Information Search Strategies in Loosely Structured Settings

Abstract

This study was designed to reveal search strategies in a loosely structured information environment and to examine cognitive and motivational correlates of particular search strategies. Subjects browsed freely through a hyper-card program containing 105 topics on the Vietnam war. Search strategies were evaluated on a continuum ranging from random search to planned, investigative searches. The findings show search strategies to be significantly related to cognitive complexity, academic ability, and need for cognition. More investigative search strategies were also associated with more complex summaries of the information viewed. The search strategies observed are consistent with other studies of search behavior and learning orientations, and tend to validate the role of ability, cognitive complexity and need for cognition as predisposing variables influencing behavior in loosely structured information settings.

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