A sense-making approach to active e-book indexes

The book index is evolving to fit the e-book format. However, there is a lack of research on the behaviour of book index users that could guide the development of e-book indexes. My research is filling that gap by asking how readers make sense of active e-book indexes, which are indexes with locators hyperlinked to the text. Locators are fundamental components of indexes -- in print books indexes, they are usually page numbers; however, in e-book indexes, locators can be hyperlinked to the page, paragraph, line or word. E-book readers' understanding of how these active indexes work will affect their ability to find information in an e-book. I am using qualitative methods of data collection and analysis, including observation using eye tracking equipment and retrospective think-aloud, to answer the question 'how do readers make sense of active e-book indexes?' My research is guided by Brenda Dervin's sense-making approach to information seeking.