8. The search support method according to claim 6 , further comprising: extracting, when the identified question phrase indicates that listing of candidates for an object to be searched by the question is requested, the candidates from the search result; and displaying the extracted candidates in a form of ranking based on a predetermined criterion.
6. A search support method performed by a computer, the search support method comprising: receiving a question containing a character string; identifying a question phrase for specifying a question type of the received question by comparing the character string contained in the question and a question phrase that is included in information that is stored in a storage unit, in the stored information a question phrase, a display mode and an extraction rule being associated one another, and identifying, based on the extraction rule that is associated with the identified question phrase, a search query used for searching in a database for a response to the received question, the database storing information published on Web sites; determining a display mode of an output of the response to the received question in accordance with the identified question phrase for specifying the question type by referring to the stored information; and outputting a search result of searching in the database using the identified search query, in the display mode of the output, wherein the process further comprises specifying, when the identified question phrase indicates that selection from objects that are included in the question is requested, the objects for selection and information related thereto from the search result; outputting each of the specified objects and information, in a display mode that enables comparison therebetween; extracting, when the identified question phrase indicates that objects of an action that is specified in the question are requested to be searched, the objects from the search result; and outputting the extracted objects in a display mode in which images of the extracted objects are listed.