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The Most Important Research Skills (With Examples)

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Research skills are the ability to find out accurate information on a topic. They include being able to determine the data you need, find and interpret those findings, and then explain that to others. Being able to do effective research is a beneficial skill in any profession, as data and research inform how businesses operate. Whether you’re unsure of your research skills or are looking for ways to further improve them, then this article will cover important research skills and how to become even better at research. Key Takeaways Having strong research skills can help you understand your competitors, develop new processes, and build your professional skills in addition to aiding you in finding new customers and saving your company money. Some of the most valuable research skills you can have include goal setting, data collection, and analyzing information from multiple sources. You can and should put your research skills on your resume and highlight them in your job interviews. In This Article    Skip to section What are research skills? Why are research skills important? 12 of the most important research skills How to improve your research skills Highlighting your research skills in a job interview How to include research skills on your resume Resume examples showcasing research skills Research skills FAQs References Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs Show More What are research skills?

Research skills are the necessary tools to be able to find, compile, and interpret information in order to answer a question. Of course, there are several aspects to this. Researchers typically have to decide how to go about researching a problem — which for most people is internet research.

In addition, you need to be able to interpret the reliability of a source, put the information you find together in an organized and logical way, and be able to present your findings to others. That means that they’re comprised of both hard skills — knowing your subject and what’s true and what isn’t — and soft skills. You need to be able to interpret sources and communicate clearly.

Why are research skills important?

Research skills are useful in any industry, and have applications in innovation, product development, competitor research, and many other areas. In addition, the skills used in researching aren’t only useful for research. Being able to interpret information is a necessary skill, as is being able to clearly explain your reasoning.

Research skills are used to:

Do competitor research. Knowing what your biggest competitors are up to is an essential part of any business. Researching what works for your competitors, what they’re doing better than you, and where you can improve your standing with the lowest resource expenditure are all essential if a company wants to remain functional.

Develop new processes and products. You don’t have to be involved in research and development to make improvements in how your team gets things done. Researching new processes that make your job (and those of your team) more efficient will be valued by any sensible employer.

Foster self-improvement. Folks who have a knack and passion for research are never content with doing things the same way they’ve always been done. Organizations need independent thinkers who will seek out their own answers and improve their skills as a matter of course. These employees will also pick up new technologies more easily.

Manage customer relationships. Being able to conduct research on your customer base is positively vital in virtually every industry. It’s hard to move products or sell services if you don’t know what people are interested in. Researching your customer base’s interests, needs, and pain points is a valuable responsibility.

Save money. Whether your company is launching a new product or just looking for ways to scale back its current spending, research is crucial for finding wasted resources and redirecting them to more deserving ends. Anyone who proactively researches ways that the company can save money will be highly appreciated by their employer.

Solve problems. Problem solving is a major part of a lot of careers, and research skills are instrumental in making sure your solution is effective. Finding out the cause of the problem and determining an effective solution both require accurate information, and research is the best way to obtain that — be it via the internet or by observation.

Determine reliable information. Being able to tell whether or not the information you receive seems accurate is a very valuable skill. While research skills won’t always guarantee that you’ll be able to tell the reliability of the information at first glance, it’ll prevent you from being too trusting. And it’ll give the tools to double-check .

12 of the most important research skills

Experienced researchers know that worthwhile investigation involves a variety of skills. Consider which research skills come naturally to you, and which you could work on more.

Data collection . When thinking about the research process, data collection is often the first thing that comes to mind. It is the nuts and bolts of research. How data is collected can be flexible.

For some purposes, simply gathering facts and information on the internet can fulfill your need. Others may require more direct and crowd-sourced research. Having experience in various methods of data collection can make your resume more impressive to recruiters.

Data collection methods include: Observation Interviews Questionnaires Experimentation Conducting focus groups

Analysis of information from different sources. Putting all your eggs in one source basket usually results in error and disappointment. One of the skills that good researchers always incorporate into their process is an abundance of sources. It’s also best practice to consider the reliability of these sources.

Are you reading about U.S. history on a conspiracy theorist’s blog post? Taking facts for a presentation from an anonymous Twitter account?

If you can’t determine the validity of the sources you’re using, it can compromise all of your research. That doesn’t mean just disregard anything on the internet but double-check your findings. In fact, quadruple-check. You can make your research even stronger by turning to references outside of the internet.

Examples of reliable information sources include: Published books Encyclopedias Magazines Databases Scholarly journals Newspapers Library catalogs

Finding information on the internet. While it can be beneficial to consulate alternative sources, strong internet research skills drive modern-day research.

One of the great things about the internet is how much information it contains, however, this comes with digging through a lot of garbage to get to the facts you need. The ability to efficiently use the vast database of knowledge that is on the internet without getting lost in the junk is very valuable to employers.

Internet research skills include: Source checking Searching relevant questions Exploring deeper than the first options Avoiding distraction Giving credit Organizing findings

Interviewing. Some research endeavors may require a more hands-on approach than just consulting internet sources. Being prepared with strong interviewing skills can be very helpful in the research process.

Interviews can be a useful research tactic to gain first-hand information and being able to manage a successful interview can greatly improve your research skills.

Interviewing skills involves: A plan of action Specific, pointed questions Respectfulness Considering the interview setting Actively Listening Taking notes Gratitude for participation

Report writing. Possessing skills in report writing can assist you in job and scholarly research. The overall purpose of a report in any context is to convey particular information to its audience.

Effective report writing is largely dependent on communication. Your boss, professor , or general reader should walk away completely understanding your findings and conclusions.

Report writing skills involve: Proper format Including a summary Focusing on your initial goal Creating an outline Proofreading Directness

Critical thinking. Critical thinking skills can aid you greatly throughout the research process, and as an employee in general. Critical thinking refers to your data analysis skills. When you’re in the throes of research, you need to be able to analyze your results and make logical decisions about your findings.

Critical thinking skills involve: Observation Analysis Assessing issues Problem-solving Creativity Communication

Planning and scheduling. Research is a work project like any other, and that means it requires a little forethought before starting. Creating a detailed outline map for the points you want to touch on in your research produces more organized results.

It also makes it much easier to manage your time. Planning and scheduling skills are important to employers because they indicate a prepared employee.

Planning and scheduling skills include: Setting objectives Identifying tasks Prioritizing Delegating if needed Vision Communication Clarity Time-management

Note-taking. Research involves sifting through and taking in lots of information. Taking exhaustive notes ensures that you will not neglect any findings later and allows you to communicate these results to your co-workers. Being able to take good notes helps summarize research.

Examples of note-taking skills include: Focus Organization Using short-hand Keeping your objective in mind Neatness Highlighting important points Reviewing notes afterward

Communication skills. Effective research requires being able to understand and process the information you receive, either written or spoken. That means that you need strong reading comprehension and writing skills — two major aspects of communication — as well as excellent listening skills.

Most research also involves showcasing your findings. This can be via a presentation. , report, chart, or Q&A. Whatever the case, you need to be able to communicate your findings in a way that educates your audience.

Communication skills include: Reading comprehension Writing Listening skills Presenting to an audience Creating graphs or charts Explaining in layman’s terms

Time management. We’re, unfortunately, only given 24 measly hours in a day. The ability to effectively manage this time is extremely powerful in a professional context. Hiring managers seek candidates who can accomplish goals in a given timeframe.

Strong time management skills mean that you can organize a plan for how to break down larger tasks in a project and complete them by a deadline. Developing your time management skills can greatly improve the productivity of your research.

Time management skills include: Scheduling Creating task outlines Strategic thinking Stress-management Delegation Communication Utilizing resources Setting realistic expectations Meeting deadlines

Using your network. While this doesn’t seem immediately relevant to research skills, remember that there are a lot of experts out there. Knowing what people’s areas of expertise and asking for help can be tremendously beneficial — especially if it’s a subject you’re unfamiliar with.

Your coworkers are going to have different areas of expertise than you do, and your network of people will as well. You may even know someone who knows someone who’s knowledgeable in the area you’re researching. Most people are happy to share their expertise, as it’s usually also an area of interest to them.

Networking involves: Remembering people’s areas of expertise Being willing to ask for help Communication Returning favors Making use of advice Asking for specific assistance

Attention to detail. Research is inherently precise. That means that you need to be attentive to the details, both in terms of the information you’re gathering, but also in where you got it from. Making errors in statistics can have a major impact on the interpretation of the data, not to mention that it’ll reflect poorly on you.

There are proper procedures for citing sources that you should follow. That means that your sources will be properly credited, preventing accusations of plagiarism. In addition, it means that others can make use of your research by returning to the original sources.

Attention to detail includes: Double checking statistics Taking notes Keeping track of your sources Staying organized Making sure graphs are accurate and representative Properly citing sources

How to improve your research skills

As with many professional skills, research skills serve us in our day to day life. Any time you search for information on the internet, you’re doing research. That means that you’re practicing it outside of work as well. If you want to continue improving your research skills, both for professional and personal use, here are some tips to try.

Differentiate between source quality. A researcher is only as good as their worst source. Start paying attention to the quality of the sources you use, and be suspicious of everything your read until you check out the attributions and works cited.

Be critical and ask yourself about the author’s bias, where the author’s research aligns with the larger body of verified research in the field, and what publication sponsored or published the research.

Use multiple resources. When you can verify information from a multitude of sources, it becomes more and more credible. To bolster your faith in one source, see if you can find another source that agrees with it.

Don’t fall victim to confirmation bias. Confirmation bias is when a researcher expects a certain outcome and then goes to find data that supports this hypothesis. It can even go so far as disregarding anything that challenges the researcher’s initial hunch. Be prepared for surprising answers and keep an open mind.

Be open to the idea that you might not find a definitive answer. It’s best to be honest and say that you found no definitive answer instead of just confirming what you think your boss or coworkers expect or want to hear. Experts and good researchers are willing to say that they don’t know.

Stay organized. Being able to cite sources accurately and present all your findings is just as important as conducting the research itself. Start practicing good organizational skills , both on your devices and for any physical products you’re using.

Get specific as you go. There’s nothing wrong with starting your research in a general way. After all, it’s important to become familiar with the terminology and basic gist of the researcher’s findings before you dig down into all the minutia.

Highlighting your research skills in a job interview

A job interview is itself a test of your research skills. You can expect questions on what you know about the company, the role, and your field or industry more generally. In order to give expert answers on all these topics, research is crucial.

Start by researching the company . Look into how they communicate with the public through social media, what their mission statement is, and how they describe their culture.

Pay close attention to the tone of their website. Is it hyper professional or more casual and fun-loving? All of these elements will help decide how best to sell yourself at the interview.

Next, research the role. Go beyond the job description and reach out to current employees working at your desired company and in your potential department. If you can find out what specific problems your future team is or will be facing, you’re sure to impress hiring managers and recruiters with your ability to research all the facts.

Finally, take time to research the job responsibilities you’re not as comfortable with. If you’re applying for a job that represents increased difficulty or entirely new tasks, it helps to come into the interview with at least a basic knowledge of what you’ll need to learn.

How to include research skills on your resume

Research projects require dedication. Being committed is a valuable skill for hiring managers. Whether you’ve had research experience throughout education or a former job, including it properly can boost the success of your resume .

Consider how extensive your research background is. If you’ve worked on multiple, in-depth research projects, it might be best to include it as its own section. If you have less research experience, include it in the skills section .

Focus on your specific role in the research, as opposed to just the research itself. Try to quantify accomplishments to the best of your abilities. If you were put in charge of competitor research, for example, list that as one of the tasks you had in your career.

If it was a particular project, such as tracking the sale of women’s clothing at a tee-shirt company, you can say that you “directed analysis into women’s clothing sales statistics for a market research project.”

Ascertain how directly research skills relate to the job you’re applying for. How strongly you highlight your research skills should depend on the nature of the job the resume is for. If research looks to be a strong component of it, then showcase all of your experience.

If research looks to be tangential, then be sure to mention it — it’s a valuable skill — but don’t put it front and center.

