A study of user behavior in an immersive virtual environment for digital libraries

ABSTRACT

In this paper we present a 2x3 factorial design study evaluating the limits and differences on the behavior of 10 users when searching in a virtual reality representation that mimics the arrangement of a traditional library. The focus of this study was the effect of clustering techniques and query highlighting on search strategy users develop in the virtual environment, and whether position or spatial arrangement influenced user behavior. We found several particularities that can be attributed to the differences in the VR environment.This study's results identify: 1) the need of co-designing both spatial arrangement and interaction method; 2) adifficulty novice users faced when using clusters to identify commontopics; 3) the influence of position and distance on users' selection of collection items to inspect; and 4) that users did not search until found the best match, but only until they found a satisfactory match.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.3 Information Search and Retrieval
          Subjects: Search process
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.1 Multimedia Information Systems
          Subjects: Artificial, augmented, and virtual realities

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.3 COMPUTER GRAPHICS
      I.3.7 Three-Dimensional Graphics and Realism
          Subjects: Virtual reality
  I.5 PATTERN RECOGNITION

General Terms:
Design, Documentation, Human Factors, Management, Measurement, Performance, Theory

Keywords:
clustering, interaction design, query coloring, virtual environments