Information Engagement

Information engagement (IE) research focuses on understanding how people interact with and utilize information, aiming to optimize this interaction for improved cognitive, behavioral, and affective outcomes. Current research emphasizes the role of textual features, leveraging computational linguistics and natural language processing to develop predictive models like the READ model (Representativeness, Ease-of-use, Affect, and Distribution) that assess and enhance engagement. These models are being applied to various digital platforms, including search engines which are evolving from traditional "10 blue links" to incorporate AI-powered chat interfaces, creating "panmodal" experiences that integrate multiple interaction modalities. The ultimate goal is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of information consumption across diverse fields like education, healthcare, and media.