Online research is an incredibly powerful tool. It provides access to information, from academic journals to news articles to videos and user-generated content.
Researching online can be done by any human with access to the internet or by an IA. With the right strategies, online research is an effective and efficient way to learn almost anything.
Learning almost anything is not possible in some authoritarian countries with restrictions on their information, even negation of their own history. That’s why the possibility of doing research and having access to information should not be taken for granted.
A sea of knowledge lies at our fingertips thanks to the internet. Researching online is the easiest and fastest method of conducting research because you can curate a vast amount of information in a short period of time.
On top of that, you can refer to various sources and get information from all over the world and across various other demographics as well.
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Benefits of Researching Online
Online research has several advantages. Here are some advantages of conducting internet research:
- Access to knowledge: The internet provides access to a vast quantity of information on every topic, making it simple to swiftly and easily discover the answers we want. Internet research is frequently less expensive than traditional techniques, such as purchasing books or visiting physical libraries.
- Saves time: Internet research helps us to access knowledge faster, saving us time that would otherwise be spent searching through physical books or journals.
- Collaboration: The internet allows you to cooperate with people all around the world by exchanging ideas and research findings.
- Improved productivity: Internet research has the potential to boost productivity.
- Promotes critical thinking: Internet research necessitates critical thinking and source assessment, which aids in the development and strengthening of analytical abilities.
- Remain current: Internet research lets us stay informed on the newest findings and trends in our subjects of interest.
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Researching Online – 10 Tips and Tricks for Beginners
Researching online is a kind of art that every individual must practice to help himself/herself grow personally and professionally. Here are a few tips and tricks for beginners for researching online.
- Define a clear goal: Prior to your research, you need to ensure that you have a clear idea about what results you want to find.
- Make use of advanced search options: The majority of search engines have advanced search options like “filter your search results by date, location, language, etc. which allows you to narrow your search.
- Evaluate the result: You need to evaluate the information you find while researching online. You must check the credentials of the author, source cites, and date of publication. This will help you find accurate information.
- Use citation tools: Citation tools such as EasyBib or Zotero can help you organize the data and resources and create citations.
- Take notes: Taking notes and keeping track of the sources you use is really important so that you can know from where you got the information.
- Ask for help: If you find it difficult to gather information, do not feel embarrassed to ask for help. You can reach out to your librarian, teacher, or subject specialist for help.
- Stay focused: It’s easy to get sidetracked when researching online. Stay focused on your research question and avoid getting lost in the rabbit hole of information.
- Be mindful of plagiarism: Plagiarism is a serious offense. Make sure to properly cite all sources that you use in your research.
- Take breaks: Researching can be time-consuming and exhausting. Take breaks regularly to prevent burnout and maintain your focus.
- Use reliable sources: Use credible sources such as academic journals, books, and government websites. Avoid using sources that are not credible or biased.
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Boolean Search
Looking at the present-day scenario, there are various sources, tools and methods, tricks, and techniques present to research online. For instance, there is something known as “Boolean Search”.
Essentially, Boolean search is a useful tool to identify information on the internet. It uses a combination of words, symbols, and operators to assist you in finding precisely what you’re searching for.
The three fundamental operators in Boolean search logic enable you to mix words and phrases: AND, OR, and NOT. This allows you to limit your results to only the most relevant stuff. The boolean search may also be used to locate specific phrases and word combinations.
A boolean search may help you discover information more quickly and effectively, saving you time. It can also assist you in locating the information that might otherwise be difficult to find. A boolean search is vital for anybody conducting a study or seeking specific information online.
Researching Online – Academic Journals
Academic journals are an important resource for academic study and learning. These are magazines that comprise articles produced by subject matter experts that provide in-depth analyses and insights on a variety of topics. Journals are published on a regular basis, with new issues released weekly, monthly, or quarterly.
There are several methods for gaining online access to journals. Via their libraries, many universities and academic institutions provide online access to a wide selection of periodicals.
These academic journals are available via library databases or online platforms such as:
JSTOR
JSTOR is a digital library that provides access to academic books, books, academic journals, and primary sources in various subjects like arts, social sciences, humanities, and sciences.
JSTOR was founded in 1995 and is a Non-governmental organization that collaborates with libraries, publishers, and scholars to provide you with access to top-quality content worldwide.
Project MUSE
Project MUSE is a digital library that provides access to books, academic journals, and other content in the humanities and social sciences. It is a collective platform for libraries, publishers, and scholars.
Project MUSE was launched in 1995 and is operated by Johns Hopkins University Press. It offers a wide range of content from over 250 publishers, including books, scholarly journals, and conference proceedings. The platform also provides access to current and archival content, with many journals available from their beginning to the present day.
ScienceDirect
ScienceDirect is a digital library and online database that provides access to scientific, technical, and medical research published in peer-reviewed journals. It is owned and operated by Elsevier, a leading academic publisher. The platform covers a wide range of disciplines, including chemistry, biology, engineering, medicine, mathematics, and physics.
Conclusion | Benefits Researching Online
To conclude, internet research is an effective tool for learning, discovering new ideas, and developing one’s area of knowledge. If done properly, you should improve your personal and professional progress and make better-informed decisions in your lives by utilizing the various information accessible online.