Designing Search (part 4): Displaying results
Tony Russell-Rose writes:
In an earlier post we reviewed the various ways in which an information need may be articulated, focusing on its expression via some form of query. In this post we consider ways in which the response can be articulated, focusing on its expression as a set of search results. Together, these two elements lie at the heart of the search experience, defining and shaping much of the information seeking dialogue. We begin therefore by examining the most universal of elements within that response: the search result.
As usual, Tony does a great job of illustrating your choices and trade-offs in presentation of search results. Highly recommended.
I am curious since Tony refers to it as an “information seeking dialogue,” has anyone mapped reference interview approaches to search interfaces? I suspect that is just my ignorance of the literature on that subject so would appreciate any pointers you can throw my way.
I would update Tony’s bibliography:
Marti Hearst (2009) Search User Interfaces. Cambridge University Press
Online as full text: http://searchuserinterfaces.com/