RIRE Questionnaire

What is this questionnaire?
This is a qualitative real information retrieval episode survey. Its intent is to capture something of the cognitive processes involved in searching for, and retrieving, information from the World-wide Web

For the purposes of this questionnaire, a "retrieval episode" (also referred to as a "session") is determined to be a purposeful action on the part of a user, to engage a web-based search tool/engine in order to search for pre-determined information.

The strategies involved may be highly specific or general, or may evolve into new or refined searches as the episode/session progresses.

The episode ends when the user makes a conscious (or forced) decision to stop the searching process.... either because the user;

(1)	has found information close-enough to the purpose of the search, and stops searching;
(2)	has found other information ~ that may have become the focus of the search during the search, and stops searching;
(3)	determines they have found all they are going to find, and stops searching;
(4)	stops interacting with the search process long enough to be unable to simply continue where they left from when they return.

Examples:

	Moving away from you PC (e.g.; grabbing a cup of coffee or answering the phone) and returning to continue your session constitutes ONE episode/session, provided you left your browser window(s) or tab(s) open ~ allowing you to continue where you left off.
	A power-cut or screen-dump/freeze constitutes the END of search session, as to “continue” your search would involve you considering your retrieval task from “a beginning point”.

The Real Information Retrieval Episode Survey

User Task:
Your task is to complete a *Real Information Retrieval Episode* questionnaire the next time you engage a Web-based search tool in order to find real information on the World-wide Web

Important: Do not "invent" a contrived search session in order to complete this form. The most useful results will be if you complete the form as you engage a REAL information retrieval episode.

In order to obtain the most meaningful results, you are asked to complete the form on at least three separate occasions. This is because the cognitive processes associated with information retrieval are not only specific to each person, they may also prove to be relatively task-specific. NOTE: If you can spare the time, or find the exercise helpful in clarifying your own IR process to yourself, then completing the form five times would be the ideal.

Some Helpful Advice:

	Keep the browser window containing the questionnaire open, and answer the questions as you go through your real information retrieval episode.
	If it is easier for you, print the form and fill it in physically as you go. Then simply copy your answers into the electronic form and "submit".
	Sometimes glitches occur and you can lose the content you have already placed inside a web form. If you are concerned about this happening, then you should complete version 2 of this form, which breaks the whole form down into separate sections of questions onto separate pages, which are automatically saved and sent as you move onto the next section of questions. There are three sections all together.

Directions:

(1)

Answer each question as you interpret it, in the context of THIS information retrieval episode.

If you feel a question is unclear, or you feel you need to explain your answer, then you can address this as part of your answer, or use the "comment" field/box ( ) provided on the right hand side of most of the questions

(2)

There are no "correct" or "incorrect" responses, just your own perceptions, judgments & retrieval strategies

(3)

An example of a filled in questionnaire is provided (PDF) with examples of a variety of answers

(4)

The questionnaire is likely to add 10 to 15 minutes to your information retrieval episode depending on how much detail you provide in your answers.

You are now ready to begin!!

1.	Click on one of the survey buttons below to open a blank Real IR Episode form. [note: survey questions are exactly the same]
2.	Select the version that best suits your needs, or most comfortable with
3.	Fill in the form as you go through a real information retrieval episode


`Standard Version (see example PDF). All on one page`	`for users who have already submitted at least one questionnaire (has fewer help-notes)`