A Human Factors Experiment With Students’ Google Searching

Abstract

This paper reports on a human factors experiment with students’ Google searching. Two different student groups (novice and experienced) volunteered in this study. They carried out five search tasks and their performance was recorded through a computer screen recording application. Data was captured on the time taken, error rates and success score. After completion of search tasks, they all completed a questionnaire on their satisfaction with Google. The performance data showed that overall experienced students performed better. Differences were significant across all performance measures between groups. Students held neither highly positive nor highly negative perceptions about Google. Experienced students were significantly more satisfied with Google than the naive group. The findings could be used to redesign the present Google search engine.