AHH... the research process.
Doing research in today's world is a bit overwhelming, albeit very convenient. For the researcher it is a world/wealth of information right at their finger tips. Technology and information overload have help speed up the research process (how else can college kids turn in assignments in the 11th hour?). HOWEVER, for the more diligent researcher, the information overload can be a major stressor.
I've spent several days/a few weeks now using reference sources I've not used before, found answers to questions never asked of me before, and have evaluated all of the above. So, as a researcher, I do feel overwhelmed, though I cannot deny that I feel just a much (if not more) informed/smart than I did before researching my heart out.
As overloaded as I feel, I am sure I would not feel this way if I was researching in via card catalogs or by actually leaving my computer. So, is researcher easier in our current times than the past? YES.
Just a few pointers I have learned:
To Google everything. I've now used Google to search/convert liquid measurements for cooking, metric conversions, movie times, and weather...and more
All government based url's end in .gov! I know, its sounds dumb, I didn't know this before I even worked for city governments...I just never paid any attention to the .gov at the top of our websites.
If you are unable to remember proper ways to cite resources (either ALA, MLA, or Chicago style), use the latest version of Microsoft Word 2007 to type your doc. and let the ribbon/tool bar at the top: References tab-insert citation, then type in the bibliographic information it prompts you to enter...viola (Use your blog as an open forum to reflect on the experience you have had so far.
Okay, that is it for now. I still am not 100% comfortable blogging yet. I am just not as creative as Doogie Howser was.
1 comment:
Researching is a lot of work, but what I think really stomps me... is actually reading all the information that was given. I am a very straightforward person that likes to get to the point. I hate to be reading all the information that I have found because half of it, I know that I won't use.
Google is awesome! You can find all types of interesting things and do all types of interesting things. It's amazing!
Wow! I found that interesting that Microsoft 2007 does the citation for you. That is completly AWESOME! I wish I had it! ^_^
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