Effects of topic progression in interactive video retrieval experimentation

Introduction. Understanding the effects from continued video search sessions on certain experimental factors and variables is needed. The present study assessed the variations between users’ interactions, performances (i.e., topic completion) and perceptions (i.e., satisfaction) as topics progressed throughout individual search experiments. Method. Interactive search experiments were performed; twenty-eight unique users completed six equally distributed and pre-structured search topics. Actions, errors, durations and topic completions were recorded, and users completed a post-search survey after each topic providing satisfaction data on numerous experimental factors. Analysis. Quantitative results were computed including descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVAs to examine variations. Results. Users’ actions varied significantly at certain points in the search experiments, particularly with respect to use of browse and navigation features. Also, the last two topics in the search experiments demonstrated higher levels of topic completion and significantly higher levels of user satisfaction across multiple measures as assessed on the post-search survey. Conclusion. Significant effects were observed according to topic placement or progression in the interactive search experiments. The findings should inform future experimental studies that strive to employ users with different levels of system and interface exposure which can potentially inform how to counterbalance situational effects in interactive video retrieval processes.