Equipping students for research: Making the most of digital research tools

Introduction

With a single internet search producing millions of results, it can be easy for students to become overwhelmed when tasked with research projects. When used effectively, digital research tools present significant opportunities to teach learners critical research skills that will serve them well through university and beyond. Perhaps contrary to common perception, digital tools and artificial intelligence are not corner-cutting means of avoiding in-depth research; rather, they can push students to broaden their subject knowledge, to consolidate understanding, and to engage critically with the information before them.

1. Tools that facilitate a research journey

Effective research requires a reliable starting place as students look to narrow their focus and choose where to concentrate their study. Research tools are well-positioned to help learners navigate this process.

Infobase’s Credo Source is an ideal starting point for students beginning a research project, featuring over 1.7 million reference materials specifically chosen for high-school students. Credo’s mind mapping tool guides learners through their research - and allows them to track research progress - as a single search offers up suggested topics adjacent to the initial search. As students click through relevant topics, their mind map expands, allowing them to view the path their exploration has taken them and to explore the connections between related areas.

JSTOR’s Workspace tool operates similarly, allowing users to save articles, chapters, images and more to revisit at any time. With the ability to organize saved materials into folders and to add personal notes, students can track how their research has changed over time and compile a detailed collection of sources.

Tracking the research process helps learners to draw connections between topics and to revisit the materials which have guided their decision-making, while also facilitating accurate citation practices.

2. Tools that broaden and contextualize subject knowledge 

Having settled on a research topic, students can utilize digital tools to broaden their subject knowledge and contextualize their findings. 

Gale’s Topic Finder offers a visual way to search. Topic Finder produces graphics displaying key words found most often in texts with the user’s search term. Students are then pointed to relevant articles, videos and images for each topic. 

By leading students to adjacent topics and supporting research material, the tool facilitates broader contextual understanding beyond the initial search. Doing so visually allows students to prioritize the areas of greatest relevance. 

3. Tools that consolidate understanding

Beyond simply acquiring information, digital research tools also push learners to better engage with material. 

JSTOR’s AI research tool exists for exactly this purpose. The tool pushes students to engage ‘conversationally’ with articles, encouraging them to ask questions in their own words to check their understanding of the text they are reading. In doing so, the tool both increases the accessibility of academic writing and also encourages students to actively interrogate the text. 

The AI tool uses the article or chapter in question to respond to user questions – without searching the internet or even JSTOR as a whole –  and therefore continues to draw out critical thinking from its users who must form conclusions and opinions for themselves.

Conclusion

It is clear that digital tools hold a wealth of potential to support students in their research. Useful not only to locate and access information and resources, these tools also support learners in honing the critical thinking skills required in undertaking research projects.

To find out more, or to explore how to access these tools through JCS, why not visit our catalogue.