User goal-based approach to information search and structure on Web site

As communication shifts from print to digital media, the array of information and the user's ability to selectively interact with it changes structurally. While information found on web-based media increasingly becomes overwhelming, much is redundant or irrelevant leading to users' struggle and frustration. When visiting a web site, each user has a specific goal that relates to a pattern of needs, expectations, and search behaviors. They also approach with different modes of searching based on varied knowledge, experience and search sophistication. This leads to difference in information-seeking strategies and searching behaviors. Since information on web sites is traditionally structured and presented based on web sites' goals and contents, it may or may not match with user goals or search behaviors.; The research presented takes a position on a user-centered approach to improve information design on web-based media by study of cognitive factors including user goals and modes of searching, to identify the corresponding impact of these factors on their needs and behaviors in relation to web site design. By conducting qualitative research on user study in relation to search needs and behaviors on web sites as well as employing various analytical methods to uncover patterns within the data, the study yields valuable findings that are further synthesized to develop frameworks and classifications. At the general level, the results are reflected in explanatory frameworks illustrating how various factors from both user and web site attribute positions may simultaneously yet uniquely effect search behaviors and information needs. At the detail level, the results are reflected in various classifications of user factors. This research also provides analytical frameworks to analyze information design and information searchability on web sites, which may be used as analysis tools to evaluate the appropriateness or usefulness of information design and search tools.; By taking a user-based qualitative approach, this research opens the door to a careful consideration of actual user need and behavior in relation to information-seeking tasks on web-based media. It brings together the collective developments in web design knowledge, continuously expanding web technology, with user-centered approaches to accommodate increasing demand, and improve user experience and satisfaction.