The effects of search engines and query operators on top ranked results

B. J. Jansen, C. M. Eastman

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We examine whether the use of query operators changes the documents retrieved by three popular Web search engines. One hundred queries containing query operators were selected from the transaction log of a major Web search service. The query operators were then removed from these one hundred advanced queries. Both the original and modified queries were submitted to three major Web search engines. A total of 600 queries were submitted, and 5748 of the documents retrieved were examined. Changes in the ranking of the top documents retrieved were examined. The significant results of our research are that the effectiveness of query operators is dependent on the specific search engine utilized, and that generally there is approximately 60% similarity between retrieved results across all search engines. Implications on the effectiveness of current searching techniques, for future search engine design, and of future research are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings - ITCC 2003, International Conference on Information Technology
Subtitle of host publicationComputers and Communications
EditorsPradip K. Srimani, Emma Regentova, Ray Hashemi, Elaine Lawrence, Mario Cannataro, Amanda Spink, Wolf Bein
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages135-139
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)0769519164, 9780769519166
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Conference on Information Technology: Computers and Communications, ITCC 2003 - Las Vegas, United States
Duration: 28 Apr 200330 Apr 2003

Publication series

NameProceedings ITCC 2003, International Conference on Information Technology: Computers and Communications

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Information Technology: Computers and Communications, ITCC 2003
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLas Vegas
Period28/04/0330/04/03

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