Resume examples showcasing research skills

Example #1: Academic Research

Simon Marks 767 Brighton Blvd. | Brooklyn, NY, 27368 | (683)-262-8883 | [email protected] Diligent and hardworking recent graduate seeking a position to develop professional experience and utilize research skills. B.A. in Biological Sciences from New York University. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Lixus Publishing , Brooklyn, NY Office Assistant- September 2018-present Scheduling and updating meetings Managing emails and phone calls Reading entries Worked on a science fiction campaign by researching target demographic Organizing calendars Promoted to office assistant after one year internship Mitch’s Burgers and Fries , Brooklyn, NY Restaurant Manager , June 2014-June 2018 Managed a team of five employees Responsible for coordinating the weekly schedule Hired and trained two employees Kept track of inventory Dealt with vendors Provided customer service Promoted to restaurant manager after two years as a waiter Awarded a $2.00/hr wage increase SKILLS Writing Scientific Research Data analysis Critical thinking Planning Communication RESEARCH Worked on an ecosystem biology project with responsibilities for algae collection and research (2019) Lead a group of freshmen in a research project looking into cell biology (2018) EDUCATION New York University Bachelors in Biological Sciences, September 2016-May 2020

Example #2: Professional Research

Angela Nichols 1111 Keller Dr. | San Francisco, CA | (663)-124-8827 |[email protected] Experienced and enthusiastic marketer with 7 years of professional experience. Seeking a position to apply my marketing and research knowledge. Skills in working on a team and flexibility. EXPERIENCE Apples amp; Oranges Marketing, San Francisco, CA Associate Marketer – April 2017-May 2020 Discuss marketing goals with clients Provide customer service Lead campaigns associated with women’s health Coordinating with a marketing team Quickly solving issues in service and managing conflict Awarded with two raises totaling $10,000 over three years Prestigious Marketing Company, San Francisco, CA Marketer – May 2014-April 2017 Working directly with clients Conducting market research into television streaming preferences Developing marketing campaigns related to television streaming services Report writing Analyzing campaign success statistics Promoted to Marketer from Junior Marketer after the first year Timberlake Public Relations, San Francisco, CA Public Relations Intern – September 2013–May 2014 Working cohesively with a large group of co-workers and supervisors Note-taking during meetings Running errands Managing email accounts Assisting in brainstorming Meeting work deadlines EDUCATION Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA Bachelor of Arts in Marketing with a minor in Communications – September 2009 – May 2013 SKILLS Marketing Market research Record-keeping Teamwork Presentation. Flexibility

Research skills FAQs

What research skills are important?

Goal-setting and data collection are important research skills. Additional important research skills include:

Using different sources to analyze information.

Finding information on the internet.

Interviewing sources.

Writing reports.

Critical thinking.

Planning and scheduling.

Note-taking.

Managing time.

How do you develop good research skills?

You develop good research skills by learning how to find information from multiple high-quality sources, by being wary of confirmation bias, and by starting broad and getting more specific as you go.

When you learn how to tell a reliable source from an unreliable one and get in the habit of finding multiple sources that back up a claim, you’ll have better quality research.

In addition, when you learn how to keep an open mind about what you’ll find, you’ll avoid falling into the trap of confirmation bias, and by staying organized and narrowing your focus as you go (rather than before you start), you’ll be able to gather quality information more efficiently.

What is the importance of research?

The importance of research is that it informs most decisions and strategies in a business. Whether it’s deciding which products to offer or creating a marketing strategy, research should be used in every part of a company.

Because of this, employers want employees who have strong research skills. They know that you’ll be able to put them to work bettering yourself and the organization as a whole.

Should you put research skills on your resume?

Yes, you should include research skills on your resume as they are an important professional skill. Where you include your research skills on your resume will depend on whether you have a lot of experience in research from a previous job or as part of getting your degree, or if you’ve just cultivated them on your own.

If your research skills are based on experience, you could put them down under the tasks you were expected to perform at the job in question. If not, then you should likely list it in your skills section.

University of the People – The Best Research Skills for Success

Association of Internet Research Specialists — What are Research Skills and Why Are They Important?

MasterClass — How to Improve Your Research Skills: 6 Research Tips

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Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.

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Developing your research skills, research skills.

Research skills contribute to informed decision-making, improve problem-solving, and increase efficiency. They enable organizations to assess performance, identify areas for growth, and stay competitive in the market.

Individuals with strong research skills are seen as ready to gather new information and share it with others, which makes them valuable assets to colleagues and stakeholders. Developing your research skills can help you open opportunities for career advancement and even tackle complex personal problems.

In this guide, we’ll explore research skills, their benefits, and how you can apply them across different industries.

What Are Research Skills?

Research skills are abilities you use to gather, review, and analyze information from various sources to answer a question or find a solution. They involve the capacity to locate, retrieve, and evaluate information from diverse sources, such as books, journals, publications, and databases, and more. 

Research skills are important across various industries because they allow you to conduct investigations, contribute to existing knowledge, and make informed decisions based on evidence.

Why Are Research Skills Important?

Research skills enable you and your organization to make decisions based on evidence rather than opinions or assumptions. Here are essential reasons why research skills matter in the workplace:

• Informed decision-making: Research skills involve analyzing relevant information to identify trends, evaluate different options, and weigh the pros and cons before choosing a course of action. By correctly analyzing information, you will be able to minimize risks, leverage opportunities, and make effective decisions.
• Quality assurance and improvement: When developing, maintaining, and improving the quality of products and services, research skills enable you to identify areas for improvement, gather customer feedback, and compare against industry best practices. You can help to enhance product quality and increase customer satisfaction.
• Customer insights and market understanding: Through extensive market research, you can understand your target audience, identify market trends, and assess the competitive landscape. This knowledge can help your organization develop effective marketing strategies and stay ahead of the competition.
• Thought leadership and expertise: Through continuous research, you can stay up to date with the latest advancements and emerging industry trends. This depth of knowledge positions you as a subject matter expert and thought leaders who can contribute to industry discussions and forums.

What Are the Benefits of Having Research Skills?

You can grow and excel in your professional journey by developing your research skills. Here are some of the long-term benefits of research skills:

• Enhanced academic performance: You can conduct effective research, critically evaluate information, and excel in academic assignments, projects, and research papers. Enhanced academic performance can lead to scholarships, academic recognition, and more opportunities for further education and career advancement.
• Increased credibility: By presenting well-supported arguments demonstrating expertise in your industry, you’ll cultivate trust and confidence in colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. These Colleagues will position you as a knowledgeable and reliable resource, which can open doors to leadership roles, consulting opportunities, and increased professional visibility.
• Changing perspectives: You’ll explore diverse viewpoints, challenge assumptions, and analyze different sources of information. This exposure allows you to consider alternative solutions and approach problems from multiple angles. Flexibility in thinking expands your creativity and innovation, making you well-equipped to thrive in dynamic work environments and seize new career opportunities.
• Problem-solving: Through gathering and analyzing data, identifying patterns, and drawing evidence-based conclusions, you’ll be able to develop well-informed solutions to various problems. Strong problem-solving skills can position you as a valuable asset in the workplace and increase your potential for career growth.

Examples of Research Skills in the Workplace

Research skills are essential for making informed decisions, driving innovation, and achieving successful outcomes across various industries.

Here are some of the practical ways you can use research skills in the workplace.

Information Gathering

You can utilize online databases, search engines, library resources, and specialized tools to find relevant and reliable information to support decision-making and problem-solving.

Data Analysis

Your ability to identify patterns, trends, and insights from datasets is crucial for developing critical thinking skills in research, identifying opportunities for improvement, and assessing the effectiveness of strategies.

Literature Review

By identifying relevant academic papers, books, and publications, and critically evaluating their content, you’ll be able to provide a comprehensive overview of a given subject.

Market Research

Market research helps you understand consumer preferences, market trends, and competitors. This type of research involves designing and administering surveys, analyzing market data, and interpreting findings to inform product development, marketing strategies, and business decision-making.

Research Proposal Writing

With solid research skills, you’ll have the ability to develop research proposals that outline the objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes of a research project. Research proposal writing includes conducting background research, selecting appropriate research methods, and justifying the significance of the study.

Project Management

In project management, strong research skills equip you to facilitate effective planning, organization, and execution of projects. Effectively managing a project includes setting project timelines, allocating resources, coordinating team members, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

How Can I Use Research Skills?

You can apply research skills across various careers. In education careers, you can keep up with the latest developments in edtech and keep tabs on learner needs. Here are various ways you can use these skills:

• Designing curriculum: In many education-related careers such as designing curriculum or coordinating instruction, you can utilize research to help create the best strategies for all students in the future. 
• Identify funding opportunities: You can pursue a career such as a grant writer , where you can utilize research skills to identify funding opportunities and develop compelling grant proposals. You can gather data and evidence to support the need for funding and to present persuasive cases for various initiatives.
• Conducting literature reviews: You can use your research skills to review existing literature and synthesize information on educational theories, teaching methods, and best practices, which will assist in developing a strong theoretical foundation for educational interventions.
• Designing and implementing studies: Research skills enable you to design and conduct studies to investigate educational phenomena. You can explore areas such as student learning outcomes, instructional strategies, curriculum development, and the impact of educational policies.
• Data collection and analysis: Research skills are crucial for gathering data through surveys, interviews, observations, or experiments. You can then analyze the data using statistical techniques to draw meaningful conclusions and inform evidence-based decision-making

With healthcare careers, you’re equipped to use research skills in the workplace. For example:

Medical careers: You’ll use your research skills in the workplace as a registered nurse to stay updated with the latest medical advancements, treatment protocols, and nursing interventions. You can contribute to nursing research projects and participate in initiatives to enhance patient care and safety. As a medical laboratory technician , you can conduct research to analyze medical samples, perform tests, and interpret results. 

Research skills are also important for other medical careers such as PACU Nurse , patient advocate , legal nurse consultant , military nurse , nurse case manager , or even a community health worker .

• Clinical research: Research skills are valuable for conducting clinical studies, such as randomized controlled trials or observational studies. These studies can investigate the effectiveness of medical interventions, diagnostic methods, or preventive strategies
• Data analysis: Research skills allow you to analyze medical data, such as patient records, clinical trial data, or medical imaging results. This analysis can help identify patterns, trends, and correlations that contribute to medical decision-making.
• Evidence-based medicine: Research skills enable you to critically appraise scientific literature, evaluate the quality of studies, and assess the validity of research findings. These are crucial elements for integrating research evidence into medical practice and providing the best possible care to patients.

How Can I Learn Research Skills?

WGU offers various degree programs with coursework focusing on developing and enhancing your research skills.

WGU’s School of Education offers many degrees that can take your research skills to the next level. These include the B.A. in Educational Studies, M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, M.S. in Educational Leadership, and M.A. in Mathematics Education.  

In these programs, you’ll learn to:

• Synthesize research information obtained from multiple sources.
• Research complex educational issues.
• Gather information on a research topic from multiple sources.
• Evaluate research evidence for weaknesses, inconsistencies, biases, and other problems.
• Evaluate primary and secondary sources of research.
• Develop materials and methods for data collection, analysis, and retention.

WGU’s Leavitt School of Health offers a wide array of nursing degrees. For instance, you can learn health -related skills with our M.S. in Nursing or our Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing programs where you’ll learn to: 

• Use scientific knowledge to evaluate the validity of a claim.
• Present synthesized research data based on the health literacy level of the intended audience.
• Investigate a topic or phenomenon to provide optimal care.
• Develop evidence-based processes to decrease the cost of care.
• Consider research in response to innovative healthcare challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific skills are included in research skills.

Research skills include the following abilities:

• Information gathering
• Critical thinking 
• Data analysis 
• Problem-solving
• Literature review
• Effective communication

How can research skills benefit my career?

Research skills equip you to understand industry trends, evaluate market dynamics, and make informed decisions, which helps build your career. 

By enhancing your strategic thinking, problem-solving, and innovative capabilities, research skills not only differentiate you as a professional but also prime you for leadership roles. Simply put, research skills transform you into a strategic asset for your organization, instrumental in guiding your team and business toward sustained success.

How can I improve my research skills?

Follow these tips to improve your research skills:

• Familiarize yourself with research methodologies and tools.
• Develop effective information-gathering techniques and utilize reliable sources.
• Enhance your knowledge of data collection methods for research.
• Stay updated with current literature in your field of interest.
• Seek opportunities to engage in research projects, collaborate with others, and present your findings.
• Attend workshops, courses, or seminars on research methodology.

Can research skills be applied outside of academia and the workplace?

Research skills can be applied in personal decision-making, pursuing hobbies or personal projects, and making choices in everyday life. 

For example, if your hobby is home decor, you can research different styles and trends on Instagram and Pinterest to improve your living space. Additionally, WGU offers a vast online library that is a valuable resource for students. This online library provides access to a wide range of academic journals, books, articles, and other scholarly materials that are essential for conducting research.

You can also employ online research skills to set up a new appliance or fix something in your house like a broken gadget.

