Powerful Research Strategies You Probably Aren’t Using
Without proper research strategies, online research could easily get unnerving, especially if it takes longer than expected or ends up futile.
Daily, Google processes over 5.5 billion searches. These searches provide most internet users with answers to their random questions, solutions to various information-based needs, and insight on crucial subjects.
Unfortunately, many online research efforts end up unsuccessful. Some common scenarios include
- reading through troves of blog posts in the hope of finding an important piece of information and not finding it
- typing in every phrase related to your interest into the browser and not getting the expected result;
- eventually finding long-sought information, only to discover it’s outdated.
Experiencing such scenarios could be daunting, especially if you are conscientiously conducting the necessary research.
Over the last decade, online research has significantly gained traction. This is little surprise as computers have become more affordable, previously bland mobile devices are now smartphones, and virtually every organization now has an online presence. In these few years, online research has significantly bridged the chasm between information and everyone that needs it.
If you have ever opened up a browser only to close it back unsatisfied, then it’s certain that you’ve been once pissed at it and likely that you are not doing something right. Therefore, to optimize your online research and always extract the aptest information from the many other similar ones, you must integrate some strategies into your online research.
5 Powerful Online Research Strategies
Applying the following strategies will make your online research more effective, time-efficient, and productive.
Identify & define your interest.
The myriad of information online could easily leave anyone confused. Before commencing your online research, endeavor to identify your interest and articulate it. This will save you time and allow you to find the most relevant information for your research needs. With a data stream as boundless as the internet, a minor drift could veer away from your interest. To avoid this, identify your interest first, and define it.
Use specific phrases and keywords.
Best phrases and keyword practices are always integral to every SEO discussion. This is because the internet relies on them to rank search results. Unfortunately, whenever you use a vague keyword or broad phrase, the browser attempts to return every related available information, most of which are irrelevant to your interest. To avoid this and research better, find the keyword in your already identified interest, and articulate your phrase to spotlight that keyword. You can use quotation marks around your phrases to make this more effective.
Try the advanced search option.
If you are simply trying to satisfy your curiosity or find a nearby service provider, this won’t count. However, if you have been unsuccessful with your online research or other robust searches, you might have to try out the advanced search function that most internet browsers provide. The advanced search option is designed to filter out irrelevant information and narrow it down to results faster. It’s a powerful online research tool you can easily enable to make your research prompt, effective, and rewarding.
Don’t rely on one search engine.
Using two or more search engines during online research is essential. Each search engine has a unique way of indexing results. Though it’s normal for anyone to have a preferred browser, supplement your favorite browser with others. This will allow you access to more information. Especially if the browsers are all on “advanced search.”
Evaluate the sources
Countless conscientious research efforts have ended up a waste of time due to false or outdated information from online sources. Similar to other online research strategies, the need to verify the source of your information can’t be overstressed. With the shed load of online information, it’s little surprise that some are incomplete, outdated, or simply false. Though the process of evaluating information sources could be stale and time demanding, always do it and equally check the date to ensure it’s not outdated before using.
Conclusion
The primary purpose of search engines is to make fact-finding and research seamless, swift, and more effective than ever before. So if you’ve been getting anything short of optimal results from your online research and want to get better ones going forward, you need to start using these powerful online research strategies.
Set up your Google advanced search
Similar Articles:
