Exploration of the Relative Contributions of Domain Knowledge and Search Expertise for Conducting Internet Searches. Issue 3 (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wood, Eileen; De Pasquale, Domenica; Mueller, Julie Lynn; Archer, Karin; Zivcakova, Lucia; Walkey, Kathleen; Willoughby, Teena
• Is Part Of: Reference librarian. Volume 57:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 182
• Page End: 204
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: Internet search -- search strategies -- expert search skills -- finding information; Reference services (Libraries) -- Periodicals; Library administration -- Periodicals; 025.5205
• DOI: 10.1080/02763877.2015.1122559
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0276-3877

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The relative contributions of expertise in search skills and domain knowledge were examined when using the Internet to find information. Four conditions were compared: expert searchers/high domain knowledge; expert searchers/low domain knowledge; novice searchers/high domain knowledge; and novice searchers/low domain knowledge. Search outcomes and verbal protocols were analyzed. The combination of search expertise and high domain knowledge yielded the most efficient searches. Higher search expertise yielded access to sites rated more accurate and credible. High domain knowledge yielded sites rated more thorough. Verbal protocols depicted searching as a complex decision process. Findings have implications for instructional support.