Neural correlates of satisfaction of an information need

Paisalnan, S., Pollick, F. and Moshfeghi, Y. (2023) Neural correlates of satisfaction of an information need. In: Nicosia, G., Ojha, V., La Malfa, E., La Malfa, G., Pardalos, P., Di Fatta, G., Giuffrida, G. and Umeton, R. (eds.) Machine Learning, Optimization, and Data Science: 8th International Conference, LOD 2022, Certosa di Pontignano, Italy, September 18–22, 2022, Revised Selected Papers, Part II. Series: Lecture notes in computer science (13811). Springer: Cham, pp. 443-457. ISBN 9783031258909 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-25891-6_34)

Abstract

Knowing when a searcher’s information needs (IN) are satisfied is one of the ultimate goals in information retrieval. However, the psycho-physiological manifestation of the phenomenon remains unclear. In this study, we investigate brain manifestations of the moment when an IN is satisfied compared to when an IN is not satisfied. To achieve this, we used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity during an experimental task. The task was purposefully designed to simulate the information-seeking process and suit the fMRI experimental procedure. Twenty-nine participants engaged in an experimental task designed to represent a search process while being scanned. Our results indicated that both affective and cognitive processes are involved when an information need was being satisfied. These results are in distinction to when satisfaction was not obtained. These results provide insight into features of brain activity that can ultimately be developed to detect satisfaction in search systems with more portable brain imaging devices.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Pollick, Professor Frank and Paisalnan, Sakrapee and Moshfeghi, Dr Yashar
• Authors: Paisalnan, S., Pollick, F., and Moshfeghi, Y.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience; College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
• Publisher: Springer
• ISBN: 9783031258909
• Published Online: 10 March 2023