Understanding Online Health Information Consumers' Search As A Learning Process Search Platform Sequences, Query Reformulation And Conceptual Changes

Purpose This study considers online searching by health information consumers as a learning process. We focus on search sequences, query reformulation, and conceptual changes. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative user study (30 participants; three health information seeking tasks) investigated mobile searching behavior. Recorded screen activity, questionnaires, and in-depth personal interview data were collected and analyzed. Findings (1) Search platform sequences of health information consumers in search as a learning process were exacted and their features were highlighted. (2) Query sequence and reformulation pattern of health information consumers were exacted and discussed. (3) The types and degree of conceptual changes of health consumers were reflected by their query reformulation behavior and differ from different health information search tasks. (4) Characteristics of health consumers' search as learning process were revealed. Practical Implications The findings of this study can lead to the fit-to-needs of the search platforms, provide advice for information architecture of search list of search platforms, and guide the design of knowledge graph of health information systems. Originality/value Potential relationships between information-seeking behavior and conceptual changes in search as a learning process relative to health information were revealed.