Find Your Degree

Discovering the right degree program that aligns with your goals is a crucial step. You can begin the journey toward achieving personal growth and advancement. Take our degree quiz to help you identify the degree program that best suits your interests and embark on a path of knowledge and future success.

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Home › Study Tips › 11 Tips to Improve Your Research Skills for Academic Success

11 Tips to Improve Your Research Skills for Academic Success

• Published May 24, 2024

Strong research skills are a must-have skill for academic success. Why are research skills important?

They’re essential for academic success. You need them for all term papers, research reports, and assignments. These skills also help to deepen your understanding of all the topics in your curriculum. 

By design, research questions are not answerable by simple Google searches. They require planning, hypothesis evaluation, data or information analysis, critical thinking, information synthesis, logical and well-thought-out presentation, and more.

With these skills, you can produce credible, logical, accurate, and plagiarism-free research efficiently and promptly. 

Moreover, being a skilled researcher is not only necessary for academic success. It is a lifelong competency that would remain helpful in your future career and personal life. 

Some tips you can adopt to improve your research skills include understanding the research process, using library resources, effectively searching the internet, adopting proper citation and referencing, developing your analytical skills, managing time efficiently, utilising academic support services, enhancing your note-taking capabilities, using primary sources only, and avoiding confirmation bias. 

Below, we examine these strategies to help you improve your research skills. 

1. Always Create a Research Strategy Document

Think of strategy as a roadmap highlighting how you want to attack the research problem. We believe creating a strategy before diving knee-deep into research provides clarity and saves you time.

Some of the constituents of the strategy document include:

• Research goals
• Research deadline
• Rewriting the research problem the way you understand it, in your own words and simple terms. Then, translate the research problem into a research question. “HR managers are struggling to attract and keep top talent with top talent spending an average of 6 months in each role” is an example of a research problem, while “What strategies and techniques can HR managers adopt to better attract and retain top talents?” is an example of a research question.  
• Outline the major outcomes the research must fulfil. For example, “The research must provide a nexus between company actions and top talent loyalty, in addition to providing actionable tips for HR managers.”  
• Identify the type of research you’re doing. There are three categories of research: basic vs applied, exploratory vs explanatory, and inductive vs deductive research. 
• Findings from preliminary research. We recommend quick preliminary research to see the resources, including scholarly knowledge, readily available in the public domain. This step can help identify a new angle to pursue your research from or drop if you reckon other researchers and authors have adequately dealt with the question, preventing you from wasting time and resources on research that adds no additional value to the body of existing knowledge. 

2. Understand the Research Process

The research process consists of six major stages, including topic selection, literature evaluation, refining the research topic, relevant information gathering (could also include sampling and recruitment, depending on the topic or research focus), data analysis, and knitting everything together. 

Topic Selection

Sometimes, your tutor may provide the research topic. However, you’ll likely need to work with your supervisor to choose a topic for your thesis and undergrad projects. 

For your choice of research topic, it’s imperative to think of your current interests and future ambitions. 

Beyond top grades, your undergrad research may serve as evidence of your interest in a particular area and be helpful for future academic and career progression. 

Every research topic or question starts from a broad problem statement, which you can then fine-tune after exploring the existing body of knowledge in that field. 

Overall, a great topic has the following characteristics:

• Focused on a single issue. However, you may subdivide the issue into several interconnected but related problem statements.
• Researchable with credible sources. For example, requiring proprietary data that is not readily available may seriously hamper your success. 
• Feasible and specific. Additionally, ensure that you have adequate time and resources to complete the study before the due date. 
• Avoids value judgement questions like “Is vitamin D better than magnesium in treating bone issues?”
• Not close-ended such that the answer is a simple yes or no. The lack of clear answers provides room for robust investigation and is where your arguments shine. 
• The answer to your question should not be readily available. It must require rigorous work and iterative problem-solving to complete. 
• The topic must be original and address a relevant industry or niche problem. Originality doesn’t mean other researchers haven’t attempted something similar but that you’re presenting a new angle. 

Literature Review

The goals of conducting the literature review include:

• To ensure other researchers haven’t answered the research question before and that the study will contribute significant value to the existing body of knowledge.
• To identify gaps in existing works and determine how your project will fill that gap. In essence, the research must considerably add to existing knowledge or improve on earlier methodologies. Without meeting these standards, most research journals will not accept your work. 
• The third goal is to help you evaluate the research methods, research design, data sources, and key concepts other researchers adopted for their work. 

A literature review is a lot of work and requires scouring through numerous academic journals, books, and online publications. 

You can leverage AI tools like Elicit AI, Research Rabbit, Semantic Scholar, and Connected Papers to find papers, summarise studies, conduct citation-based mapping, find similar research papers, and more. 

Refine Research Topic

Armed with more information, context, potential data sources, availability of reliable and credible data, and the scope of work required from your literature review, you often need to refine your topic. 

For example, your research question may be too narrow if you find very few credible papers and books on the subject. Your research topic could also be suffering from being too broad. 

You can finetune a broad project topic by asking the why, what, who, where, and when questions. 

Which group of people are you targeting for the research? What geographic location would the study be limited to? Why do you think the research is relevant? What period would you limit the research to?

For example, “What will be the impact of climate change in the United Kingdom?” is quite broad. What kind of impact are we talking about? Economic? Migration? Health? 

A more specific variant of the question would be: “How will climate change affect net migration between the UK coastline and major cities in the next 20 years?” 

Data Gathering

Collecting data is the heart of the research process. This step allows you to gather variables essential for reaching conclusions. Depending on your research question, these variables can either be qualitative (non-numerical) or quantitative (numerical). 

You may gather data through one or more of the following methods:

Surveys are a series of questions used to extract specific data from a sample of the target population. When running surveys, you should take note of the following:

• Sample size: Ensure the number of participants adequately represents the population. 
• Bias: Ensure the questions do not tilt respondents in a particular direction or the sampling is not based on subjective measures. For example, assuming the age of shoppers who walk into a store can lead to bias. 
• Ambiguity and clarity: Avoid ambiguous questions that are prone to personal interpretation. “Do you drink plenty of alcohol during the week?” is subjective because the answer depends on who you ask. 
• Resource management: The larger the sample size, the more expensive and time-consuming the survey process is. 

Experiments

Experiments will be your go-to research method if you’re in any natural and physical sciences programme. It’s easier to establish a cause-and-effect relationship with experiments than with surveys. 

A typical example of an experiment involves splitting test subjects into a control and an experimental group. The researchers then give the latter group a medicine, drug, or treatment or subject them to changes. 

The researchers then evaluate the two groups for a specific variable. If the variable varies significantly, then suffice it to say that the changes made to the experimental group are responsible for the significant differences in the observed variable. 

Observational Studies

Observational studies are more popular in social sciences for obvious reasons. They involve going to the field to observe the attitudes and behaviours of a specific group in the natural habitat. 

Observational studies may either be participant observation or nonparticipant observation. The former involves the researcher staying in the same habit as the group they’re observing, while the latter is the reverse. 

Participant observation may influence how the target population acts. So, it’s imperative to conduct the study such that your presence is not disruptive to the data collection process. 

Existing Data

In every sector or industry, there’s existing data that can help with your research. Need economic activity data on the UK? The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is perhaps the most credible primary source on the subject matter. 

What about data on the UK environment? The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs data services platform (DSP) is your best bet. 

Beyond facts and figures, court records, medical records (without personally identifiable information), and police interview tapes can also be excellent sources of information. 

Data Analysis

You have gathered all the data you need to answer your research question. Now, this is where you begin to look for clues, determine relationships between variables, establish trends, find patterns, and more. 

For numerical variables, you’ll need complex statistical techniques to extract insights from the data. Tools like Statistical Analysis System (SAS), R, Python, MS Excel, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) can help with quantitative data analysis. 

Some tools can help with most qualitative methodological techniques. Examples of these tools include nVivo and ATLAS.ti. It’s imperative to note that while these tools are helpful, you’ll need to put on your sound critical thinking cap to ensure your analysis is accurate. 

Result Discussion

The data analysis above will provide evidence to prove or disprove your hypothesis or question. The discussion section helps you convey these results in a deeper conversation. 

What results do you have? What are the implications of such results? How relevant are the results from both a statistical point of view and practical applications? 

These and many more questions are the answers this section should provide. Furthermore, share the limitations of your research and potential avenues for further exploration. 

If there’s any additional tip we would leave you with here is to stay with the facts and provide your findings in context with previous studies. Doing this strengthens your argument and makes your research more credible and citable. 

3. Use Library Resources

Librarians curate only authoritative and credible sources. These sources include books, journals, and databases. 

Another benefit of using library resources is that they are organised, making it easy for you to find the resources you need. 

As a college student, you should never pay out of pocket for any resource. Your school library probably already provides access to that resource. If not, you can make a request, and it’ll most likely be granted. 

So, what kind of resources are available?

• A searchable library catalogue tool, basically a search engine for academic sources
• Access to third-party databases
• Extensive collection of e-books
• Access to conference papers, newspaper articles, and other credible publications
• Subject Librarian to help you with resources not in the library catalogue
• Reference management tools and resources on how to use them

Tips to Search Databases

• Use the truncation symbol (*) and the wildcard symbol (?) to broaden your search to ensure you do not miss out on relevant results due to spelling or plural versions. For example, “agricultur*” will provide search results that include the following words: agriculture, agricultural, and agriculturalist. “Lab?r” will search for resources with both “labor” and “labour” in them. 
• Use boolean operators. We discuss this extensively below. The same principles apply here. 
• Use inverted commas to search for a specific phrase together. We also explain this below. 
• Leverage proximity search: This tells the database to return results that have words within certain distances from each other. For example, typing “labour same union” on Web of Science returns publications with “labour” and “union” in the same sentence. Typing “labour union ~4” on JSTOR retrieves records where “labour” and “union” are only separated by four words. 
• Combine the methods above to create more sophisticated search queries.

4. Effective Internet Research

The internet is a treasure trove of information and resources. That said, you must be cautious of every page on the internet, especially in the age of AI content. 

Every source for a research project must be up-to-date, factual, unbiased, and from a credible source. True story: we’ve seen students quote data from satirical publications. 

Moreover, most pages on the internet don’t go through a review process and may be rife with misinformation. 

Just because a page appears on number one of your search results doesn’t make it a great resource. The article author or publisher may just be great at search engine optimization. 

Assessing a Website’s Credibility and Accuracy

Many people create websites to make money. While some provide some measure of value, others simply do not care. 

Moreover, some of these websites may present information from the owner or author’s bias. For the most part, it’s best to stick with non-academic resources provided by government agencies and reputable organisations. 

You can evaluate a website’s credibility by examining:

• The About Us page: Who or which group owns the website? What are their goals?
• The author bio: Who’s the author, and what’s their qualification and experience to authoritatively speak on the subject? You may do further Google and social media (LinkedIn in particular) investigations to assess the author’s qualifications. 
• Domain ownership: Use whois.net to track who owns a website. This information may or may not be available. 
• Articles dates and recency: Avoid undated websites and articles using dated facts to draw recent conclusions.  

Internet Search Techniques

Here are a few techniques to help you find relevant pages that answer your search queries. 

Use Inverted Commas

Search engines will treat each word in your search query as individual keywords without inverted commas. 

So, you may get web pages that only contain the term “anatomy” or only “heart” if you type heart anatomy without quotation marks.

However, encasing your keyword in quotation marks, like this: “heart anatomy” only returns results with the exact phrase, thus providing fewer web pages to examine. 

Boolean Operators

Boolean operators include AND, OR, and NOT. They can be a powerful way to hone in on the sources you need. 

Boolean Operators 

Example 

Search result includes web pages containing keywords joined by AND

“Traffic data” AND “London” 

Search result includes pages with one or all the keywords linked by OR

“Manager” OR “Coordinator” 

NOT or – 

Excludes web pages with a particular term from the search result. Helpful when a term skews your search results

-animal or “NOT animal”

Used to include a term that must be included in the results. Helpful for narrowing a broad search query

2024 United Kingdom Elections report +fraud +voting pattern

Brackets ()

Powerful for combining boolean operators. Helpful when a keyword also has a popular synonyms or alternative

Project (manager OR coordinator)

Site: 

Provide search results from the website you provide only. Helpful when searching a website like the ONS for data

site: https://www.ons.gov.uk/

Search Engine Tools

Search engines have additional tools to help you refine your search. Google, for example, has tools to limit the results to those published within a specified date range. 

