Exploratory Search and Beyond: A Study of Complex Search Scenarios within a Public Digital Library

ABSTRACT Complex search scenarios and exploratory search processes are understudied within the context of public digital library systems. While the literature indicates that exploratory search is effective when undertaking complex search scenarios, the primary focus has been on searching conducted by students, academics, or professionals. In this paper, our focus is on whether public library patrons use such approaches and whether they have developed other ways to pursue complex search scenarios. Using retrospective think‐aloud protocols, nine participants first pursued a complex search scenario of their choosing without intervention, and then narrated what they were thinking and doing while watching a recording of their search. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns within the data. Three themes were identified and examined in detail: exploratory search, planning, and pragmatism. The key finding is that while the exploratory search model matches some of the cognitive processes described by the participants, other processes were also employed. In particular, we identified both the metacognitive aspect of planning and the strategic decision‐making aspect of pragmatism. This work provides evidence of the need to expand the exploratory search model to include metacognitive and strategic decision‐making aspects.