Search Behavior Patterns Written By John Ferrara

In the first article “Search Behavior Patterns” wrote by John Ferrara in 2008. The authors have discussed in his article regarding the user’s search behavior pattern of searching the information using search engine of organization website or the intranet. The author stated that search engine is used in order to narrow down the users search like in user types in search, search engine gives back matching results, and users read the best results and pick the best one. From author point of view, he clarify that humans is complex, convoluted, capricious, mutable, moody, multifaceted beings with broadly differing backgrounds, competencies, and frames of reference. From all of that can make the requirements for designing the search interfaces of the search tools quite a bit more complicated. The user’s behavior has limited number of identified patterns. To determine the patterns is by examining the factors that cause variability in user behavior and considering the personas that illustrate the
The users will already know and understand what the subject that wanted to be search, use less precise language, and have more difficulty evaluating search results. This is reflected to the users that are expert in the subject field in order for them to get the information they need. Next is the user’s experience can affect the user’s searching because they have more experience the more accurate their searching will be.
The third factor is the cognitive style of the user. This is where the users thinking and view on certain information to help them think more analytically to search the more effective and accurate information needed. Next factor is the goal type of users searching. The user’s goals can be divided into three categories of search. The goals types of user search are navigational search, transactional search, and informational