Online health information consumers’ learning across health-related search tasks from the perspective of retrieval platform switching

Abstract

This study aims to investigate consumers’ modification of retrieval platform switch paths across health-related search tasks and learning characteristics via such a switch. Mixed research methods were used in this study. A lab user experiment was designed to obtain data on consumers’ health information search behaviour. Screen recordings and interview data were both coded and analysed. Research results show that health consumers acquired different kinds of health knowledge units from different retrieval platforms, and there are five change patterns of retrieval platform switch paths which reveal three types of learning. The results suggest that health consumers learn not only task-related knowledge but also retrieval skills during the switch of retrieval platforms. The research findings further develop the search as learning process research framework from the dimension of retrieval platform switch patterns and contribute to the enhancement of consumers’ health information retrieval abilities.