Research skills are an essential part of the learning process, whether it is subjective or within an academic career in universities or schools. You cannot write a university research paper or report without conducting in-depth research on the topic.
In today’s article, we will learn about the most important research skills and the best tips to help you develop and enhance them.
What are “research skills”?
Research skills express the ability to investigate to find appropriate information related to the subject being studied and then collect, analyze, and evaluate it to come up with results that ensure the development and promotion of this study, as it includes a set of skills that can be summarized as follows:
- Report writing skills.
- Data collection skills.
- Data analysis skills from different sources.
- Find information online.
- Critical thinking skills.
- Planning and organizing skills.
- Interviewing skills.
- Critical analysis skills.
The importance of research skills
The importance of research skills is not limited to the educational and academic side only, as it is one of the distinctive skills that employers are looking for in their employees due to its positive impact on companies and institutions, as it helps them to:
- Writing its periodic reports.
- Develop new products.
- Monitoring the performance of its competitors and comparing it with its own.
- Improve the performance of its employees
- Keeping pace with technological changes.
How can I develop my research skills?
First and foremost, it should be noted that we all engage in the search process on a nearly daily basis, even if we are unaware of it.Collecting information and planning your next trip is a kind of research, and choosing the right colors and outfits for you by browsing different fashion sites is also a kind of research. However, the matter becomes more complicated when it comes to your job or your studies, and there is no doubt that every one of us wants to enhance his research skills and take them to the next level. So, here are some practical tips to help you develop your research skills.
1- Set a schedule and stick to it.
If you want to conduct in-depth research and write the result to present it to your manager at work or hand it in as part of your homework, you must set a schedule and divide your time in an effective way that ensures that you give each step of the research its due. In this regard, you can do the following:
- Set your own deadlines, such as two days for data collection, three days for data analysis, one week for writing a research paper, and so on.
- Be sure to give yourself extra time before the deadline to review your research and confirm the sources you used.
Use some tools and websites that help you set an appropriate schedule. For example, you can try the Research - Calculator service, which enables you to divide your time effectively while making sure to send alerts and emails to remind you of the dates for submitting your research.
2- Be precise in choosing what you are looking for.
The main objective of the research is to provide an answer to a question or a solution to a specific issue or problem. So before you start the data collection and analysis process, define the hypothesis or question you want to find an answer to. Let’s say, for example, that you are interested in drawing and want to develop your skills in it by enrolling in online courses or by reading articles and watching related videos.
Before you start the process of searching for the appropriate information, define exactly what you want to search for. Which part of the drawing do you want to develop and learn more about? For example, do you want to learn more about digital or traditional painting? Are you looking for landscape or portrait painting courses? The more specific you are, the greater your chances of finding the right information. Avoid collecting a huge amount of information that is difficult to analyze and that you may have to get rid of most of because it is useless.
3- Develop an appropriate research plan.
After you have accurately defined your research topic and set the hypothesis or basic question that you want to answer, go to the next step and write an initial outline of the research. Divide your topic into coherent and logical parts.
This step protects you from getting lost in the sea of information that you have collected and makes the research and writing process easier. It also enables you to easily identify flaws and address them in a timely manner.
4- Use Wikipedia at least once.
If the search you are doing is simple and personal, then Wikipedia may be the perfect site for you because you are more likely to find the information you are looking for there. But if your research is academic or part of your job duties, then this site may not be the most suitable for you, but you should check it out nonetheless. Why?
Because Wikipedia is an excellent site for scientific references that you can use in your research, as it allows you to take a comprehensive overview of the topic you are searching for and then move to more specialized sites. In other words, use this site as a reference index where you may find relevant information.
5- Be honest with a librarian!
Yes, it is true, we are in the age of technology and the Internet, but do not underestimate the traditional library! In your research, seek help from paper books and be honest with a librarian. Despite everything, some resources may not be available except in libraries, such as copies of old newspapers and magazines and some videos or research letters.
So when you befriend a library employee, you can ask him about these resources, and you will be able to access them in a shorter time and with less effort.
6- Ask and inquire
The librarian isn’t the only person who can give you a helping hand. Many other people will help you find the right information if you ask them.
Questioning and inquiring are two of the most important ways to enhance your research skills. University professors are always waiting for students to come to them with their questions, inquiries, and requests for advice, as are your experienced colleagues and the specialized research departments of large companies. Do not hesitate, then, to consult with experienced colleagues, teachers, or even your bosses at work, as your questions will develop your skills in conversation and communication, which, as we have already mentioned, is one of the most important research skills.
7- Take advantage of modern technologies.
Wikipedia is not the only site on the Internet that makes the search process easier for you. Many researchers today use various websites and modern technological tools that facilitate the search process and provide them with an integrated index of topics arranged in an easy way that shortens their time and effort. In this regard, you can do one of the following:
- Use the online search assistant Zotero, which allows you to collect and arrange data in a library all your own and supports many electronic sources from which you may find information.
- Download reports, studies, and other sources of information to your computer or smartphone. Keeping them with you and arranging and coordinating them makes it easy to access them even when the Internet is not available.
8- Write down your thoughts.
Ideas come suddenly, without warning. So when you do research, make sure you have a small notebook and a pen with you to write down any interesting information, any sudden ideas that come to your mind, or even additional sources that you can refer to to find new information.
9- Arrange your information
Be accurate and logical, and do not randomly place information in your search. When you find useful information, make a note of it, including the link and the source from which you obtained it.Also, double-check the citations and names of studies and research before using them in your research. Adhering to these steps ensures that you can easily refer to information when needed and helps you find additional information quickly and easily.
10- Update your information.
The ability to find relevant information from various sources is one of the most important research skills. Going back to a study conducted 50 years ago will not be very helpful if your research deals with a contemporary issue. Here, you must always strive to update the information you find. Look for sources of modern information and try not to resort to old studies and research unless they form the basis for your work or with the aim of comparing them with new studies.
Whether you are conducting academic research or your research is aimed at developing yourself professionally, be sure to follow the previous steps to get better results and develop your research skills. It may be difficult at first, but with practice it will become easier, and it will not take much time until you find yourself automatically committing to these steps without your awareness.
Read also: What are the emotional intelligence skills of successful people?
