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A Structural Equation Model of Information Retrieval Skills

Published: 07 March 2017 Publication History

Abstract

Identifying factors that influence information retrieval skills can help us to understand search behavior and show what skills are required to conduct efficient and accurate searches. This paper describes a study in which relationship factors that influence the information retrieval skills of a cohort of 1,551 Japanese Internet users are investigated using a combination of survey methods, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Our factor analysis confirms the importance of three sub-skill groups that are similar to sub-skill groups that have been previously reported (i.e., formal Internet skills, operational skills, and assessment skills) and indicates the importance of a fourth group (which we call "search strategy skills"). Our structural equation model incorporates two novel factors that have not previously been studied in this context: critical thinking ability, and self-efficacy for the Internet and information retrieval. The results show that critical thinking ability and self-efficacy positively influence the information retrieval skill level, and age is found to be a negative influence. Contrary to previously reported results, little independent effect is seen from educational attainment.

References

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Helsper, E.J., and Eynon, R. 2013. Distinct skill pathways to digital engagement. European Journal of Communication, 28, 6, 696--713.
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Hirayama, R., and Kusumi, T. 2004. Effect of critical thinking disposition on interpretation of controversial issues: Evaluating evidences and drawing conclusions. Japanese Journal of Educational Psychology, 52, 186--198 (in Japanese).
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Hu, L. and Bentler, P. M. 1999. Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling. 6, 1--55.
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Minami, Y., Iwase, A., Miyata, Y., Ishita, E., Ueda, S., and Kurata, K. 2016. Information retrieval skills in Web environment. Journal of Japan Society of Library and Information Science. 62, 3, 163--180 (in Japanese).
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Cited By

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  • (2019)The effects of perceived chronic pressure and time constraint on information search behaviors and experienceInformation Processing and Management: an International Journal10.1016/j.ipm.2019.04.00456:5(1667-1679)Online publication date: 1-Sep-2019
  • (2019)Evaluation of information retrieval systems using structural equation modelingComputer Science Review10.1016/j.cosrev.2018.10.00131:C(1-18)Online publication date: 1-Feb-2019
  • (2018)The Broad View of Task Type Using Path AnalysisProceedings of the 2018 ACM SIGIR International Conference on Theory of Information Retrieval10.1145/3234944.3234951(131-138)Online publication date: 10-Sep-2018

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  1. A Structural Equation Model of Information Retrieval Skills

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      cover image ACM Conferences
      CHIIR '17: Proceedings of the 2017 Conference on Conference Human Information Interaction and Retrieval
      March 2017
      454 pages
      ISBN:9781450346771
      DOI:10.1145/3020165
      • Conference Chairs:
      • Ragnar Nordlie,
      • Nils Pharo,
      • Program Chairs:
      • Luanne Freund,
      • Birger Larsen,
      • Dan Russel
      Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than ACM must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from [email protected]

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      Published: 07 March 2017

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      Author Tags

      1. critical thinking ability
      2. information retrieval skills
      3. self-efficacy for the internet and information retrieval
      4. structural equation model.

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      CHIIR '17 Paper Acceptance Rate 10 of 48 submissions, 21%;
      Overall Acceptance Rate 55 of 163 submissions, 34%

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      Cited By

      View all
      • (2019)The effects of perceived chronic pressure and time constraint on information search behaviors and experienceInformation Processing and Management: an International Journal10.1016/j.ipm.2019.04.00456:5(1667-1679)Online publication date: 1-Sep-2019
      • (2019)Evaluation of information retrieval systems using structural equation modelingComputer Science Review10.1016/j.cosrev.2018.10.00131:C(1-18)Online publication date: 1-Feb-2019
      • (2018)The Broad View of Task Type Using Path AnalysisProceedings of the 2018 ACM SIGIR International Conference on Theory of Information Retrieval10.1145/3234944.3234951(131-138)Online publication date: 10-Sep-2018

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