Modelling User-Centered Attributes: The Web Search Engine as a Case

This paper modeled user-centered attributes with which First and Second-order Measurement Models (FSoMM) were proposed using factor analysis in a quantitative evaluative procedure. There was need to relate users needs as requirements for Web Search Engines (WeSEs) in a dynamic context. This informed the motivation for formulating the FSoMM to possess baseline properties with reasonable validity and reliability. This was achieved by considering how users "seek out and use" information as useful characteristics that can suffice as users' attributes. This is because of the belief in this paper that factors modelled from users' attributes encapsulate users' needs. With the qualitative evaluative approach these factors were translated into users' requirements for WeSEs' development. Results obtained showed that both models demonstrated reasonable model fit. Therefore, users' requirements can be communicated with measurement models. As illustrated in this paper, both the qualitative and quantitative evaluative approach remain an invaluable resource in this respect. We therefore infer that WeSEs' success in the delivery of assistance to users, particularly in a dynamic context must be based, not only on the progress of technology, but also on users' requirements.