Abstract: ［Purpose/Significance］This paper aims to study the characteristics of academic users’ exploratory search behavior in the network environment, design professional information service strategies, help librarians to precisely understand users’ needs and improve the accuracy of services.［Design/Methodology］By focusing on the three uncertainties of exploratory information search, this study integrated the knowledge construction, problem context and cognitive stage of exploratory search behavior, and analyzed the influence of users' domain knowledge and search skills on exploratory search behavior.［Findings/Conclusion］According to the priori knowledge collection, academic users are divided into 4 groups. Combined with the uncertain types and cognitive stages in users’ search process, basic services, auxiliary services, tutorial services and professional services could be offered respectively.［Originality/Value］Orienting to the uncertainty of exploratory search behavior, the cognitive process framework and the information service strategies corresponding to the types and stages of exploratory search behavior have been proposed.

Keywords: Exploratory search behavior, Domain knowledge, Searching ability, Cognitive process