Title: Analysis of semantic search within the domains of uncertainty: using Keyword Effectiveness Indexing as an evaluation tool

Authors: Daniel Lorence, Joanna Abraham

Addresses: Department of Health Policy and Administration and The School of Information Science and Technology, 114 Henderson HHD, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ' School of Information Science and Technology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA

Abstract: Medical and health-related searches pose a special case of risk when using the web as an information resource. Uninsured consumers, lacking access to a trained provider, will often rely on information from the internet for self-diagnosis and treatment. In areas where treatments are uncertain or controversial, most consumers lack the knowledge to make an informed decision. This exploratory technology assessment examines the use of Keyword Effectiveness Indexing (KEI) analysis as a potential tool for profiling information search and keyword retrieval patterns. Results demonstrate that the KEI methodology can be useful in identifying e-health search patterns, but is limited by semantic or text-based web environments.

Keywords: technology assessment; technology transfer; keyword effectiveness indexing; KEI; uncertainty; e-health; electronic healthcare; e-healthcare; information retrieval; medical searches; health related searches; medical information; health information; information searching; keyword retrieval patterns; search patterns; semantic search.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEH.2006.009273

International Journal of Electronic Healthcare, 2006 Vol.2 No.3, pp.263 - 276

Published online: 15 Mar 2006 *

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