Theory-Based User Search Behaviour Modelling and Understanding through Search Log Analysis

Many user behaviour models have been developed with the motivation of getting a better understanding of user behaviour and developing more personalised search services. For example, The ISE Model (Information Goal, Search Strategy, Evaluation Threshold) that was guided by the Information Foraging Theory (IFT), has shown its effectiveness in modelling users based on a small dataset. However, the effectiveness of the ISE model has not been validated in a large dataset. This study, therefore, aims to validate the effectiveness of the ISE model using a larger dataset. Further, based on the findings from further validating the ISE model, a new simplified model called Integrated User Behaviour Analysis Model (IUBAM) is proposed, which shows a new way of categorising users into Depth-Oriented, Breadth-Oriented or Mixed DB search behaviour types. The proposed IUBAM model provide an easier grouping for user behaviour analysis and understanding.