Visualizing Keyword Co-occurrence from Two Queries to Aid Exploratory Search

Abstract

This study presents a method of keyword co-occurrences network visualization comparing two separate queries of a commercial database as a visual aid to mitigate an information seeker’s uncertainty during the exploratory search process. The visualization compares keyword co- occurrence between two database queries illustrating how search terms have keyword exclusions that are unique to each and may inform the user of work might be missed or what might refine future searches. Results suggest that while some keywords are co-occurring and linked, there are exclusive keywords that may impact an information seeker’s desired topic and may provide valuable information to support decision making in their exploratory search process. Interpretation of results using a design perspective suggests this visualization would present more benefits to the information seeker as an interactive visualization than a static one. The outcomes of this study may be implemented by an academic librarian with beginner level Python programming experience.