mmu | cerlim

A Library & Information Commission Funded Project

DEvISE: Dimensions in Evaluation of Internet Search Engines

A Library & Information Commission Funded Project

Internet Search Engines (ISEs) have proliferated with the growth of the Internet itself. A range of information retrieval technologies are currently employed by ISEs and suggestions are still being made for the next generation of ISEs. In addition, there has been a notable shift towards the introduction of search features which meet the expectations and information search behaviour of users. Techniques such as relevance feedback can no longer be considered too esoteric for the end user: systems developers no longer rely on the assumption that a skilled intermediary will conduct searches for the end user and work with the system to optimise its performance. Systems must be designed with the assumption that there will be direct end user access. Furthermore, the task which the end user is undertaking directly influences the use and usefulness of such features.

The overall objective of the Project is to develop a framework for the evaluation of ISE based on a multi-disciplinary approach with a strong emphasis on user-centred perspectives. This will provide contextual characterisation for the comparative evaluation of ISE features

Key objectives of the Project are:

• to develop a framework for the evaluation of ISEs
• to identify a toolkit of user-centred evaluative techniques
• to publish a report on ISE performance
• to report on the findings of the Project

DEVISE is a 12 month project funded by the Library and Information Commission.

For further information about DEvISE, please contact:

Jillian Griffiths, Research Fellow
j.r.griffiths@mmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 247 6142

or

Dr. Frances Johnson, Project Leader
f.johnson@mmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 247 6156

Centre for Research in Library and Information Management (CERLIM)
The Manchester Metropolitan University
Department of Information and Communications
Geoffrey Manton Building
Rosamond Street West
Off Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6LL

Tel: 0161 247 6142
Fax: 0161 247 6979

This report is available from the British Library Thesis Service.