnologiesWeb Search Technologies
• Personalization
• Optimization
• Semantic clustering
• Automatic indexing
• Metadata
• Different databases
• Invisible, hidden web
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 1212
PersonalizationPersonalization
• Web search engines know who you are and what you want
• Which is great for individuals
• But not so great for information professionals who want non-biased, non-personalized results
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 1313
OptimizationOptimization
• Web search optimizer (SEO) community
• White hat; black hat
• Information professionals can learn a lot from them
• A good reason to set preferences to 50 or 100 rather than be satisfied with first 10
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 1414
Semantic ClusteringSemantic Clustering
• Contextual search
• Words that are searched frequently retrieve related words
• Visible clustering– Clusty– Factiva
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 1515
Automatic IndexingAutomatic Indexing
• Trying to automate the indexing process
• Identify company name
• Context plays a role here as well
• Works best with human oversight
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 1616
MetadataMetadata
• Discredited as means to drive traffic to web site
• Highly useful in controlled environments
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 1717
Different DatabasesDifferent Databases
• Each search engine has a different database
• In premium search, is it a database producer or an aggregator
• How does this affect indexing
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 1818
Invisible, Hidden WebInvisible, Hidden Web
• Isn’t this rather quaint?
• Much more is no longer hidden– Formats– Older stuff
• Some, however, is purposefully gone
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 1919
Nontextual, Nontraditional Nontextual, Nontraditional InformationInformation
• Audio files
• Video clips
• Images
• Blogs
• Groups
• Second Life
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 2020
Searching NontextualSearching Nontextual
• An imprecise science, to say the least
• Precision/recall dubious
• Hum a few bars
• Describe your image
• You want a video with that?
• Viral marketing
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 2121
Displaying Nontextual InformationDisplaying Nontextual Information
• Search versus display
• Delisting of results
• Graphic depictions of results
• Grokker at EBSCO, Gale
• Tag clouds at Factiva
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 2525
Worst Case ScenarioWorst Case Scenario
• A controlled information environment
• High price doesn’t guarantee quality data
• Industry consolidation diminishes available information
• Consumerism and entertainment trump research
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 2626
Best Case ScenarioBest Case Scenario
• Intuitive interfaces
• No licensing wars
• Information is accessible, available
• Producers are profitable
• Searchers are satisfied
• Searching and finding coalesce
Computers in Libraries, 2007Computers in Libraries, 2007 2727
Contact InformationContact Information
• Marydee Ojala
• Editor, ONLINE: The Leading Magazine for Information Professionals
• www.onlinemag.net