You may also limit results to a particular file type, such as images, books, videos, and news. 

Use Different Search Engines

Each search engine has its own unique algorithms (set of rules to arrange web pages in search results). Trying a new search engine may just be the trick you need. 

Examples of other search engines to try include:

• www.duckduckgo.com
• www.bing.com
• www.ask.com

Use Google’s Advanced Search Tool

Google’s advanced search tool allows you to enter multiple parameters to refine your search. Behind the hood, the tool simplifies the use of boolean operators. Instead of typing boolean operators, you simply enter terms in textboxes. 

You can specify other parameters like the last time the authors updated the website, region to target, and language. 

5. Citation and referencing

Any idea, words, data, images, infographic, or information you take from any source requires a reference. Without citations, you’re practically stealing someone else’s ideas and thoughts. 

Many schools have strict rules against plagiarism, including formal warnings, suspension, admission withdrawal, and other penalties. 

Aside from helping you avoid plagiarism, citations also make your work more authoritative and persuasive. 

There are multiple referencing styles, including AMS (American Meteorological Society), APA (American Psychological Association), Chicago, Harvard, MHRA (Modern Humanities Research Association), OSCOLA (Oxford Standard for the Citation of Legal Authorities), and others. 

Your student handbook will usually provide which of the above styles your programme uses. 

Tips For Managing Citations and References

• Make a list of your references and cite them as you write.
• Add notes to each reference, highlighting the sections, paragraphs, and pages you’re most interested in.
• Be consistent with the reference style you use. 
• Familiarise yourself with the project’s reference style.
• Use referencing tools. Examples include EndNote, Zotero or Mendeley. Practice with the program to ensure you know the type of information required and where to input it.

6. Develop Analytical Skills

Per the Rockwell Career Centre, “ analytical skills are problem-solving skills that help you parse data and information to develop creative, rational solutions.”

Analytical skills are essential to every step of the research process, especially in objectively analysing the problem and the result of your experiments. 

Analytical skills require critical reasoning, understanding different concepts (including complex and abstract ones), explaining or articulating your thoughts, applying what you read to tackle problems, and much more. 

Strategies for analysing and synthesising information

1. gain foundational knowledge.

Nothing strengthens your ability to critically analyse the data you’ve gathered than having a solid grasp of the basic concepts in the area you’re investigating. 

For example, you can’t discuss recidivism without understanding the court and prison process.  

2. Create an information matrix

An information matrix is a table that helps organise your sources by major themes. Identifying key ideas from sources is an integral part of information synthesis. 

Here’s an example with five sources:

Theme 

Quality time

Words of affirmation

Acts of service

Physical touch

For each source, enter what they say about each major theme you identified. Leave the corresponding cell blank if a source is mute on a theme. 

Create a new row if any of the sources present a compelling key theme that aligns with your research. 

3. Summarise and Paraphrase the Original Source

Summarise and paraphrase important ideas and quotations you lift from sources. This primarily means presenting your original thoughts and interpretation of the content in the source. 

To paraphrase, you must understand the original source. So, this is good practice for information synthesis. If you’re struggling to paraphrase or summarise an idea, maybe you do not understand it yet. 

Doing this keeps quotes to a minimum, which can help you achieve better grades. Additionally, it promotes the use of your own voice more and to avoid plagiarism. 

4. Improve your comprehension skills

Some of the ways you can improve your comprehension skills include:

• Broadening your vocabulary often by reading widely and critically
• Recollecting the main points and critical details about the text from memory
• Reading in a distraction-free environment
• Slow down and embrace active reading. The Open University defines active reading as “ reading something with a determination to understand and evaluate it for its relevance to your needs.” This process involves highlighting key texts, raising questions, explaining the text to others, self-testing with flashcards or help from a colleague, and more. 
• Summarising and identifying key ideas

5. Identify the Context of Each Source

While two papers may speak about the same topic, they may approach the subject from totally opposite angles. This makes it hard to do an apples-to-apples comparison. Identifying the context helps you avoid this pitfall. 

7. Time Management in Research

Strategies and tips for effecting time management in research include:

1. Setting Realistic and Attainable Goals

Earlier, we mentioned how it’s imperative to choose a research topic that you can complete within the deadline provided by your tutor. Doing otherwise will only lead to poor time management. While you may complete the research, other areas may suffer. 

2. Fix Regular Schedule

Creating a schedule helps you devote ample time to the research daily. Consistent attention is better than last-minute rushes. A regular schedule helps avoid procrastination, interruptions, and lack of discipline.  

How many hours you commit daily will depend on your other commitments and the research deadline. It’s important to design your schedule such that you’ve completed your research report far ahead of the deadline. 

3. Incorporate Task Lists for Each Block of Time

Approach each block of time you schedule with a task list. Doing so helps you focus and prioritise important tasks. 

4. Avoid Multitasking

Focus on one task at a time and finish the same before doing something else. Multitasking is often unproductive and can be a source of stress when you fail to achieve anything noteworthy. 

5. Leverage Technology

Tools for project management, to-do lists, and calendar apps can help you implement the time management strategies shared above and help you stay organised.  

6. Ask For Help

Ask for help from your tutor, coursemates, and librarian whenever you’re stuck. Also, use the numerous free resources available to you. 

7. Take Breaks and Reward Yourself 

Bake breaks into your schedule to alleviate stress and ensure you operate optimally. Additionally, reward yourself for completing the tasks on your to-do lists. 

8. Utilise Academic Support Services

Most universities offer programs to help students achieve academic success, including those geared towards how to conduct research and improve research skills.  

If you’re unaware of the academic support services on offer, it’s important to ask. There’s no shame in asking for help. You’d be amazed at how much help these centres offer. 

One of the best ways to identify the areas you need to work on is to ask your tutor for feedback and help. 

Typical academic support services include:

• Writing guidance
• Peer tutoring
• After-school programmes
• Counselling
• Academic monitoring
• Experiential learning

9. Enhance Note-Taking Techniques

Note-taking is essential during research projects as it’s a vital tool for information synthesis. Note-taking helps you organise the points in the sources you’re reading. It also helps avoid being overwhelmed by the volume of resources you must review. 

Here are some tips to make note-taking fruitful:

1. Think Of Your Research Goals

Your research goals will determine what you prioritise during note-taking. There’s no point in extensive note-taking if the content doesn’t help you strengthen your arguments or answer your research question. 

2. Use Headings, Subheadings, and Numbered List to Organise Key Ideas

This is similar to the information matrix we discussed above. However, this is more like a fleshed-out version. Use indenting and numbering to create idea hierarchies that distinguish major points from minor ones.  

3. Adopt One of the Many Note-Taking Methods

Examples of note-taking methods include the mapping method, the Cornell Method, the sentence method, and the outlining method. Diving into each of these techniques is beyond the scope of this article.  

4. Use Colours and Symbols

Create a colour code for identifying themes and crucial sections. You may also underline important keywords or circle data points that buttress certain themes. These colours and symbols help simplify and visualise ideas. 

5. Create Linkages Between Ideas

Highlight ideas or variables that have clear relationships. The relationship can be causal or correlational. State what this relationship means for your research question. 

6. Leave Space For Future Comments And Questions

Leave room to add more information, such as comments, questions, and reactions. As you read more, you’re likely to come across new information that may challenge or buttress the ideas you found earlier. 

10. Engage with Primary Sources

You may find the answer to a search engine query in a news article or even a random article. It’s advisable and more prudent to search for the primary source. 

So the Guardian can publish details about digital imaging delays in the United Kingdom, but NHS England is the primary source of that information. You must cite the latter and not the former. 

The same applies to academic sources. A paper may make a statement and cite another author or study. You must track the other study to cite it as a separate source in your bibliography. 

One of the importance of using primary sources is the secondary source may have taken the information out of context or reported the same to fit a particular narrative. 

Reading the primary source yourself ensures you have all the contexts and the data as the primary authors presented it. 

11. Avoid Confirmation Bias 

Simply searching for papers and studies that align with your position is a limiting research strategy. 

We recommend seeking studies and sources that challenge your assertion. This is a far more enriching prospect that adds depth to your research. 

Research projects don’t necessarily have to be right or wrong but a means to provide informed arguments based on facts, logical reasoning, and strong analytical skills. 

Research studies enhance ongoing conversations, adding a new point of view to the existing body of knowledge. 

Master Research Skills for Successful Research Reports

Academic success at all levels require research skills that can translate any topic into detailed, coherent, logical, and credible reports, whether it’s quantitative or qualitative research. 

We believe the tips outlined in this article can transform your research skills, but it requires putting them into practice. 

Not only would your research skills take a leap, but other attending skills like comprehension, analytical, and how to tie information together would also improve. 

Additionally, you’ll master project management, time management, and reference management tools useful in other areas of your life. 

Do you want to dig deeper into these strategies through specialised 1-on-1 tutorials or group sessions? Immerse Education’s Online Research Programme is tailor-made for specific subject study and led by tutors from world-renowned Oxbridge and Ivy League universities.Moreover, our accredited Online Research Programme is an excellent choice for students aged 14-18 who want to improve their research skills while earning valuable UCAS points for university applications. Explore our accredited Online Research Programme today.

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Information Gathering

Introduction: Information gathering is an essential and ubiquitous process that permeates every facet of human existence. From personal curiosity to professional investigations, from academic research to strategic decision-making, the acquisition and analysis of information form the bedrock of our endeavors. Information gathering involves the systematic and purposeful collection, organization, and interpretation of data, facts, and knowledge to gain insights, make informed judgments, and uncover hidden truths. It serves as a compass, guiding individuals, businesses, and societies toward greater understanding, enabling them to adapt, innovate, and thrive in an ever-evolving world. Information gathering manifests in various forms, from traditional interviews, surveys, and literature reviews to modern techniques like web scraping, data mining, and social media analysis. It encompasses many disciplines, including journalism, market research, intelligence gathering, academic inquiry, etc. Gathering information necessitates critical thinking, discernment, and the ability to sift through vast amounts of data to extract meaningful insights. Moreover, it requires understanding the ethical considerations involved, such as privacy, consent, and the responsible use of information. In an age where information is more accessible than ever before but also susceptible to misinformation and manipulation, honing the skills and techniques of effective information gathering is of paramount importance. By harnessing the power of information, individuals and organizations can navigate the complexities of our interconnected world, make well-informed decisions, and contribute to the collective knowledge that drives progress and human understanding.

1.1 What is Information Gathering?

Information gathering refers to the systematic process of collecting, organizing, and analyzing data, facts, and knowledge from various sources to obtain insights, generate knowledge, and support decision-making. It involves seeking relevant and reliable information, examining it critically, and extracting meaningful insights to address specific objectives or answer specific questions. Information gathering can occur in numerous contexts, including academic research, journalism, market research, intelligence gathering, and everyday life situations. The process typically involves identifying sources of information, collecting data through methods such as interviews, surveys, observations, or data mining, organizing and analyzing the collected information, and drawing conclusions or making informed judgments based on the findings. Information gathering is a fundamental skill in a world where data and information are abundant but often overwhelming, and the ability to extract valuable insights is crucial for personal, professional, and societal advancement.

1.2 Process of Gathering Information.

Gathering accurate and relevant data is crucial for making informed decisions and conducting thorough research. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply seeking knowledge, understanding the information-gathering process is a valuable skill. Gathering information typically involves several steps to ensure that you collect accurate and relevant data. Here is a general framework for the process:

1. Defining your information needs : The first step in the process is clearly defining your needs. Ask yourself what specific information you require and why you need it. By clearly understanding your objectives, you can narrow your search and avoid wasting time and effort on irrelevant data. Establishing a well-defined research question or objective will serve as a guide throughout the process.

2. Identifying credible sources:  Once you have identified your information needs, the next step is to determine the most credible and reliable sources . These can include academic journals, books, reputable websites, subject-matter experts, interviews, surveys, and databases. It is important to critically evaluate the credibility and relevance of each source, considering factors such as author expertise, publication reputation, and the presence of peer review.

3. Developing a research plan: A research plan is essential for an organized and systematic gathering of information. Define your research techniques, such as literature review , experiments, observations, interviews, or surveys. Outline a timeline, set realistic goals, and allocate necessary resources. A well-structured plan will help you stay focused and ensure you cover all relevant aspects of your research.

