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For the most part, my Computer Science major hasn’t required all that much research until very recently. For my class focused on web applications, we had a research assignment that embodied the spirit of learning outside the classroom. We were split into groups and assigned specific technologies to research. It wasn’t just about learning the technology or language, but it was also about learning why to use them: Why is this technology good? What are the alternatives?
This module focused on the best ways to search and gain knowledge on a research topic by ensuring that the resources you find are reliable, have good quality, and have utility. Though my major courses typically don’t require a lot of research, lifelong learning does. Being able to use a search engine to find the results you need and being able to analyze the resources you find for their credibility are both indispensable skills.
Slides 14-16 of the module discuss how to analyze your sources to ensure that they can be used. Checking the reliability of the author is smart; oftentimes, I’ve found that articles written by people who have credentials will list them at either the start or end of the article. It can be tricky when articles don’t list authors, so at that point it’s important to check the reputation of the publisher. If you’re having difficulties finding academic resources that are credible, the Google Scholar search is a smart tool. In one of my linguistics classes, my professor advised me to use this tool when searching for other academic papers. It really narrows down your search to make sure you’re getting quality articles.
When using a search engine, I learned from this module that boolean logic can be used to really narrow down your results, as shown in this video. I had no idea that boolean logic could be used in search engines, so I foresee this as being very helpful whenever I need to find something specific.
After you’ve gathered your resources, the next step is to site them. Easybib is a great resource for this, as it automatically generates the format you need from your input. When I was in high school, my English teacher had additionally recommended NoodleTools.