In today's world, there are many ways to research. You can use your phone, or go to the library to check out books. However, with the rise of social media and the internet, the most convenient and popular way to do research is through web research.
If you want to learn how to do good internet research - and not just a quick Google search that gives you information from unreliable sources—then the tips highlighted in this article will provide you with the necessary information you need.
How to research online for students
First of all, it is important to understand that the internet is full of conflicting opinions from people who claim to be experts on everything from politics to sports. Therefore there are no outright "right" or "wrong" answers—just different ones.
When researching online for your school paper or research project, you must consider how much time and effort should go into each step of your research process.
Below are various tips on effective internet searching:
- Be clear on your topic
Define your topic before starting your research. Clarifying your topic will help you outline the aim and objective of your research. When you are confused about the topic to choose, you will end up wasting a ton of time going through irrelevant information. Clarity helps to keep you focused.
- Make sure you choose credible sources
When researching on the internet it is necessary to be able to tell the difference between unreliable and reliable sources. Credible sources are those that have been well-known and respected for their expertise in the field. They may be peer-reviewed journals, books, magazines, newspapers, or websites with a large audience of users. Credible sources will not only provide a good summary of the information you need to know but also give an accurate representation of what was written by making sure it is free from bias, or opinions that could lead to inaccurate assumptions.
You can recognize credible sources by starting with reputable sites. Look for a site that has a reputation for quality, up-to-date information, and unbiased reporting.
- Organize your information
One of the most effective research strategies is to organize your information by creating a list of topics. You can use this list as a guide for how to structure your research, or simply use it as inspiration for the types of resources you want to look at (e.g., books, articles).
- Take notes as you research
Use a notebook. This is the most common method for taking notes, and it works well for many people who want to write down everything they learn in their research. If you use paper instead of your computer or tablet, it will be easier for you to keep track of what each note is about and how long ago it was written down in your notebook (since there is no distracting background).
- Keep track of the sources you use
While researching, it is important to keep track of the sources you use. This will help you when it is time for writing and editing your paper. You can do this by creating a bibliography or footnotes in Word and keeping a copy on your computer or tablet so that you have access whenever needed.
Keep track of all the sources used in each part of the paper, including:
- Journal articles
- Books/magazines/newspapers/other online materials that were used for additional information
- Websites where additional information could be found
Conclusion
Research is an essential part of studentship, whether you are writing an essay, a dissertation, or a simple assignment, you will be required to do research. With a little time and good online research strategies, you can start doing accurate research. The above tips will help you understand the basics of the process so that you can be confident and effective when it comes time for your next research project.
