Uncovering unseen information in databases: A preliminary discovery of user search terms selection behaviour during pre-online searching

A study was conducted to gain a better understanding of how search terms were selected during pre-online information searching from academic databases in Malaysian public institutions of higher learning. An exploratory approach using the grounded theory was adopted to study users' search behaviour in natural setting environment. The preliminary study found that tasks during the pre-online information searching contribute towards the development of search terms. Three categories related to search terms development during pre-online information searching emerged during the analysis namely conceptualising, expressing and selecting. The scope of study focused on the pre-online information searching stage and further investigation on how search terms were formulated should be extended throughout the information searching process. The results of this study provide design implication as to how to develop personalised search interfaces where users could be assisted since the beginning of the information searching process which saw significant development of search terms. This study provides grounds into the ways in which users formulate initial search terms. It is hoped that the study could establish the importance of search terms selection during the pre-online information searching based on the Malaysian perspective. The research reported here suggests that users' exhaustiveness in formulating initial search terms during the pre-stage would contribute for a better search results.