Users’ Image Seeking Behaviour in Multilingual Environments: experience in combining qualitative and quantitative data

Abstract

The volume of information available on the Web in various languages and the growing number of the non-English native speaking users generate a need for developing and providing Cross Language Information Retrieval (CLIR) systems. The efficient development of such systems depends greatly on gaining a better insight into users' interactions and search behaviours in multilingual environments. In this context, the decision about which method/s to employ is considered essential. This study reports on the reasons why a mixed methods research was adopted; the decision for implementing questionnaire, observation, retrospective thinking aloud and interviews; the way in which they were combined and the values and limitations posed by such an implementation.