Interpretation of the success and challenges we faced when finding sources for our research study.

 

Interpretation of the success and challenges we faced when finding sources for our research study.

Author: Santosh Kumar Biswa, Sr. Teacher, Damphu CS, Tsirang, Bhutan

 

Teaching & Learning, University Libraries (2020) states that the search process on the Internet can be both inefficient and time-consuming as there is an overwhelming amount of information available. However, using quality search engines such as library databases or Google Scholar can make the process easier to manage. Nevertheless, researchers may still encounter irrelevant results and may have to filter through them to obtain the necessary information.

Insert references with web link: While reflecting on my recent search process, I realized that my reliance on general search engines like Google or Bing was a common mistake. According to Liao and Vieru (2019), these tools often produce an overwhelming number of irrelevant results, making it challenging to find credible sources. Additionally, I came across numerous sources that were not trustworthy or reliable, a common issue on the internet, where anyone can publish content without any expertise or credentials. The importance of critically evaluating sources to assess their credibility and reliability has been emphasized through my experience. Factors such as authorship, publication date, and the website or journal they come from should be taken into account during the evaluation process (American Library Association, 2018). Furthermore, I encountered the challenge of finding scholarly resources on a relatively new and less popular topic, which is a common issue when conducting research online due to the overwhelming amount of information available, making it difficult to distinguish credible sources from irrelevant ones. During my search, I discussed my struggles with friends, who also admitted to relying on general search engines like Google. However, effective search strategies, as suggested by Chen and Zhai (2016), can help narrow down results and integrate critical evaluation of sources into the research process. Balancing the need for reliable sources with the vast amount of information available online is crucial. I can now share with my friends that critically evaluating sources is essential to the success of any study.

To overcome the challenges of finding credible and relevant sources, my peers need to use specific search terms and quality search engines. Research has shown that being specific with search terms can help narrow down search results to only those that are relevant (Liao & Vieru, 2019). It is also advisable to use library databases or Google Scholar to access a comprehensive collection of scholarly resources rather than relying on general search engines (Crawford, 2016). A critical evaluation of sources found on the internet is crucial to ensuring their credibility and reliability. According to the American Library Association (2018), evaluating the authorship, publication date, and journal or website where the source was published is crucial for avoiding sources that may not be trustworthy. Refining search terms, using advanced search options, using credible sources, reading abstracts and summaries, using citation databases, using reference lists, and staying organized are all strategies that my peers can use to streamline their search process and find relevant and reliable sources (Chen & Zhai, 2016). Teaching & Learning, University Libraries (2020) recommends various search strategies, such as Boolean operators, phrase searching, wildcards, limiters, and subject headings, that can be used to refine search results and find reliable sources for academic research. By combining these strategies, my peers can find credible sources that will support their research study.

In conclusion, even though searching for sources can be difficult, it's important to have the appropriate mindset and methods to do so. To help my peers conduct an online source search, we must use specific search terms, library databases, or Google Scholar, and critically evaluate the credibility and reliability of sources. This will help minimize the number of irrelevant results and improve the quality of our research.

References

American Library Association. (2018). Evaluating information: the cornerstone of civic online reasoning. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/tools/atoz/evaluating-information-civic-reasoning

American Library Association. (2018). How to evaluate sources. http://www.ala.org/tools/article/ala-techsource/how-evaluate-sources

Chen, X., & Zhai, C. (2016). Academic search engine optimization (ASEO): Optimizing scholarly literature for Google Scholar & Co. Journal of Scholarly Publishing, 47(4), 333-362. https://doi.org/10.3138/jsp.47.4.333

Choosing & Using Sources: A guide to academic research. (2020). Teaching & Learning, University Libraries. https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/choosingsources/

Crawford, W. (2016). The social architecture of the Internet. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2016/03/the-social-architecture-of-the-internet

Liao, C., & Vieru, D. (2019). The impact of social media on consumer behavior: An empirical study of factors influencing consumer purchase intention in China. Journal of Customer Behaviour, 18(2), 205-227. doi: 10.1362/147539219X15537970960626