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How to properly research online

Research Tips

Published

February 29, 2012

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Published

February 29, 2012

5,790

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Jean Mandernach

As discussed by Gil (2012):

Legitimate online research involves much more than 10 seconds with Google and copy-pasting links to Wikipedia. Legitimate research is called re-search for a reason: repetitive and continuous searching , filtering, and citing of articles, all with a critical and skeptical mindset. There are over 80 billion Web pages published, and much of it is drivel. To successfully sift it all, you must use reliable and consistent methods. You will need patience to see the full breadth of writing on any single topic. And you will need your critical thinking skills to disbelieve anything until validated.If you are a student, or if you are seeking serious medical, professional, or historical information, definitely heed these 8 suggested steps to researching online (see http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/navigatingthenet/tp/How-to-Properly-Research-Online.htm for an extended discussion of each tip):

1. Decide if the Topic Is 'Hard Research', 'Soft Research', or Both.

'Hard' and 'soft' research have different expectations of data and proof. You should know the hard or soft nature of your topic to point your search strategy where it will yield the most compelling research results.

3. Use Different Search Engines and Keywords

Now comes the primary legwork: using different search engines and using 3-5 keyword combinations. Patient and constant adjusting of your keywords are key here.

4. Bookmark and Stockpile Possible Good Content.

While this step is simple, this is the second-slowest part of the whole process: this is where we gather all the possible ingredients into organized piles, which we sift through later.

5. Filter and Validate the Content.

This is the slowest step of all: vetting and filtering which content is legitimate, and which is drivelous trash. If you are doing hard research, this is also the most important step of all, because your resources MUST withstand close examination later.

6. Make a Final Decision on Which Argument You Now Support.

After spending a few hours researching, your initial opinion may have changed. Maybe you are relieved, maybe you are more afraid, maybe you've just learned something and opened your mind that much more. Whichever it is, you will need to have an informed opinion if you are about to publish a report or thesis for your professor.

7. Quote and Cite the Content.

While there is not a single universal standard for citing (acknowledging) quotes from the Internet, the Modern Language Association and American Psychological Association are two very respected citing methods.