Ph.D. Coursework
Paper – 1 Research Methodology
Using Online and Print Resources
Preface
This 21st century is known as 'The Age of Knowledge and Information' and 'The Age of Technology'. So currently in the field of higher Education students have many opportunities to learn, acquire knowledge and information from various platforms and in many ways like e-resources are available as well as print resources are used. Specially as a scholar, researcher has to use various reading resources to work on their research area and expand the horizon of knowledge. This paper aims to discuss the online and print resources which are useful, importance of citing sources, need to archives the sources and practical advice of how to access those sources etc.
Keywords : Online resources, print resources, citation, archive the sources.
Introduction
Major difference between undergraduate and postgraduate Study is that UG level teacher provides all the materials and give lectures but in post-graduation specially in Ph.D research, greater emphasis given to the Importance of independent research in the higher education. As a scholar, researcher has to do many things like identify various reading resources, locate resources appropriately, cite those sources accurately, evaluate and archive sources properly and remain up to date with the new developments and emerging trends of the specific research area or topic etc.
So, for the detail study, researcher has to use different reading resources because now in this digital age, there is greater demands and paradigm shift. So, in order to fulfil the changing needs, researcher need to use both online resources as well as print resources for their research work. Because in early time, only print resources were available but now time is totally changed. In the age of internet and technology researcher cannot rely only on the print resources but have to use some online sources on the other side these traditional methods of visit library and reading books are also beneficial we cannot avoid it. So, researcher should use both the platforms for better research work and good knowledge.
Aims and objectives of study
- To
introduce the online and print resources.
- To
explain the importance of citing and archive the sources.
Meaning and definition of online and print resources
1. Online resources -
In general, web pages and documents on the internet that provide useful information. While an online resource is typically data and educational in nature, any support software available online can also be considered a resource.
2. Print resources –
Print form resources are those learning resources are published on paper medium which is called as print resources. These types of resources are also known as traditional based reading resources. Print resources were more popular before the arrival of electronic resources and now it is found existence in all the libraries except digital library.
Advantages and challenges of using Online resources -
- Online
resources are very user-friendly. Anyone can use, share and download.
- Easy
to access anytime from anywhere. No time limit or rules to follow. Only
appropriate device and good internet are required.
- Online
sources are easily portable.
- It
is quickly available for all the branches of education and provide global
level information, so online resources are time saving not time consuming
and online resources are very up to date with all the changes.
- Not
expensive.
- For the
researcher, online mode is very easy to publish and circulate anything.
- Easy
to archive everything.
- Help
in save papers.
- Online
resources are editable easily and locate the detail information
appropriately.
Challenges-
- Not
everything is online. Many wrong information is available also so on those
types of online platforms we cannot rely or use.
- It
is expensive also. To use some good online resources, we need subscription
and have to pay fees also electronic equipment’s and internet are
required.
- For
longer periods of time using screen can harm on readers eyes.
- Online
resources are depending on electricity.
- Online
resources are not always accurate or authenticated.
- Users
face network problems especially in rural area.
- Online
resources can be corrupt, damage and lost anytime.
Advantages and challenges of using Print resources -
- Print
resources are very easy to carry and handle anywhere anytime.
- Print
resources cannot harm to readers eyes while reading.
- It
is user friendly so very easy to make notes and highlight in Print
materials.
- Easy
to archive. Print resources can be preserved for long time so there is no
risk for corrupt or damage.
- Reader
can get sense of originality when they read from print resources.
- Printed
resources are more accurate or authentic in nature.
Challenges -
- Print
resources are limited and not everything is available in Print form.
- Difficulty
in portability because it is very hard to carry from one place to another.
- Print
resources occupies space.
- Print
resources are expensive in use.
- In
print resources it is very difficult to edit, make changes and to add
something once printed.
- For
use of print resources like from library required license or I -card,
permission etc.
Researcher has to use primary and secondary sources
for the research. For that any researcher has to use online resources as well
as print resources to collect data and information. So as a research scholar,
we have to know about which types of Online resources and print resources are
available and how to use it wisely in a proper way. So, here various online and
print resources are discussed.
'Always record the route you take, whether via online or printed
sources'.
Online Resources: -
(1) Internet
The Internet is a multimedia resource – you will find not just text, but images, video clips, audio material and so on. With the help of internet everything is possible in a very easy way. Researcher has now all the information on their fingers. With help of internet user can access all the materials, libraries, online course, websites, attend webinars and conferences, publish papers and books, online tutorial, many open access resources available on internet. Through this practice researcher can develop their search skills and know about how to evaluate data and information.
Google provides various facilities so that doing work will be very easy. Through Google researcher can search, read, download any information from anywhere and anytime. Specially all the Google Apps are very useful in research. Specially researcher can mostly use Google Scholar and Google Book.
(3) Wikipedia
Wikipedia is world's largest encyclopedia. It is open access site for anyone and from anywhere. Anyone can edit and add information because it's work collaboratively. Wikipedia provides authors biography, external links and cites for further information. There are some key advantages are there for using Wikipedia site like,
Online reading sources can be editing and updating frequently so information
available is up to date. Wikipedia provides recent events and developments
before compare to other sites. As a researcher or anyone can create a password
and user ID of Wikipedia, because Wikipedia will allow you to contribute social
construction of knowledge by joining some forums and can checking sours and
content accuracy, adding some information, provide suggestions and guidance,
give other sites and external links etc. This Wikipedia page is very easy to
cite.
In using Wikipedia there are some challenges also like, anyone can make changes in Wikipedia and on internet information are overloaded so it is risky also. Many wrong information is also available on internet. So as a researcher use this resource wisely and develop your own comparative evaluative skills for accessing information and crosscheck that information is useful in your research work or not.
