Research Problems and the Benefits of the Internet

Research Problems and the Benefits of the Internet

Conducting a research is not easy. Researchers should to bear in mind that they are attempting a solution to a stated research problem. Research demands teamwork and utilization of resources. Most researchers have no choice but to figure out how to spend the available resources effectively to ensure proper research outcome. However, internet resources are increasingly becoming readily available for use. Technology is proving to be a vital tool to complement research (Miorandi et al. 1514). Today, the benefits derived from the internet in solving research problems cannot be understated.

Updated Information

            To solve research problems effectively, up-to-date information is required. Unfortunately, most libraries are stocked with books that contain outdated information. However, the current internet explosion means that scholars, students, and professional researchers have an opportunity to access latest internet resources. This enhances the credibility reliability of the research data. However, most internet resources fail to meet scholarly standards. Therefore, is imperative for a researcher to obtain information from peer-reviewed journals from trusted sources. If the internet is not used properly, complications may ensue because of the invalidated solutions from low-quality research sources (Gosling et al 93).

            Research problems demand time and dedication. It is hard to accomplish set goals if a researcher obtains information from time-bound sources like a library. To solve this problem, a researcher can access the internet for 24 hours a day. This increases the chances of timely provision of research outcome as the researchers can work around the clock.

            When looking for statistical data or views of people regarding current events, information contained in encyclopedias, magazines and newspapers can be crucial. Today, some of these sources of research information are only reachable online. This cripples research conducted using traditional sources. Thus, a researcher with an access to the internet is at an advantaged position in solving problems on current issues.

Free Access of Resources

There are books that cannot be obtained from a library. If a researcher is to look for specific information from such books, he/she will be obliged to use internet tools like Google Books or online Library of Congress to obtain a specified resource. Besides, it makes it easier some of these resources are accessible for free. Some of the books recommended for solving research problems are the latest which local library authorities are yet to get their hands on. However, a skilled researcher can use his wit to look for its latest version online. Chances are that the book will be readily available (Mason et al. 19).

Multimedia Data

            In the modern times, a research is almost incomplete if it lacks certain aspects of multimedia. Videos and sounds can be used to back up the data obtained so as to solidify the research stance. The internet has highly sophisticated tools where multimedia information can be steamed at any time. It is not a similar case journals and traditional printed books. As internet bandwidth increase and become cheaper, it will even be easier to stream or download high-quality audio-visual data for a time-based research.

Non-Degradability of Internet Resources

            Information printed on books, newspapers and journals are degradable over time. It is not surprising that some scholar and students may find it hard to obtain specific information from 19^th or 20^th Century tangible sources. Wear and tear has made some of the library books to be classified as rare resources hence not easily accessible. On the other hand, the internet can be a resource for digitized rare books and other ancient resources. Consequently, researchers are not limited by inaccessibility and decomposition in their bid to source for factual information.

Online Platforms

The internet provides an online platform where a researcher can consult experts on the way to solve research problems. There are multiples of research sites that researcher can forge partnerships with like-minded individuals. In fact, some of the advanced researches available today were conducted by scholars that worked as a team from an online setting irrespective of their geographical location. Moreover, a quick search on the internet may reveal a research that has been done already, hence easing a researcher burden of reinventing a wheel. If an individual in a separate geographical location has already solved a research problem, there is absolutely no need of wasting valuable resources on the same. Instead, a researcher may adopt the outcome and direct the resources to more pressing issues at hand (Coetzee et al. 6).

Tutorials

Internet users have unrestricted access to tutorials offering instruction on how to solve research problems. The guidelines are crucial as students have the ability to observe their research progress in relation to the required standards. Furthermore, such web-based tutorials inform researcher on the distinction between popular sources and scholarly articles, identification of keywords, ways to conduct library catalog or database searches, evaluation of the sources' integrity, and legal and ethical uses of research information. It is hard to find all these useful information from a different source other than the internet.

Monitoring Online Research Subjects

A researcher can monitor online discussions on issues related to the research problem. Social media provide some of the best platforms where people express their feelings and honest opinions. It presents a researcher with an opportunity to establish an online connection with study subjects albeit with their conscience. In fact, a researcher has a global audience he/she can use for the benefit of the study. Nowhere else is it possible to establish a direct and timely communication links with study subjects to check on their progress and to obtain an additional information to the study.

Flexibility

Major internet assets include convenience, home accessibility, flexibility and a possibility of wireless connectivity. It is an outstanding invention serving as a communication channel and a gateway to all parts of the planet and beyond. It is undeniable that it adds to the research problems witnessed today, especially as students plagiarize research data; but such havoc is like a tiny speck when compared to the magnitude of its benefits. The internet today boasts of more than 4 billions of unique web pages. However, it is interesting to note that less than 7% is composed of genuine educational content (Shu and Yu-Hao 32). Some researchers argue that the minimal percentage in educational content is enough to conduct an extensive research because such data traverses geographical and political limitations. 

Informational Technology

If internet resources are utilized wisely, it has the ability to enhance informational technology and instinctive analytical skills. Students can eliminate barriers to learning by consulting online subject experts and research specialists. Besides, the need for acquisition of expensive books for a research study is nullified. Advanced search facilities filter information regarding a particular topic or subject being researched. Formulation of queries for use in search engines cuts short the time spent in libraries looking for the similar information.

