RESEARCH PAPERS

An Experimental Study on Users’ Cognitive Characteristics in AIGC Multi-Modal Information Search

  • Cui Xu ,
  • Wang Zihan ,
  • Tang Jiping ,
  • Ren Xuning ,
  • Gao Pan ,
  • Quan Jiale
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  • School of Public Management, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127
Cui Xu, Professor, Doctoral Supervisor; Wang Zihan, Master’s Candidate, Corresponding Author, E-mail: wangzihan_nwu@163.com; Tang Jiping, Master’s Candidate; Ren Xuning, Master’s Candidate; Gao Pan, Master’s Candidate; Quan Jiale, Master’s Candidate.

Received date: 2025-04-01

  Revised date: 2025-08-20

  Online published: 2026-06-09

Supported by

This work is supported by the National Social Science Fund of China Project titled “Research on the Evolution Mechanism of Users’ Multimodal Information Search Cognitive Structure in the Field of Artificial Intelligence Generated Content” (Grant No. 24BTQ051).

Abstract

[Purpose/Significance] This study explores the cognitive characteristics of users in AIGC multi-modal information search, aiming to provide references for optimizing AIGC multi-modal search tools and enhancing users’ search capabilities. [Method/Process] Based on the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy, this study collected data through experimental methods. Empirical analyses were conducted using two-way analysis of variance, one-way analysis of variance, paired-samples t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression. Focusing on user cognition in the process of multi-modal information search under the AIGC context, the study proceeded along two lines of inquiry.First, it examined the effects of perceived task difficulty, task type, task context, and familiarity on cognition. Second, it investigated the influence of cognition on multi-modal search behavior and outcome satisfaction. Drawing on cognitive psychology theories, the study further analyzed the underlying generative mechanisms and constructed a cognitive process model linking multimodal information stimuli to outcome satisfaction. [Results/Conclusion] First, the perceived difficulty of image tasks is lower than that of video and music tasks. In image search tasks, the cognitive dimensions of remembering, applying, and analyzing are significantly higher than those in video and music tasks. Task context has no significant effect on cognition, while familiarity with image and music tasks is positively correlated with users’ cognition. Second, applying and evaluating positively affect the number of searches, while creating is more associated with long-term search behavior. In addition, understanding, applying, and analyzing positively affect outcome satisfaction.

Cite this article

Cui Xu , Wang Zihan , Tang Jiping , Ren Xuning , Gao Pan , Quan Jiale . An Experimental Study on Users’ Cognitive Characteristics in AIGC Multi-Modal Information Search[J]. Library and Information Service, 2026 , 70(12) : 28 -42 . DOI: 10.13266/j.issn.0252-3116.2026.12.003

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