From our analysis of the conditions which lead to the IR situation, we conclude that IR is most properly considered as a form of information-seeking behavior, in which the user's interaction with text is the central phenomenon, to which the IR system must respond, and which the IR system must support. The explict consequences of this view are that: the goal of the IR system is to support the user in her/his entire range of information-seeking behaviors; the user must be considered the central component of the IR system; and, interaction (both user's interaction with texts, and other interactions which support it) is the central process of IR. From this follows, that the role of the representation and comparison processes in IR are in support of interaction, and, that control of the IR interaction must be mixed between the participants.
Although we do not present a model of IR based on these conclusions, we have shown, by way of example, how various aspects of their consequences can be applied to IR models, and especially, to the design of IR systems. Taken together, the various approaches to the different problems raised by this view of IR do suggest a general strategy for IR system design which might eventually evolve into a more formal model. This strategy begins by considering the IR system as an explicitly interactive system, among the user, the textual resources, and a mediating mechanism. The structure of this interaction is dialogue based, with mixed initiative. Each participant in the system has explict roles and responsibilities. The mediating mechanism and textual resource provide suppport for the user to engage in several information-seeking behaviors, with movement among the behaviors available both on user instigation and system guidance. The results of the user's interaction with the texts can be used directly by the person for modifying the interaction, and by the mediating mechanism, to provide suggestions for guiding the interaction. The texts of the system are available for direct engagement by the user, and direct manipulation by the user, as well as for comparison processes engaged in by the mediating mechanism.
In general, this strategy aims to empower the user in the information-seeking interaction, by establishing the user's goals and interactions with text as primary, and the rest of the IR system components as supportive of them. We hope that IR systems designed on these principles would be systems which would be not only effective, but also pleasurable, in helping people to interact with text.