Exploratory Search

Exploratory search is a specialization of information exploration which represents the activities carried out by searchers who are either:

• a) unfamiliar with the domain of their goal (i.e. need to learn about the topic in order to understand how to achieve their goal)
• b) unsure about the ways to achieve their goals (either the technology or the process)
• c) or even unsure about their goals in the first place.

Consequently, exploratory search covers a broader class of activities than typical information retrieval, such as investigating, evaluating, comparing, and synthesizing, where new information is sought in a defined conceptual area; exploratory data analysis is another example of an information exploration activity. Typically, therefore, such users generally combine querying and browsing strategies to foster learning and investigation.