The choice of initial web search strategies: A comparison between Finnish and American searchers

This paper uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodology to analys e differences between Finnish and American web searchers (n=27 per country) in their choice of initial search strategies (direct address, subject dire ctory and search engines) and their reasoning underlying these choices, wit h data gathered via a questionnaire. The paper looks at these differences f or four types of questions with two variables: closed/open and predictable/ unpredictable source of answer (n=16 questions per searcher; total n=864 qu estions). The paper found significant differences between the two groups' i nitial search strategies and for three of the four types of questions. The reasoning varied across countries and questions as well, with Finns mention ing fewer reasons although both groups mentioned in aggregate ii total of 1 ,284 reasons in twenty-four reason categories. The reasoning indicated that both country groups considered not only question-related reasons but also source- and search-strategy-related reasons in malting their decision. The research raises questions about considering cultural differences in designi ng web search access mechanisms.