4. Collecting data: With your research plan, you can begin collecting the necessary data from your identified sources. Follow your plan diligently, keeping track of the information you gather. This may involve reading books and articles, conducting experiments or observations, interviewing experts, or administering surveys. Take accurate notes and record all relevant details, including source citations for future reference.

5. Evaluating the quality of information: As you collect data, critically evaluate its quality and relevance. Consider the credibility and reputation of the sources, the methodology employed in studies or experiments, and any potential biases that may influence the data. Scrutinize the information for accuracy, consistency, and objectivity. This step is vital in ensuring that you gather reliable and unbiased information.

6. Organizing and analyzing the data: Once you have collected the data, organize it in a structured manner to facilitate analysis. Create a system that suits your research objectives, such as categorizing information, developing spreadsheets or databases, or using specialized software tools. Employ appropriate analysis techniques, whether statistical analysis, qualitative coding, or other methods relevant to your research. Extract meaningful insights and identify patterns or relationships within the data.

7. Drawing conclusions and making inferences: Based on your analysis, conclude and make inferences about the information you have gathered. Evaluate the significance and implications of your findings in relation to your research objectives. Identify any gaps or limitations in the data and acknowledge them in your conclusions. If necessary, consider conducting further research or seeking additional sources to address any remaining uncertainties.

8. Communicating your findings: The final step is to communicate your findings effectively. Choose a suitable format, such as a research report, presentation, or article, depending on your intended audience. Clearly articulate your research question, methodology, and key findings. Use visuals, graphs, or charts to enhance the presentation of your data. Tailor your communication to your audience’s knowledge level and interests, ensuring that the information is accessible and understandable to them.

Gathering information is a systematic and iterative journey that requires careful planning, critical evaluation, and analytical thinking. Following the steps outlined in this article can enhance your ability to gather accurate and relevant data for various purposes. Whether you’re a student conducting research or a professional making informed decisions, mastering this process will empower you with valuable insights and ensure that you are well-informed in an information-driven world.

1.3 Information Gathering Techniques.

Information-gathering techniques are essential for collecting data and gathering insights for various purposes. These techniques encompass various methods and approaches that enable individuals and organizations to access, analyze, and interpret information effectively. Whether it is for academic research, market analysis, problem-solving, or decision-making, understanding and employing appropriate information-gathering techniques can greatly enhance the quality and depth of the information acquired. In this article, we will explore some commonly used techniques and their applications, providing you with a comprehensive overview of how to gather information in different contexts efficiently.

1. Literature Review: The literature review technique systematically reviews and analyzes existing research, publications, and academic articles related to a specific topic. It helps to identify key concepts, theories, and gaps in knowledge. By thoroughly examining relevant literature, you can build a solid foundation for your research, gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, and discover valuable references for further exploration.

2. Surveys and Questionnaires: Surveys and questionnaires are widely used to gather participant data. They provide a structured framework for collecting quantitative and qualitative information. Surveys can be conducted through various means, such as online platforms, email, or in-person interviews. By designing well-crafted questions and ensuring a representative sample, surveys can provide valuable insights, opinions, and attitudes of the target population.

3. Interviews: Interviews are a powerful information-gathering technique allowing in-depth exploration and understanding of a topic. They involve engaging individuals or experts directly through face-to-face, phone, or video interviews. Interviews provide an opportunity to ask open-ended questions, probe deeper into specific areas, and gain unique perspectives. The information obtained through interviews adds a human touch to the data, providing nuanced insights that other methods may not capture.

4. Observations: Observation techniques involve directly observing and documenting events, behaviors, or phenomena in natural settings. This method is particularly useful in anthropology, sociology, and psychology. Through careful observation, researchers can capture detailed information, patterns, and interactions that might not be apparent through other means. Whether through participant or non-participant observation, this technique offers a rich source of qualitative data.

5. Data Mining and Analysis: Data mining refers to extracting patterns, trends, and insights from large datasets. Data mining has become an invaluable technique in various industries with the advent of technology and advanced software tools. Researchers can uncover hidden patterns and correlations by employing statistical analysis, machine learning algorithms, and data visualization techniques, enabling informed decision-making and predictive modeling.

6. Focus Groups: Focus groups involve bringing together a small group of individuals with shared characteristics or experiences to discuss a specific topic. This technique encourages open discussions, idea generation, and exploration of different perspectives. Focus groups provide qualitative data, allowing researchers to delve into participants’ thoughts, opinions, and emotions in a collaborative environment. The interactive nature of focus groups can yield rich insights and uncover underlying motivations.

7. Online Research and Social Media Analysis: With the proliferation of digital platforms and social media, online research and social media analysis have become valuable information-gathering techniques. Researchers can gain real-time insights into public opinions, consumer behavior, and emerging patterns by monitoring online conversations, analyzing user-generated content, and studying social media trends. This technique is particularly useful in marketing research, reputation management, and understanding online communities.

8. Case Studies: Case studies involve an in-depth analysis of a particular individual, group, organization, or situation. They provide a detailed examination of real-life scenarios, offering insights into complex issues and their context-specific dynamics. Researchers gather information through interviews, observations, and document analysis. Case studies are particularly useful in business, psychology, and social sciences.

9. Ethnographic Research: Ethnographic research involves immersing oneself in a specific cultural or social setting to deeply understand the community or group under study. Researchers spend extended periods observing, participating, and interacting with individuals in their natural environment. This technique helps uncover cultural norms, social structures, and behaviors that may not be easily understood through other methods.

10. Document Analysis: Document analysis involves examining written materials, such as reports, publications, official records, and historical documents, to gather information. Researchers critically evaluate and extract relevant data from these sources. Document analysis is often used in historical research, legal studies, and content analysis. It allows researchers to gain insights from existing information and draw conclusions based on documented evidence.

11. Web Scraping: Web scraping is a technique automatically extracting information from websites. It involves using software tools or programming scripts to navigate web pages, collect data, and store it in a structured format. Web scraping can be useful for gathering data from multiple sources, monitoring competitors, tracking market trends, and conducting sentiment analysis.

12. Participatory Research: Participatory research involves actively involving individuals or communities being studied in the research process. It emphasizes collaboration and the co-creation of knowledge. Researchers work together with participants, respecting their expertise and insights. This approach ensures that the information gathered reflects the perspectives and experiences of those directly involved, leading to more meaningful and actionable results.

Information gathering is a multidimensional process that employs various techniques to collect, analyze, and interpret data effectively. Each technique offers unique advantages and insights, from literature reviews and surveys to interviews, observations, and data mining. By understanding and utilizing these techniques, individuals and organizations can uncover valuable information, make informed decisions, and drive innovation. However, it’s important to remember that information gathering is not a one-size-fits-all approach. The choice of techniques should be guided by the specific research objectives, the nature of the data needed, and the context in which the information will be applied. With a well-rounded toolkit of information gathering techniques, individuals can confidently navigate the ever-expanding sea of information and harness its power to generate knowledge and drive positive change.

Reference Articles:

• Thammanna, H. N. (2017). Information gathering habits of contemporary Kannada Writers an analytical study. Retrieved from: http://hdl.handle.net/10603/206403

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How to Gather Information for Your Research Smartly

A graduate student who works with me once remarked that he “wasn’t very good at doing literature searches.” I replied that researchers often spend as much time in the library as they do in the lab, and that he had better hone his skills at gathering information if he wanted to make a career as a researcher. When it comes to gathering information for research papers or research programs, it’s important to be as efficient as possible in order to free up more time for actual research and writing . Here are some of the best ways I have found to gather information smartly.

Keyword Searches

It has never been easier to do literature searches if you know how to use the Boolean system for keywords—keyword1 “and” keyword2; plus keyword1 “or” keyword2. The former narrows a search that might otherwise generate too many responses to manage; the latter broadens a search when you are uncertain which keywords might be used in articles of interest. An author’s name might substitute for one or more keywords. There are many combinations using advanced search options and a little experimentation will give you a feel for what works best to pull up articles of interest.

Citation Searches

Guessing at keywords can be a hit or miss affair. Searching for citations is often a simpler way to locate references in an area of interest. If there is a key paper in an area, subsequent researchers will reference it in their papers. Searching for citations will generate publications that may be of interest, not only for research ideas but to include as references an eventual research paper . This can be a real shortcut when it comes to documenting past work. Of course, a really key paper will be cited so often that you may need to narrow the search with “and” keywords or pick a citation in a narrower area.

Abstracting services can be a time saver to keep up to date with the literature. The CA Selects service offered by Chemical Abstracts is one I have used. It offers current abstracts on thirty-three topics ranging from adhesives to zeolites. This is a cost effective way for a whole research group to stay up to date on several topics. In graduate school our group leader subscribed to five topics in areas of silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, and halogen chemistry. Each abstract would circulate by turn to each of ten group members, to be checked off and handed on to the next person. Our group leader touted CA Selects as a “relatively painless way to stay current in research,” and for people who are good at skimming abstracts I agree.

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Home Market Research Research Tools and Apps

Research Skills: What they are and Benefits

Research skills play a vital role in the success of any research project, enabling individuals to navigate the vast sea of information, analyze data critically, and draw meaningful conclusions. Whether conducting academic research, professional investigations, or personal inquiries, strong research skills are essential for obtaining accurate and reliable results.

LEARN ABOUT:   Research Process Steps

By understanding and developing these skills, individuals can embark on their research endeavors with confidence, integrity, and the capability to make meaningful contributions in their chosen fields. This article will explore the importance of research skills and discuss critical competencies necessary for conducting a research project effectively.

Content Index

What are Research Skills?

Important research skills for research project, benefits of research skills.

• Improving your Research Skills

Talk to Experts to Improve Skills

Research skills are the capability a person carries to create new concepts and understand the use of data collection. These skills include techniques, documentation, and interpretation of the collected data. Research is conducted to evaluate hypotheses and share the findings most appropriately. Research skills improve as we gain experience.

To conduct efficient research, specific research skills are essential. These skills are necessary for companies to develop new products and services or enhance existing products. To develop good research skills is important for both the individual as well as the company.

When undertaking a research project, one must possess specific important skills to ensure the project’s success and accuracy. Here are some essential research skills that are crucial for conducting a project effectively:

Time Management Skills:

Time management is an essential research skill; it helps you break down your project into parts and enables you to manage it easier. One can create a dead-line oriented plan for the research project and assign time for each task. Time management skills include setting goals for the project, planning and organizing functions as per their priority, and efficiently delegating these tasks.

Communication Skills:

These skills help you understand and receive important information and also allow you to share your findings with others in an effective manner. Active listening and speaking are critical skills for solid communication. A researcher must have good communication skills.

Problem-Solving:  

The ability to handle complex situations and business challenges and come up with solutions for them is termed problem-solving. To problem-solve, you should be able to fully understand the extent of the problem and then break it down into smaller parts. Once segregated into smaller chunks, you can start thinking about each element and analyze it to find a solution.

Information gathering and attention to detail:

Relevant information is the key to good research design . Searching for credible resources and collecting information from there will help you strengthen your research proposal and drive you to solutions faster. Once you have access to information, paying close attention to all the details and drawing conclusions based on the findings is essential.

Research Design and Methodology :

Understanding research design and methodology is essential for planning and conducting a project. Depending on the research question and objectives, researchers must select appropriate research methods, such as surveys, experiments, interviews, or case studies. Proficiency in designing research protocols, data collection instruments, and sampling strategies is crucial for obtaining reliable and valid results.

Data Collection and Analysis :

Researchers should be skilled in collecting and analyzing data accurately. It involves designing data collection instruments, collecting data through various methods, such as surveys or observations, and organizing and analyzing the collected data using appropriate statistical or qualitative analysis techniques. Proficiency in using software tools like SPSS, Excel, or qualitative analysis software can be beneficial.

By developing and strengthening these research skills, researchers can enhance the quality and impact of their research process, contributing to good research skills in their respective fields.

Research skills are invaluable assets that can benefit individuals in various aspects of their lives. Here are some key benefits of developing and honing research skills:

Boosts Curiosity :

Curiosity is a strong desire to know things and a powerful learning driver. Curious researchers will naturally ask questions that demand answers and will stop in the search for answers. Interested people are better listeners and are open to listening to other people’s ideas and perspectives, not just their own.

Cultivates Self-awareness :

As well as being aware of other people’s subjective opinions, one must develop the importance of research skills and be mindful of the benefits of awareness research; we are exposed to many things while researching. Once we start doing research, the benefit from it reflects on the beliefs and attitudes and encourages them to open their minds to other perspectives and ways of looking at things.

