Using Action-Object Pairs as a Conceptual Framework for Transaction Log Analysis

In this chapter, we present the action-object pair approach as a conceptual framework for conducting transaction log analysis. We argue that there are two basic components in the interaction between the user and the system recorded in a transaction log, which are action and object. An action is a specific expression of the user. An object is a self-contained information object, the recipient of the action. These two components form one interaction set or an action-object pair. A series of action-object pairs represents the interaction session. The action-object pair approach provides a conceptual framework for the collection, analysis, and understanding of data from transaction logs. We believe that this approach can benefit system design by providing the organizing principle for implicit feedback and other interactions concerning the user and delivering, for example, personalized service to the user based on this feedback. Action-object pairs also provide a worthwhile approach to advance our theoretical and conceptual understanding of transaction log analysis as a research method.