School of Knowledge and Information Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
ORCID: 0000-0003-4808-6715
mahsatorabi515@gmail.com
Abstract
Introduction. Notwithstanding the growing interest in employing electroencephalography (EEG) for web search research, studies presently being conducted continue to grapple with significant issues, namely, small sample sizes, variability in methodology, and limited generalisability. This systematic review seeks to address these particular issues by describing how EEG has been used in this field of research, addressing sample sizes, active authors, methodologies, and limitations.
Method. This systematic review employs the PRISMA framework to analyse the application of EEG in web search studies, focusing on sample sizes, methodologies, and challenges faced by researchers. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple academic databases to identify relevant studies.
Results. Findings indicate that typical sample sizes in EEG studies range from 10 to 24 participants, largely due to resource constraints. Researchers encounter challenges such as biological artefacts affecting data quality, the complexity of emotional and cognitive states, and limitations in generalisability due to small sample sizes. Additionally, issues related to equipment quality and methodological consistency further complicate EEG research in this domain.
Conclusions. The application of EEG in web search research holds significant potential for enhancing our understanding of user interactions with search engines. However, addressing the identified challenges is crucial for improving the robustness and applicability of findings. Future studies should focus on refining methodologies and exploring innovative approaches to overcome existing limitations in EEG research related to web searches.
Keywords
Electroencephalography (EEG); Web Search; Systematic Review; Information Behaviour