Effective Communication:

Research skills contribute to practical communication skills by enhancing one’s ability to articulate ideas, opinions, and findings clearly and coherently. Through research, individuals learn to organize their thoughts, present evidence-based arguments, and effectively convey complex information to different audiences. These skills are crucial in academic research settings, professional environments, and personal interactions.

Personal and Professional Growth :

Developing research skills fosters personal and professional growth by instilling a sense of curiosity, intellectual independence, and a lifelong learning mindset. Research encourages individuals to seek knowledge, challenge assumptions, and embrace intellectual growth. These skills also enhance adaptability as individuals become adept at navigating and assimilating new information, staying updated with the latest developments, and adjusting their perspectives and strategies accordingly.

Academic Success:

Research skills are essential for academic research success. They enable students to conduct thorough literature reviews, gather evidence to support their arguments, and critically evaluate existing research. By honing their research skills, students can produce well-structured, evidence-based essays, projects, and dissertations demonstrating high academic research rigor and analytical thinking.

Professional Advancement:

Research skills are highly valued in the professional world. They are crucial for conducting market research, analyzing trends, identifying opportunities, and making data-driven decisions. Employers appreciate individuals who can effectively gather and analyze information, solve complex problems, and provide evidence-based recommendations. Research skills also enable professionals to stay updated with advancements in their field, positioning themselves as knowledgeable and competent experts.

Developing and nurturing research skills can significantly benefit individuals in numerous aspects of their lives, enabling them to thrive in an increasingly information-driven world.

Improving Your Research Skills

There are many things you can do to improve your research skills and utilize them in your research or day job. Here are some examples:

• Develop Information Literacy: Strengthening your information literacy skills is crucial for conducting thorough research. It involves identifying reliable sources, evaluating the credibility of information, and navigating different research databases.
• Enhance Critical Thinking: Critical thinking is an essential skill for effective research. It involves analyzing information, questioning assumptions, and evaluating arguments. Practice critical analysis by analyzing thoughtfully, identifying biases, and considering alternative perspectives.
• Master Research Methodologies: Familiarize yourself with different research methodologies relevant to your field. Whether it’s qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods research, realizing the strengths and limitations of each approach is crucial.
• Practice Effective Time Management: Research requires dedicated time and effort. Develop good time management skills to ensure that you allocate sufficient time for each stage of the research process, including planning, data collection, analysis, and writing.
• Embrace Collaboration: Collaborating with peers and colleagues can provide a fresh perspective and enrich your research experience. Engage in discussions, share ideas, and seek feedback from others. Collaborative projects allow for exchanging knowledge and skills.
• Continuously Update Your Knowledge: Stay informed about your field’s latest developments and advancements. Regularly read scholarly articles, attend conferences, and follow reputable sources of information to stay up to date with current research trends.

There is plenty of information available on the internet about every topic; hence, learning skills to know which information is relevant and credible is very important. Today most search engines have the feature of advanced search, and you can customize the search as per your preference. Once you learn this skill, it will help you find information. 

Experts possess a wealth of knowledge, experience, and insights that can significantly enhance your understanding and abilities in conducting research. Experts have often encountered numerous challenges and hurdles throughout their research journey and have developed effective problem-solving techniques. Engaging with experts is a highly effective approach to improving research skills.

Moreover, experts can provide valuable feedback and constructive criticism on your research work. They can offer fresh perspectives, identify areas for improvement, and help you refine your research questions, methodology, and analysis.

At QuestionPro, we can help you with the necessary tools to carry out your projects, and we have created the following free resources to help you in your professional growth:

• Survey Templates

Research skills are invaluable assets that empower individuals to navigate the ever-expanding realm of information, make informed decisions, and contribute to advancing knowledge. With advanced research tools and technologies like QuestionPro Survey Software, researchers have potent resources to conduct comprehensive surveys, gather data, and analyze results efficiently.

Where data-driven decision-making is crucial, research skills supported by advanced tools like QuestionPro are essential for researchers to stay ahead and make impactful contributions to their fields. By embracing these research skills and leveraging the capabilities of powerful survey software, researchers can unlock new possibilities, gain deeper insights, and pave the way for meaningful discoveries.

Authors : Gargi Ghamandi & Sandeep Kokane

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Search catalog, critical thinking and academic research: information.

• Information
• Point of View
• Assumptions
• Implications

Gather the Information

Research involves gathering and interpreting information. To answer a question or understand the complexity of an issue, you have to seek relevant information, which helps you develop your own point of view.

It's important to remember, though, that information from outside sources should not stand in for your thinking. Sometimes, people think that gathering information and summarizing it in a paper is all there is to the research process. But finding information is just part of the process.

Research involves applying critical thinking to information, whether it comes from an encyclopedia entry, a journal article, a website, or a documentary. A researcher analyzes the material and develops a perspective on it. The goal is to think critically about the information, not simply repeat its ideas.

The purpose of your research and the questions you're trying to answer will determine what information is relevant and useful. If you're trying to understand public opinion on an issue, it might be worthwhile to look at news articles and blog entries. On the other hand, such sources may not be appropriate for a formal philosophical argument or a medical study.

Sources used in academic papers might include scholarly journals, books, research reports, government documents, films, comic books, magazines, newspapers, maps, statistics, letters, diaries, dictionaries, musical recordings, and more. It all depends on your purpose.

The Complexity of the Information Universe

The information universe is very complex, so it's important to understand the differences among information sources. For instance, online information includes commercial websites, personal blogs, subscription databases, professional news sites, government resources, Wikipedia entries, Facebook profiles, Twitter feeds, YouTube videos, and much more. Different research projects require different types of sources. In many cases, you will need to look beyond the free web to find scholarly information in subscription library databases such as ProQuest Direct and EBSCO Academic Search Premier.

Understanding varying levels of complexity in information sources is also important. For example, a reference encyclopedia might provide useful background information on postmodernism, but it will not provide the level of sophistication and depth offered in an original work of postmodern theory or a scholarly article that applies that theory.

While background sources are useful and will help you understand more complex material, most professors expect you to explore in-depth, scholarly sources, most of which are not available on the free web. That's one reason why learning to use library resources is crucial.

Critical Questions

• What information do I need to address this question or understand this topic?
• How much information do I need?
• Where can I find this information?
• How do I know this information is reliable and authoritative?
• Is this information relevant to my purpose?
• Who is the audience for this information?
• What perspective does this information come from? What are its biases?
• Is the information current enough?
• " More on Evaluating Sources
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• Last Updated: Jul 10, 2023 11:50 AM
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3 Information Gathering as a Librarian

Neil Gaiman is sometimes quoted as saying, “Google can bring you back 100,000 answers. A librarian can bring you back the right one.”  [1] Librarians’ usefulness, despite the existence of computers and their processing power, has been a theme in popular culture since the introduction of computers in libraries, seen, for example, in the 1957 movie Desk Set . [2] This movie was made five years before the 1962 World’s Fair where the American Library Association (ALA) created an exhibition envisioning the 21st century library with a Univac computer, anticipating the ways technology would support information gathering. [3] The importance of human intermediaries who respond to the nuance of library users’ questions in effective and, when needed, empathetic ways, has been contrasted with inflexible computer logic since the mid-twentieth century, at the same time that technology has become more prominent as an aid to library work.

The American Library Association (ALA) offers a more technical expression of Gaiman’s much circulated statement.  From a professional standpoint, librarians are expected to “Employ techniques used to discover, retrieve, evaluate, and synthesize information from diverse sources for use by varying user populations and information environments.” [4] Whether we think about information gathering, which has also been called information retrieval , search and discovery , and even simply research , the way Gaiman does or using the ALA’s language, it involves a commitment to proficient use of information resources beyond Google.

Also, although librarians’ roles in helping library users find answers to their questions is a more commonly understood aspect of their profession, librarians also need information in order to do less public-facing aspects of their work.  Librarians need search skills and knowledge of information resources both to help less experienced searchers and to support their other professional activities.  Here we focus on the context shaping  librarians’ ability to gather information effectively, either on behalf of library users or themselves.  We are also interested in the ways these skills connect with professional competencies.  These norms involve multiple kinds of knowledge, and I want to articulate some of the concepts as a preface to your continuing development of search skills.

In addition to the techniques for getting database results, how we think about the tasks and purposes of information gathering are equally important.  A critical part of becoming an expert in the strategies of information gathering is how we think about information and what people do with it.  That knowledge will arise in multiple ways.  Certainly, we want to consider the cues of the library user in front of us, asking for our help and to ask them questions that will bring their needs to the front of our interaction.  Further, if you have expertise in a particular domain, whether law, digital humanities, or picture books, knowing the types of material available and the nature of their use will support your ability to respond meaningfully to their questions.  These are the fundamental conditions of helping library users gain access to the information they want.

When you think about the purpose of your own information gathering, consider this:  Graduate and professional education involves familiarity with the research literature of your field as a foundation for your growth in the field.  You’re not only becoming familiar with that literature; learning to assess and evaluate research information in our field is also a core professional competency.  In the course of your assignments and degree work, you are developing answers to questions like these:

• What are the schools of thought on a given topic?
• Who are the leading experts?
• How would you describe key differences of opinion in this area?
• What are the commonly agreed upon subtopics?
• Are there other fields who contribute important knowledge to our understanding?
• Are there key unresolved questions or areas for further research?

The research you do for your assignments and interests in the profession will be oriented to these questions Library users, too, will come to you as they learn how to respond to these questions in their disciplines.  I sometimes refer to the goal of searching as establishing “Knowledge not numbers;” that is, we want to know that we can answer questions accurately and well rather than reaching a certain number of citations. These ways of thinking about published information can support you as you answer a range of questions.  You may need to know how to best support the needs of library users who have disabilities as you build LibGuides.  You may have to create a rationale for certain professional development choices.  You may need to assess how many hours of staff time will be needed to open a new library to the public.  You may need to draft a new policy or procedures document for your library.  Whatever questions and problems you need to address in your professional life, it’s likely that someone else has experienced this issue, thought about it, and shared their pathway to best practices, whether in print, at a conference, or in a resource located online.  Take, for example, the Iowa public library statistics that allow us to see recent numbers for the state’s library budgets, circulation, and related matters; this gives us context and comparative information for libraries across the state, and it could allow us to compare this state’s library funding and usage to library activities in other states .  Information of all sorts is out there in the world, in libraries, and online; developing a sense of varied information resources and information worlds, as well as knowing how to access them, are key skills that librarians gain in their degree work and in practice.

Turning to established ideas is a viable starting point for many projects.  Even if the most recent professional literature is older, that tells us something and should lead us to a new question:  Why is the material dated?  Is there new terminology that has replaced the words we used in our search?  Did something else cause the reduced attention to the subject?  Even if we disagree with the direction of reasoning in the professional and research literature that we find as we search, read, and reflect, we want to acknowledge that we are in conversation with those voices and indicate why we are compelled to argue for a new direction in professional engagement.  Even if the literature seems spare, there are probably cognate fields, or those with related subject matter – like communication, education, and computer science, to name just a few — who are interested in some aspect of this question.  We need to learn the language and the terms that will help us locate the research of other people, even if they are not librarians.

Although we want to gain perspective from the individuals whose information gathering we support, we want to observe some basic principles as we support their information gathering.  We want to know how to search different vendors’ resources.  We need to be aware of specialized resources that reduce the number of results that must be evaluated, congruent with Ranganathan’s directive to “save the time of the reader.” [5]

The amount of time needed to evaluate search results, which can be reduced by strategic searches and appropriately specialized resources, responds to users’ needs.  Simply put, most people cannot spend indefinite amounts of time reading through sprawling search results, looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack.  By developing and sharing your search skills, you make possible their more efficient use of resources.  Although we introduce these concepts here, the specifics of how to do these things is the focus of another course.

Embedded in this everyday work of the profession is that we are recommending information resources to users.  We are telling them that the materials we share with them are authoritative, current, and reliable.  Our aim is to provide them with access to materials that are reputable and meaningful in the areas in which they function, whether they are studying medicine or learning to read.  Each field has its own preferences for types of information and ideas about what constitutes evidence for decision making.  We must understand those norms and standards in order to support their information gathering effectively.  Increasingly, librarians also support information gathering by helping people evaluate the material they find from non-library resources, because multiple major studies indicate that people lack skill in this area. [6]

The nature of information and information needs is simultaneously fluid and constant.  Previous news stories that highlighted then-current events, like government interventions in the availability of factual health information (the subject of the article, “What Ails Government Access to Health Information,” below) and the way state budget models preclude full funding for teacher librarians (the subject of the article “Chalkboard Heroine,” below), with their critical roles in supporting young people’s ability to access information and leisure reading materials in the public schools, are very much topical again.  Our chapter continues, with a great example of this week’s assignment and commentary by Nancy Henke, following these short articles.

