Interfaces for End-User Information Seeking

Essential features of interfaces to support end-user information seeking are discussed and illustrated. Ex-amples of interfaces to support the following basic information-seeking functions are presented: problem definition, source selection, problem articulation, exami-nation of results, and information extraction. It is argued that present interfaces focus on problem articulation and examination of results functions, and research and development are needed to support the problem defini-tion and information extraction functions. General rec-ommendations for research on interfaces to support end-user information seeking include: attention to multi-media information sources, development of interfaces that integrate information-seeking functions, support for collaborative information seeking, use of multipl