Pluralistic Source of Research Information

Most technology experts consider the internet as a pluralistic information source. Even though establishing the reliability of data from the internet is a strenuous task, a knowledge of a given education culture is necessary and will ease the entire process. For years, information has been disposed all over the internet for access by interested parties. In fact, there are speculations that the future of internet research is brighter as more academic institutions embrace its effectiveness. Besides, history proves that the technology’s evolutionary nature results in its integration and adoption in day-to-day human activities. Therefore, online research is no different.

Research Tools

The internet is becoming one of the most appropriate tools for conducting online qualitative research. In the developed world, online qualitative research is preferable to traditional research because a majority of the households have an access to the internet. In the UK, for instance, up to 85% of the citizens have reliable internet connectivity. Therefore, the researchers in such areas have an opportunity to reach out to people traditionally considered unreachable. Such people include the minorities, people with disabilities, and ailing individuals. In addition, some respondents may decline to offer their contribution to the research via face-to-face interviews. In fact, most people are willing to disseminate fundamental information only if their privacy is guaranteed. The internet serves as a perfect platform that allows respondents to maintain their privacy hence provide honest information without fear public exposure. As such, sensitive researches problems are easily solvable online (Alessi et al., 126).

Cloud Computing

The age of cloud computing is dawning. Researchers can now use online storage facilities to keep the gathered data for use in the future. The safety of most clouding sites is ensured. Thus, a researcher can be assured of the confidentiality of data kept, unlike when traditional options are used to keep sensitive research information. Besides, computation of qualitative research data is made easier by the availability of specialized software that cloud service providers offer. Thus implies that research work and analysis is simplified because only the gathered data is required. The otherwise complex computations are conducted faster by the use of sophisticated statistical analysis software and utility tools found on the internet (Zang et al., 14). 

A Global Touch in Solving Research Problems

The internet adds a global touch to the sampling techniques used in the research. Problems resulting from traditional research methods including limited samples are solved by embracing the internet. The computer can randomly pick research participants from an active online pool for scrutiny. There is no stipulated timeframe for doing so; neither is it mandatory for the researcher to provide incentives to the chosen subjects (Baltar and Ignasi 2012). It is estimated that a majority of internet users are subject of ongoing researches without being aware. Lowly-funded research organizations use this method to achieve objectives to research that would have otherwise been costly to execute. 

Pre-Screening of Respondents

Pre-screening of research participants is possible with the internet. Before a sampled population can be endorsed for a research, an experienced researcher can search for background information from the internet. It is hard for people to lead a private life, especially if they lead an active online social lifestyle. Hence, if the background check reveals that a respondent has failed to meet the research requirement, he/she can be dropped off the list and an alternative subject obtained from the readily available pool. This eliminates the problem of wastage of resources on unproductive subjects. In addition, it aids in ensuring the credibility of the research outcome.

Comparisons

Research comparison is possible when the internet is used as a basic research tool. Amateur researchers can follow the measures used in researches conducted by experts to ensure that their works meet the required standards. It is notable that faulty research is never admitted for scholarly reference. Thus, it will be a heavy loss to conduct a research only to be turned down by academic publishers. This can be averted if a researcher digs deeper on the internet to broaden his knowledge and to be enlightened on current trends in the research field (Eysenbach 34).

Public Engagement

If a research is being conducted on specific disciplines including social policy, health, public policy, and/or social care, a wider online public can be engaged on their views regarding current issues. Their personal perspectives can then be adopted as research evidence usable in influencing the outcome. An individual referring to such outcome will find it hard to distinguish an online subject to a face-to-face interview respondent. Since either of the information sources is authentic, researchers would rather focus their efforts on an online platform than the costly and time-consuming alternatives.

In summary, the evident advances and development in computer technology is opening up a realm of capabilities in conducting online research in a virtual environment. A few decades ago, it was unimaginable that academic researchers can access free online journals or use reference management tools to solve research problems. Today, such technologies are nearly taken for granted. Local researchers are forging collaborations with like-minded global researchers via online portals and constructive forums. Besides, video conferencing and real-time chat rooms have enabled establishment and sustainability of online focus groups and interviews (Hanna 241).

Works Cited

Alessi, Edward J., and James I. Martin. "Conducting an internet-based survey: Benefits, pitfalls, and lessons learned." Social Work Research 34.2 (2010): 122-128.

Baltar, Fabiola, and Ignasi Brunet. "Social research 2.0: virtual snowball sampling method using Facebook." internet Research 22.1 (2012): 57-74.

Coetzee, Louis, and Johan Eksteen. "The Internet of Things-promise for the future? An introduction." IST-Africa Conference Proceedings, 2011. IEEE, 2011: 1-9.

Eysenbach, Gunther. "Improving the quality of Web surveys: the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES)." Journal of medical Internet research 6.3 (2004): e34.

Gosling, Samuel D., et al. "Should we trust web-based studies? A comparative analysis of six preconceptions about internet questionnaires." American Psychologist 59.2 (2004): 93.

Hanna, Paul. "Using internet technologies (such as Skype) as a research medium: a research note." Qualitative Research 12.2 (2012): 239-242.

Mason, Winter, and Siddharth Suri. "Conducting behavioral research on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk." Behavior Research Methods 44.1 (2012): 1-23.

Miorandi, Daniele, et al. "Internet of things: Vision, applications and research challenges." Ad Hoc Networks 10.7 (2012): 1497-1516.

Shu, Wesley, and Yu-Hao Chuang. "The perceived benefits of six-degree-separation social networks." Internet Research 21.1 (2011): 26-45.

Zhang, Qi, Lu Cheng, and Raouf Boutaba. "Cloud computing: state-of-the-art and research challenges." Journal of Internet Services and Applications 1.1 (2010): 7-18.