What Ails Government Access to Health Information

Current comments and questions:.

The idea that politics and political views may influence information is increasingly evident as we near the first quarter mark of the twenty-first century.  With terms like fake news pervading everyday conversations and information literacy an increasing concern in our profession, few people are surprised to hear about information that is presented with a partisan slant.  When information released by the government was changed to reflect political rather than empirical perspectives in the first years of the twenty-first century, it was regarded as a serious breach of norms and ethics that the profession had to understand and protest.  Are our current actions sufficient to the ways misinformation is being propagated today?

For an accessible PDF of this article, please click this link .

Chalkboard Heroine

Many librarians have fond memories of their school libraries and the librarians who helped them during their younger years.  Too often, though, classroom teachers today aren’t supported by teacher librarians who work full-time in their buildings.  The professional and research literature in our field has studied how schools and public libraries can and should collaborate to support young learners.  These recommendations aren’t routinely acted upon.  How would you describe teachers’ professional information needs?  How can public libraries work effectively to support teachers and students when teacher librarians aren’t available in local schools?  What are public libraries’ responsibilities to young learners in areas like Houston, where school libraries are being closed and repurposed in ways antithetical to the original uses of the space?

In our work this week, we consider what kinds of information librarians need in the course of their careers and how librarians obtain information to support their knowledge of the field and the work they undertake.  We recognize that in the libraries where you work, you will need and have access to varied resources.  Those variations will involve everything from the library’s budget to its purpose.  This week’s assignment directs attention to numerous resources that help librarians with what they need to know, some of which are subscription-based (and thus accessible to you through the University Libraries), some of which are supported by your state library, and some of which you’ll find as open websites.  You’ll explore your chosen resource in order to share your analyses, following the directions for our course assignment (the assignment is shared via ICON and linked here along with the resource list , for your convenience.)  This assignment prepares you with both the resources and the means of continuing professional education after your degree work:  You’ll strengthen your knowledge and skills using recognized specialized resources, and you’ll do this work in self-directed and shared settings.

Below, you’ll see an exemplary response to this assignment by Cate Burke, who is a SLIS student and works in Iowa City’s City High School Library.  From her information gathering to her analysis to her tone, her consideration of this professional resource models strong professional knowledge and communication.

Cate Burke (Libraries, Culture, and Society, Fall 2023). 

One of my favorite metaphors for the way we gain knowledge over the course of both our degree work and then our careers comes from the writing of Anne Lamott.  In Bird by Bird , she recounts a conversation between her brother, who was panicked by a school assignment, and their father.  Her brother anguished over how much work was ahead of him; their father was pragmatic.  Lamott remembers,

Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report written on birds that he’d had three months to write, which was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books about birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother’s shoulder, and said, “Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.” [7]

Thinking of all the things we need to know to serve our library users well and effectively, especially all the techniques involved in locating information and all the information that guides our selection of searchable resources, can feel overwhelming.  No librarian learns it all at once.  Like Lamott’s brother, we, too, gain competency in the different aspects of our professional activities one thing – one database, one research strategy, one conference, one professional connection – at a time.   What we do, as we begin our degree work, is create the foundations of this knowledge, learning how to learn and gather information as library professionals.  Throughout your education and professional practice, your knowledge of information resources and search skills will grow.

Starting the Conversation: A Response by Nancy Henke, MA, MLIS (2023)

I will admit that when I first read this chapter, I was – perhaps like you – overwhelmed. Sure, that feeling was brief and fleeting, but it was there. As a recently minted SLIS graduate, having just begun my first full-time faculty position at an academic library, I had a moment of imposter syndrome. What on earth do I know about gathering information to help me do my own work, let alone to assist students with their research projects? They’re coming to me as an expert in finding sources? Really?

Thankfully the momentary panic subsided; I actually I do know a lot, and I remembered that my LIS degree is the just the foundation upon which to build an entire career. Those things I don’t know – and there will always be those things I don’t know – I will simply take bird by bird and, when it’s a bird I can’t seem to tackle, I’ll ask for assistance.

The ethos of libraries is about service to others; we help our users access information they need. And guess what? We’re library users, too. We as librarians can (and should) ask for help when we need it. Don’t think that since you’re in library school you simply “should” know how to get the resources you need for your class projects or work endeavors. If you don’t know, ask. Don’t be embarrassed. Just as you want a patron to ask if they don’t know where to find a book or how to search a database, your liaison librarian and your professors want you to learn these skills to support your own research (and to support the information gathering of others now and in the future).

In addition to finding published sources to inform what we need, I also like to remember there are a host of formal and informal networks of LIS professionals who can help. The librarians in my organization and on my team want to support me; there are listservs, discussion boards, professional associations, and Discord and Slack channels full of people I can reach out to.

I am not alone, and neither are you. In the pursuit of knowledge not numbers, we have support as we learn to help ourselves and others. We just need to take it bird by bird.

Questions for Your Consideration

• On one hand, helping library users access the information they want involves technical skills that allow us to search any number of resources, including books, effectively.  On the other, effective interactions with library users also depend on soft skills, including communication.  How would you assess the effectiveness of your ability to use both professional knowledge and soft skills in your interactions with library users?
• How will you respond to library users who arrive with information requests that seem to involve mis- or dis- information?  Why?  What guides your approach to these interactions?
• How would you assess your current search skills?  Why?  How are you thinking about the way your information seeking will grow during the course of your degree and professional life?
• In other classes, you’ll learn more about what one researcher calls “anomalous states of knowledge,” or the idea that a person’s ability to search for what they want is impeded by not yet having the knowledge that can be found in those sources.  Have you encountered this before?  How do you begin thinking about how to help someone move beyond the problem of anomalous states of knowledge?

For Further Reading

BBC Learning English, Digital Literacy – Searching for Information Online (2018), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZugGDmneVJ4 .

Neil Gaiman, “Why Our Future Depends on Libraries, Reading, and Daydreaming,” The Guardian (15 Oct. 2013), https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neil-gaiman-future-libraries-reading-daydreaming .

Laura A. Millar, A Matter of Facts:  The Value of Evidence in an Information Age (ALA Neal-Schuman, 2019).

• You can find this quote attributed to Gaiman in internet memes, like this one shared by the Information School of the University of Sheffield on the platform formerly known as Twitter in 2021 ( https://twitter.com/InfoSchoolSheff/status/1458043360661409792 ) and places like Goodreads, which allows readers to share their favorite quotes ( https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/427823-google-can-bring-you-back-100-000-answers-a-librarian-can ). What is somewhat harder to find is whether Gaiman actually said this.  Do you have ideas about how to look for that information? ↵
• Desk Set . Directed by Walter Lang, Performances by Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn, Twentieth Century Fox, 1957. ↵
• Univac computer, American Library Association exhibit, Century 21 Exposition, 1962, University Libraries Digital Collections, University of Washington,  https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/seattle/id/2390 . ↵
• American Library Association, “ALA’s Core Competences [sic] of Librarianship,” 28 Jan. 2022,  https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/educationcareers/content/careers/corecomp/corecompetences/finalcorecompstat09.pdf . ↵
• Five Laws of Library Science, Librarianship Studies and Information Technology (11 Sept. 2022)  https://www.librarianshipstudies.com/2017/09/five-laws-of-library-science.html ↵
• See, for example, National Study of High School Students’ Digital Skills Paints Worrying Portrait, Stanford Researchers Say, Graduate School of Education, Stanford University (27 May 2021)  https://ed.stanford.edu/news/national-study-high-school-students-digital-skills-paints-worrying-portrait-stanford ↵
• Anne Lamott,  Bird by Bird:  Some Instructions on Writing and Life  (Knopf, 1994). ↵

"A process that mediates between large quantities of information and users by retrieving a selected subset from the information that most nearly matches the user's request."

Society of American Archivists Dictionary of Archives Terminology

"A systematic effort on the part of a library user or librarian to locate desired information by manual or electronic means, whether successful or not, as opposed to browsing a library collection casually with no clear intention in mind."

ODLIS: Online Dictionary of Library and Information Science

"The process of searching for and identifying potentially relevant materials."

"Systematic, painstaking investigation of a topic, or in a field of study, often employing hypothesis and experimentation, undertaken by a person intent on revealing new facts, theories, or principles, or determining the current state of knowledge of the subject."

Colloquial term for disinformation : "The deliberate, often covert, dissemination of erroneous information, usually with the intention of influencing by deception the actions or opinions of another..."

"Skill in finding the information one needs, including an understanding of how libraries are organized, familiarity with the resources they provide (including information formats and automated search tools), and knowledge of commonly used research techniques. The concept also includes the skills required to critically evaluate information content and employ it effectively, as well as an understanding of the technological infrastructure on which information transmission is based, including its social, political, and cultural context and impact."

Librarians Learning Together: An Introduction to the Profession Copyright © by Jennifer Burek Pierce and Nancy A. Henke is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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10 Effective Research and Information Gathering Strategies

Page Contents

Unleash Your Inner Sleuth: 10 Proven Strategies for Highly Effective Research and Information Gathering

Are you tired of feeling lost in the vast expanse of information available online? Do you find yourself struggling to separate fact from fiction in an era of overwhelming data? Fret not, intrepid knowledge seeker! In this digital age, mastering the art of research and information gathering is essential. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply a curious soul, these tried-and-tested strategies will empower you to become a seasoned investigator. So, grab your virtual detective hat and prepare to embark on a thrilling journey of discovery!

1. Define Your Research Objectives with Precision

Before immersing yourself in the vast ocean of information, start by clearly defining your research objectives. Take the time to identify the specific questions you need to answer or the precise information you’re seeking. This initial step will serve as your unwavering guiding compass throughout the research process, steering you away from distractions and keeping you on course towards your research goals.

2. Choose Reliable and Authoritative Sources

In a sea of information, not all sources are created equal. To ensure the utmost accuracy and credibility of the information you gather, prioritize reputable sources. Seek out peer-reviewed articles, academic journals, government publications, and established experts in the field. By relying on these authoritative resources, you’ll build a strong foundation for your research and avoid the pitfalls of misinformation.

3. Master Advanced Search Techniques like a Pro

Take your research skills to the next level by mastering advanced search techniques. Utilize quotation marks to search for exact phrases, employ site-specific searches to narrow down results, and combine keywords with Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine your inquiries further. Armed with these powerful tools, search engines will become your loyal accomplices in uncovering precisely what you seek.

4. Tap into the Wealth of Online Libraries and Databases

Unearth a treasure trove of knowledge by delving into online libraries and databases. Platforms like Google Scholar, JSTOR , PubMed, and numerous others offer access to an extensive array of academic papers, articles, and publications, often hidden from regular search engine results. These repositories are veritable gold mines for valuable and credible information.

5. Harness the Power of Social Media for Research

Social media platforms are not just a realm of memes and cat videos. Leverage their potential for research purposes too. Follow experts and thought leaders in your field of interest on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Engaging with their content and discussions can lead you to valuable insights, recent studies, and even niche communities of like-minded researchers.

6. Take Methodical Notes and Organize Information Effectively

As you dive deeper into the sea of information, equip yourself with a reliable lifeboat of note-taking and organization. Create an efficient system for documenting key findings, source citations, and important ideas. This meticulous approach will save you from the dreaded task of retracing your steps later, making your research process smoother and more productive.

7. Conduct Interviews and Surveys for Insider Perspectives

For a more hands-on approach to research, consider conducting interviews or surveys. Speaking directly with experts or target audiences can provide unique and invaluable perspectives and firsthand insights that no search engine can replicate. These personal interactions can add depth and nuance to your findings, setting your research apart from the ordinary.

8. Fact-Check and Verify Information Religiously

In an era of rampant misinformation, be the beacon of truth by rigorously fact-checking and verifying the information you gather from various sources. Cross-referencing data from multiple reliable sources will help you weed out inaccuracies and ensure the unwavering reliability of your findings, instilling trust and credibility in your research.

9. Embrace Collaboration and Engage in Thoughtful Discussions

Two heads are better than one, and collaboration can elevate your research to new heights. Engage with peers, mentors, or online communities to discuss your ideas, share resources, and receive constructive feedback. Embracing diverse perspectives will enrich your research, sparking new ideas and avenues for exploration.