There are number of books and many scholarly primary titles are available online as a e - books. So, it is great resource to read online and download also. Bartleby, Kindle, Amazon's e - book reader system, Project Gutenberg, Literature online etc provides various e-reading resources. This type of reading facilities can save time, efforts and travel expenses also.
There are number of online dictionaries are available online which is very helpful for researchers during reading and writing research papers, articles and thesis. This type of online dictionaries gives appropriate meaning of the particular word and provide synonyms and antonyms of that word. For example, researcher can use Oxford English dictionary, thesaurus etc. These types of dictionaries use online as well as download in your devices.
In the era of science and technology now library also available online. So, this will be more beneficial to researchers, students and reader to use this. ACM Digital Library, Government of India has created National Digital Library of India for students of all subject. It contains 4 crore 60 lakhs books.
(8) Blog
Blog is very innovative and latest resource for researcher. Many intelligent people are writing blogs on various topics which can help in research like on films, novels, historical places and many more. It is very easy to access. Researcher can write and publish their own blogs also in their research area.
Many websites like Research gate and Academia.edu are very fruitful websites to researchers to read research papers and articles on their research area. So, it will be benefited during literature review. Researcher can also publish their research papers and articles on this platform.
(10) Online Course
To learn more related to the research area researcher should join various online courses related to their research area so through this researcher will get more information and knowledge on that particular topic. Some online courses are free and some are paid certificate course. For example, MOOC, Edx, Coursera, Khan Academy etc. These courses are easy to access and with punctuality within given time students can complete this course.
Movies, You Tube, Web series, documentary are also very helpful Multimedia resources to the research scholar. Because some topics related sources researcher can take from this.
Researcher can find thesis and synopsis on Shodhganga and Shodhgangotari. Just search particular topic or research area so easily it is available online. University vice also available. So, researcher can get idea that what research have been done in that particular area and what research work still remain in that area. So, in literature review it is helpful to read from this particular resources. Now researcher has to digitally locate their thesis on this website compulsory. So, it is easy and beneficial for future researchers as well to get information related topics and other aspects.
Print resources
As time change, reading resources and technology updated but in 21st century many people still using radio when television is also available. In same way online resources are there but print or physical resources are still in demand and researcher use these resources. The creation of a new medium does not necessarily invalid-date the former ones.
To use library and read books is one of the best habits of any person. When we talk about researcher, he or she must have to visit library and search books there. Visit University library, central library, other states and National and International libraries also to find reading sources. This is old technique but still working well. When you read books in library you can feel the atmosphere of that place. Some old books and copies are preserved in libraries not available online. Researcher can use journals, articles and different magazines also related to the area. To read from physical copy you can get amazing feeling of originality. To search books on your own is best practice as well and researcher can spend more time with books in library.
(2) Newspapers
Whether your research is historical or contemporary, newspapers provide an important source of book and performance reviews, publishers’ advertising, serialisations, editorial comments and author interviews, articles and information. Increasingly, some of important newspapers like Times of India, Indian Express, Hindustan Times etc. One major benefit of reading newspaper is you can keep yourself up to date with the current information and knowledge.
To refer previous theses is important for researchers. So, in library researcher can easily identify the theses of related to their area of interest. Theses is big reading resource and help to know that what research have been already done and what will still remain to do. So in literature review also researcher can use it.
Citing resources is ethically and legally very important work for all researchers. Cite each and every thing which is used directly or indirectly from online or offline sources. All sources, whether online, printed or unpublished, need to be cited as fully and as accurately as possible. Before using any sources check the work cited and bibliographies of that work.
Accessing and using archives: practical advice
During research each and every thing researcher should archive from first to last steps of their research. Locate and archive everything is the best practice to save your time and will use anytime in future as well. Maintain everything perfectly and take backup and save everything well.
Participating in a research community and keeping up to date
So, what are the benefits from joining scholarly learned societies, and what expenses are you likely to incur?
Presentations, workshops, networking
As a researcher to participate in various conferences, webinars,
Seminar, workshop is very Important and fruitful as well. Make your 'Research
Community'. Communicate with scholars, other researchers, professors,
librarians they all are knowledgeable. To join scholarly learned people’s
society will provide more benefits in the particular area. Attending
conference and Seminar will give confidence and through this knowledge of this
area will improve. Conferences,
seminars, workshops and symposia are also the venues where academics meet one
another – so if you are thinking of graduate study and research as a part of
career, this is an essential part of your career development and will give you
a more immediate sense of scholarship in your area of study and Networking you can
built through this. Conferences,
workshops, seminars or electronic publications specifically aimed at
postgraduate students. There is a growing awareness throughout the
tertiary-education sector that students learn and acquire skills very
effectively from one another. Events organized specifically for postgraduate
students will offer an excellent venue for networking with fellow researchers,
allow you to exchange ideas in a less intimidating setting, and perhaps shape
your first publication – all of these are key skills for good research. Regularly attending
conferences and research seminars will ensure that you remain up to date about
the major trends and developments in your area of research. With the help of
social media, for example - Facebook researcher can join their research
community, topic related groups etc. meet scholars through the social media
etc.
To sum up
So, researcher can use online and print both resources. Because online and print resources are crucial and needed in the research work. This assignment suggests various sources and some good skills which can help a lot to researcher for their research work.
References
Correa, Delia da Sousa and W R Owens. The Handbook to Literary Research. Londonn and New Yourk: Routledge, 2010.
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What is Online Resources. n.d. October 2021. <https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/use-of-e-resources-through-consortia-with-special-reference-to-college-libraries/21050>.
Wu, Michelle M. "Why Print and
Electronic Resources Are Essential to the Acdemic Law Library." ResearchGate 2005.
