Purpose

This study explores the effects of cognitive load on the propensity to reformulate queries during information seeking on the web.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs an experimental design to analyze the effect of manipulations of cognitive load on the propensity for query reformulation between experimental and control groups. In total, three affective components that contribute to cognitive load were manipulated: mental demand, temporal demand and frustration.

Findings

A significant difference in the propensity of query reformulation behavior was found between searchers exposed to cognitive load manipulations and searchers who were not exposed. Those exposed to cognitive load manipulations made half as many search query reformulations as searchers not exposed. Furthermore, the National Aeronautical and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) cognitive load scores of searchers who were exposed to the three cognitive load manipulations were higher than those of searchers who were not exposed indicating that the manipulation was effective. Query reformulation behavior did not differ across task types.

Originality/value

The findings suggest that a dual-task method and NASA-TLX assessment serve as good indicators of cognitive load. Because the findings show that cognitive load hinders a searcher's interaction with information search tools, this study provides empirical support for reducing cognitive load when designing information systems or user interfaces.

中文翻译：

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认知负荷对查询重构的影响：心理需求、时间需求和挫折

目的

本研究探讨了认知负荷对在网络上搜索信息期间重新制定查询的倾向的影响。

设计/方法/方法

本研究采用实验设计来分析认知负荷的操作对实验组和对照组之间查询重新制定倾向的影响。总的来说，影响认知负荷的三个情感成分被操纵：心理需求、时间需求和挫折。

发现

在暴露于认知负荷操作的搜索者和没有暴露的搜索者之间发现查询重新制定行为的倾向存在显着差异。那些暴露于认知负荷操作的人进行的搜索查询重构是未暴露的搜索者的一半。此外，暴露于三种认知负荷操作的搜索者的美国国家航空航天局任务负荷指数 (NASA-TLX) 认知负荷分数高于未暴露的搜索者，表明该操作是有效的。不同任务类型的查询重构行为没有差异。

原创性/价值

研究结果表明，双任务方法和 NASA-TLX 评估可作为认知负荷的良好指标。由于研究结果表明认知负荷阻碍了搜索者与信息搜索工具的交互，因此本研究为在设计信息系统或用户界面时减少认知负荷提供了实证支持。