10. Stay Infinitely Curious and Adapt to the Changing Tides

Lastly, cultivate an unquenchable spirit of curiosity and adaptability. Research is an ever-evolving journey, and staying open to new methods and ideas will keep you at the cutting edge of knowledge. Embrace change and adapt to emerging technologies and research methodologies to ensure your work remains relevant and impactful.

Become a Master Researcher: Unraveling the Secrets of Highly Effective Information Gathering

Congratulations, brave explorer! With these 10 proven strategies at your disposal, you are now equipped to navigate the vast seas of information with confidence and finesse. Remember always to define your objectives with precision, choose credible sources, and employ advanced search techniques like a pro. Delve into online libraries and leverage social media for hidden gems, while honing your note-taking and organization skills. Don’t hesitate to conduct interviews and surveys for a hands-on approach, and above all, remain vigilant against the tides of misinformation. By embracing collaboration, curiosity, and adaptability, you’ll unlock the doors to a wealth of knowledge that will set you apart as a master researcher. Now, go forth and embark on your quest for truth, armed with the power of highly effective research and information gathering!

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Expert Commentary

Research strategy guide for finding quality, credible sources

Strategies for finding academic studies and other information you need to give your stories authority and depth

Republish this article

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License .

by Keely Wilczek, The Journalist's Resource May 20, 2011

This <a target="_blank" href="https://journalistsresource.org/home/research-strategy-guide/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://journalistsresource.org">The Journalist's Resource</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://journalistsresource.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/cropped-jr-favicon-150x150.png" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;">

Knowing how to conduct deeper research efficiently and effectively is a critical skill for journalists — especially in the information age. It is, like other facets of the profession such as interviewing, a matter of practice and establishing good habits. And once you find a successful routine for information-gathering, it will pay dividends time and again.

Journalists need to be able to do many kinds of research. This article focuses on creating a research strategy that will help you find academic studies and related scholarly information. These sources can, among other things, give your stories extra authority and depth — and thereby distinguish your work. You can see examples of such studies — and find many relevant ones for your stories — by searching the Journalist’s Resource database . But that is just a representative sample of what exists in the research world.

The first step is to create a plan for seeking the information you need. This requires you to take time initially and to proceed with care, but it will ultimately pay off in better results. The research strategy covered in this article involves the following steps:

Get organized

Articulate your topic, locate background information.

• Identify your information needs

List keywords and concepts for search engines and databases

Consider the scope of your topic, conduct your searches, evaluate the information sources you found, analyze and adjust your research strategy.

Being organized is an essential part of effective research strategy. You should create a record of your strategy and your searches. This will prevent you from repeating searches in the same resources and from continuing to use ineffective terms. It will also help you assess the success or failure of your research strategy as you go through the process. You also may want to consider tracking and organizing citations and links in bibliographic software such as Zotero . (See this helpful resource guide about using Zotero.)

Next, write out your topic in a clear and concise manner. Good research starts with a specific focus.

For example, let’s say you are writing a story about the long-range health effects of the explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant based on a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives titled, “The Chernobyl Accident 20 Years On: An Assessment of the Health Consequences and the International Response.” (The study is summarized in Journalist’s Resource here .)

A statement of your topic might be, “Twenty years after the Chernobyl disaster, scientists are still learning the affects of the accident on the health of those who lived in the surrounding area and their descendants.”

If you have a good understanding of the Chernobyl disaster, proceed to the next step, “Identify the information you need.” If not, it’s time to gather background information. This will supply you with the whos and the whens of the topic. It will also provide you with a broader context as well as the important terminology.

Excellent sources of background information are subject-specific encyclopedias and dictionaries, books, and scholarly articles, and organizations’ websites. You should always consult more than one source so you can compare for accuracy and bias.

For your story about Chernobyl, you might want to consult some of the following sources:

• Frequently Asked Chernobyl Questions , International Atomic Agency
• Chernobyl Accident 1986 , World Nuclear Association
• Chernobyl: Consequences of the Catastrophe for People and the Environment , New York Academy of Sciences, 2009.
• “Chernobyl Disaster,” Encyclopedia Britannica, last updated 2013.

Identify the information you need

What information do you need to write your story? One way to determine this is to turn your overall topic into a list of questions to be answered. This will help you identify the type and level of information you need. Some possible questions on consequences of the Chernobyl accident are:

• What are the proven health effects?
• What are some theorized health effects?
• Is there controversy about any of these studies?
• What geographic area is being studied?
• What are the demographic characteristics of the population being studied?
• Was there anything that could have been done at the time to mitigate these effects?

Looking at these questions, it appears that scientific studies and scholarly articles about those studies, demographic data, disaster response analysis, and government documents and publications from the Soviet Union and Ukraine would be needed.

Now you need to determine what words you will use to enter in the search boxes within resources. One way to begin is to extract the most important words and phrases from the questions produced in the previous step. Next, think about alternative words and phrases that you might use. Always keep in mind that different people may write or talk about the same topic in different ways. Important concepts can referred to differently or be spelled differently depending on country of origin or field of study.

For the Chernobyl health story, some search keyword options are: “Chernobyl,” “Chornobyl”; “disaster,” “catastrophe,” “explosion”; “health,” “disease,” “illness,” “medical conditions”; “genetic mutation,” “gene mutation,” “germ-line mutation,” “hereditary disease.” Used in different combinations, these can unearth a wide variety of resources.

Next you should identify the scope of your topic and any limitations it puts on your searches. Some examples of limitations are language, publication date, and publication type. Every database and search engine will have its own rules so you may need to click on an advanced search option in order to input these limitations.

It is finally time to start looking for information but identifying which resources to use is not always easy to do. First, if you are part of an organization, find out what, if any, resources you have access to through a subscription. Examples of subscription resources are LexisNexis and JSTOR. If your organization does not provide subscription resources, find out if you can get access to these sources through your local library. Should you not have access to any subscription resources appropriate for your topic, look at some of the many useful free resources on the internet.

Here are some examples of sources for free information:

• PLoS , Public Library of Science
• Google Scholar
• SSRN , Social Science Research Network
• FDsys , U.S. Government documents and publications
• World Development Indicators , World Bank
• Pubmed , service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine

More quality sites, and search tips, are here among the other research articles at Journalist’s Resource.

As you only want information from the most reliable and suitable sources, you should always evaluate your results. In doing this, you can apply journalism’s Five W’s (and One H):

• Who : Who is the author and what are his/her credentials in this topic?
• What: Is the material primary or secondary in nature?
• Where: Is the publisher or organization behind the source considered reputable? Does the website appear legitimate?
• When: Is the source current or does it cover the right time period for your topic?
• Why: Is the opinion or bias of the author apparent and can it be taken into account?
• How: Is the source written at the right level for your needs? Is the research well-documented?

Were you able to locate the information you needed? If not, now it is time to analyze why that happened. Perhaps there are better resources or different keywords and concepts you could have tried. Additional background information might supply you with other terminology to use. It is also possible that the information you need is just not available in the way you need it and it may be necessary to consult others for assistance like an expert in the topic or a professional librarian.

Keely Wilczek is a research librarian at the Harvard Kennedy School. Tags: training

About The Author

Keely Wilczek

Generative AI and Research

Research Process

• Research Assignments
• Humanitarian Concerns
• Information Ethics and Plagiarism

Generative AI, like other technology before it, will disrupt and change research practices and skills.

Research is a process of discovering information, evaluating that information, and reshaping our understanding of a topic or issue as we search. It requires basic search mechanics as well as higher order thinking such as evaluating and creating.

AI offers us the opportunity to consider the research skills and practices that we want students to acquire in our classrooms and whether AI will be a part of that research process. 

AI and other research tools will constantly be evolving, but we can provide students with the critical thinking skills needed to evaluate those tools and their content.

New Pathways to Research Skills

 The threshold concept,  Research as Inquiry ,  stresses that research is iterative and involves asking new questions and breaking down complex questions into simpler ones. As students become more information literate, they develop the ability to: 

• value curiosity
• maintain an open mind and critical stance 
• consider research as open-ended exploration 
• seek multiple perspectives during information gathering and assessment

Students can achieve these dispositions through certain knowledge practices like: formulating research questions, simplifying topics and concepts, generating keywords and outlines for projects, organizing information, finding a variety of sources, and critiquing or analyzing content.

People are now using generative AI to complete some of these tasks. AI may shift how we help students reach these critical information mindsets by practicing new research processes and skills. 

For example: we value that the research process is iterative and non-linear because we want students to develop mental flexibility. When students learn to search library databases, they practice skills like refining research questions, brainstorming search terms, assessing the quality of search results and refining search queries. As an instructor, you might ask how prompt engineering and assessing Generative AI output could reinforce mental flexibility in similar ways. In both cases students have to define their information need and engage in metacognition about their search process. 

Discovery Process: “Mountain Music Granola Vibes Early Morning” Spotify Playlist

Using AI, Spotify generates personalized playlists ("daylists") with word-salad titles based on past listening sessions. The playlists are a great way to "discover" new music that is similar to past music that you've listened to. But using AI for discovery tools raises important questions about relevance, ranking, and selection. 

Personalization of music playlists is the tip of the AI iceberg - we know major library tools provided by vendors like ESBCO and JSTOR are beginning to incorporate AI into the discovery and search process. Library tools are shifting how they present and rank sources based on additional algorithms running behind the scenes. AI tools like Elicit and Reseach Rabbit will create a web of related research for scholars.

These new tools and features will change how we interact with database search result and influence how and what we find in traditional library spaces. 

Reflection Questions about Research Process

• Questions to Ask Yourself
• Questions to Ask Your Students

Use these questions to further reflect on research practices in your discipline.

Because technology is constantly changing, we can focus on the process and outcomes more than the tools themselves. 

• What are the  core “research” practices or skills  that I want my students to learn and to be able to apply?
• Why are these practices or skills the most important? 
• Preparing for Research 
• Finding Information 
• Synthesizing Research

Research AI Tools

In relation to the questions above - 

• Are there AI tools that would be appropriate for students to use during the research process?
• How could these AI tools help students learn or master research practices or skills? 

Curiosity and Non-Linear Research

Instructors have concerns that AI will flatten the information landscape and students will just be "fact-finders" instead of active thinkers in the research process.

• How can I foster curiosity in students?
• How can I prioritize or value student voices and analysis in my class?
• How can I convey the importance of curiosity to my discipline? 

Use these questions with your students for class discussions, reflection short-writes, or other assignments. 

1. What AI tools have you used in the past for classwork or paper assignments? Was there a specific process that you used it for? Why? Did you find it valuable and useful? 

2. What parts of the research process do you struggle with? Why? What parts are easier for you? Why? What strategies do you use to be successful? What does your research process look like normally? 

3. How do you evaluate information? How do you "fact-check," or determine the credibility of a source? What are important aspects to consider? [This can change by discipline!]

4. Library databases like JSTOR and EBSCO are using AI to generate summaries or rank and promote "relevant" sources. How could this selection potentially be a discovery issue if we only see results from heavily cited scholars and only a few sources from new scholars? What perspectives are lost when only the dominant literature is retrieved? 

5. Research tools like Elicit and Research Rabbit, built on large language models, are introducing new ways of finding research articles and visualizing connections between articles. The creators at Elicit even note that there are limitations to their tools and outline how to use it responsibly. How do we balance using these new tools with known limitations with the exciting advantages that they have? What critical mindsets do we need to have when using new tools built on rapidly changing technology? Is searching a skill that should be automated by a tool? When might human interaction be necessary for a search? 

Support and Resources

• Library Services and Support
• Resources and Further Reading
• Generative AI Product Tracker comprehensive list of AI tools from Ithaka - tools are geared for faculty or college students
• AI Tools for Research, Text, Search, Images, Design, & Presentations Research guide from FIU Libraries
• Generative AI Can Harm Learning SSRN research article (July 2024) about use of AI math tutors and effects on learning - AI tool has short-term benefits but does not last
• Ask Smarter Questions in 5 Minutes 5 minute video with categories of questions that prompt curiosity - business focus but still appropriate for students
• Seven Ways to Be More Curious Blog post from Psychology Today with broad suggestions to prompt and build curiosity
• How to use Elicit responsibly Advice from Elicit founders, Ought, on how to use Elicit responsibly and get the most out of the tool - raises important limitations
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• Last Updated: Sep 5, 2024 2:47 PM
• URL: https://guides.library.uwm.edu/ai