Long ago, research was basically performed by professionals in educational institutions/libraries, academic and engineering environments, and other areas of high-technology. Now, in societies around the world, the Internet has "leveled" the playing field. Everyone can perform research!
Although libraries (brick-and-mortar or online resources) are a staple source of research information, most people utilize search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo to perform research; the websites are easy to maneuver and provide instant research results. Unless individuals are familiar with efficient utilization of keyword searching, they will be inundated with millions of research results, which they will have to filter through to obtain the desired information.
Along with academic/institutional databases, and with the popularity of social media like YouTube, facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, Instagram and an array of other media websites, the ability to gather data and information is endless! And the mediums of results are quite diversified - text/documents, video, images and photos, audio and podcasts, and graphs/charts. I just checked out the visualization search engine TagGalaxy and was intrigued at it's construction! These type of visualization sites are popular, as people like images; photos aid in the filtering of search results.
Check out one of the newest sites that I've found for yourself - http://www.taggalaxy.de/
There's an interesting article titled "Visualization as a research and design approach for library and information science. Exploring seniors' use of a visual search interface" (ir). The study was performed to provide insight into the theory surrounding visualization, associated interface designs, and Library & Information Science (LIS) research related to visualization phenomenon. A prototype, "drug information database designed with a visually-based search interface" (ir) was created specifically to capture the response of seniors researching health information. The research study utilized qualitative methods and micro-level analysis for the prototype and information testing. Research assumption: "While individuals over 55 experience more difficulties in using the web than younger people, specific design changes based on older users’ needs can improve performance measures for all users." (ir) The study results found that most seniors considered the prototype interface to be useful in searching for medication information; however, there were discrepancies related to some of the interface tools, and some seniors had frustrations while performing searches. Overall, the study provided positive results and useful information that social researchers and LIS professionals can utilize in the future.
Review the article: http://InformationR.net/ir/12-4/colis/colisp03.html
Visualized communication is really a good thing - and now, we have more ways to do it.
References
Gainor, R., Given, L., Ruecker, S, Ruskin, A., Sadler, E. & Simpson, H. (2007). "Visualization as a research and design approach for library and information science. Exploring seniors' use of a visual search interface" Information Research, 12(4) poster colisp03. [http://InformationR.net/ir/12-4/colis/colisp03.html]
Although libraries (brick-and-mortar or online resources) are a staple source of research information, most people utilize search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo to perform research; the websites are easy to maneuver and provide instant research results. Unless individuals are familiar with efficient utilization of keyword searching, they will be inundated with millions of research results, which they will have to filter through to obtain the desired information.
Along with academic/institutional databases, and with the popularity of social media like YouTube, facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, Instagram and an array of other media websites, the ability to gather data and information is endless! And the mediums of results are quite diversified - text/documents, video, images and photos, audio and podcasts, and graphs/charts. I just checked out the visualization search engine TagGalaxy and was intrigued at it's construction! These type of visualization sites are popular, as people like images; photos aid in the filtering of search results.
Check out one of the newest sites that I've found for yourself - http://www.taggalaxy.de/
There's an interesting article titled "Visualization as a research and design approach for library and information science. Exploring seniors' use of a visual search interface" (ir). The study was performed to provide insight into the theory surrounding visualization, associated interface designs, and Library & Information Science (LIS) research related to visualization phenomenon. A prototype, "drug information database designed with a visually-based search interface" (ir) was created specifically to capture the response of seniors researching health information. The research study utilized qualitative methods and micro-level analysis for the prototype and information testing. Research assumption: "While individuals over 55 experience more difficulties in using the web than younger people, specific design changes based on older users’ needs can improve performance measures for all users." (ir) The study results found that most seniors considered the prototype interface to be useful in searching for medication information; however, there were discrepancies related to some of the interface tools, and some seniors had frustrations while performing searches. Overall, the study provided positive results and useful information that social researchers and LIS professionals can utilize in the future.
Review the article: http://InformationR.net/ir/12-4/colis/colisp03.html
Visualized communication is really a good thing - and now, we have more ways to do it.
Enjoy a bit of chocolate with that!
References
Gainor, R., Given, L., Ruecker, S, Ruskin, A., Sadler, E. & Simpson, H. (2007). "Visualization as a research and design approach for library and information science. Exploring seniors' use of a visual search interface" Information Research, 12(4) poster colisp03. [http://InformationR.net/ir/12-4/colis/colisp03.html]