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Introduction: The initial step towards promoting student use of domestic search engines lies in fostering education and awareness. However, to cultivate a loyal user base, further measures are necessary. One critical strategy involves the continual evaluation of these search engines, based on user experiences, case studies, and user feedback. This evaluation process encompasses assessments of both efficiency and quality. Conducting qualitative research, such as the present study, offers valuable insights in this regard. Through usercentered analyses and case studies, we can glean valuable information to inform improvement efforts. A review of existing research in this area revealed a gap in qualitative studies focused on Iranian eighth graders' utilization of the "Parsijoo" search engine. This highlights the need for the present study, which aims to identify the challenges students face when using this platform and propose potential solutions. Methodology: This research is applied in nature, with the objective of addressing a practical concern. It employs a qualitative approach and utilizes the exploratory case study method for data collection and analysis. The target population for this study comprised female students enrolled in the eighth grade at a specific school within Tabriz city. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select a sample of 16 participants from the total population of 108 eighth-grade students. Data collection for this study involved a two-step process. In the first stage, an educational workshop was conducted to familiarize the participants with the Parsijoo search engine. This intervention aimed to address the preliminary finding that students primarily accessed the intranet for specific course-related tasks and displayed limited knowledge and understanding of the Parsijoo search engine. To facilitate familiarization with the Parsijoo search engine, the researcher conducted a 90-minute workshop for participants. The workshop employed educational aids, including a PowerPoint presentation specifically tailored to Parsijoo. This session was held in the school's computer lab, which is equipped with a projector. Recognizing the potential for remote participation, the workshop also offered an online option. Following the introductory remarks, the facilitators addressed any questions posed by the participants and provided a detailed explanation of the interview process. Subsequently, informed consent was obtained from the students, ensuring their full understanding of the interview's purpose and their voluntary participation. It is noteworthy that all workshop attendees explicitly declared their willingness to participate. The second stage, involving face-to-face interviews, commenced two weeks following the workshop. The workshop served as a preparatory phase, affording students the opportunity to gain practical experience working with the engine and fostering familiarity with its functionalities. Following a two-week period, participants were contacted and provided with the interview schedule and a set of pre-determined interview questions. Data collection then commenced through a series of semi-structured interviews conducted with each participant. These interviews took place over a two-week span within the school's computer workshop environment. The interviews were audio-recorded for later transcription, ensuring a comprehensive capture of the data. Data analysis employed the Glaser and Strauss coding method, which was implemented concurrently with the interview process. Findings: Students identified several factors hindering the widespread adoption of the Parsijoo search engine. These factors can be broadly categorized into two main areas: Technical limitations of Parsijoo, such as inadequacy of teaching materials and resources regarding Parsijoo's functionalities, shortcomings of the Parsijoo search engine itself, including issues with retrieval accuracy, image search functionality, inability to share multimedia content (photos and videos), and limitations in the translation service, and absence of a dedicated section for animated images (GIFs); and lack of user awareness such as limited public awareness regarding the existence of Parsijoo as a search engine alternative, unfamiliarity with the process of modifying a web browser's default search engine, insufficient understanding of the key differences between search engines and the functionalities they offer, and unawareness of the availability of a custom plugin for Parsijoo. Student-developed strategies to address identified problems with the translation service can be categorized into three main areas: Product enhansment focusing on improving user experience through feature development such as enhanced translation features, photo and video sharing capabilities, customizable user feedback options, improved image retrieval performance, availability of an English version, and compatibility with various software platforms; educational outreach aiming to increase awareness and adoption within the educational sector. It encompasses collaboration with schools to introduce the service through presentations and demonstrations, and itegration of the service into academic curricula and textbooks; and marketing and user engagement focusing on generating broader user interest and participation. It includes utilizing word-of-mouth promotion among students and educators, leveraging media and online advertising channels, and organizing user contests or incentive programs. Conclusion: Parsijoo, a search engine designed to prioritize retrieval of Persian documents and data, is currently undergoing a recovery phase. While this focus on Persian content offers a valuable service, user expectations in the modern digital landscape tend towards a single, comprehensive search engine capable of fulfilling all their information needs. Unsuccessful retrieval attempts within Parsijoo's current scope may lead to user dissatisfaction with its performance. The Parsijoo application offers multiple functionalities for download and use. The most straightforward method involves accessing the Parsijoo homepage. This mobile application, prominently displayed on the Parsijoo search engine's front page, allows users to download and utilize it directly on their mobile devices. While the search engine prioritizes user experience, a challenge has emerged. Some users, due to a lack of awareness regarding its functionalities, may perceive the absence of a dedicated application as a shortcoming. This perception can be attributed to the ever-increasing desire for immediate information access. Users value the efficiency that search engines provide, as it empowers them to conduct rapid searches and obtain desired results promptly. The designation of a preferred search engine within a web browser can be instrumental in achieving this goal. This configuration is readily accessible to all users via the browser's settings menu. The Parsijoo search engine helpfully outlines the default installation process on its homepage, simplifying the user experience. However, a lack of general awareness regarding this option often leads to user difficulties. Research conducted in the field of search engines primarily focuses on optimizing service delivery and performance across various metrics. In this instance, students proposed a solution centered on enhancing the performance of the Parsijoo search engine itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
