Organizing Information

Summary

In this informative session, George shares strategies for managing research effectively during academic careers. He emphasizes the importance of organizing information, especially when faced with an overwhelming amount of data. George highlights tools like EBSCO databases for saving sources, and Zotero for organizing and generating bibliographies. Additionally, he discusses how he stays updated with professional trends using tools like Feedly for news aggregation and Cinahl for notifications on relevant articles. By leveraging these resources, individuals can streamline their research process and maintain awareness of current developments in their fields.

Takeaways

• 📚 Many research projects require effective organization of information.
• 🗂️ Databases like Academic Search Complete offer features for creating accounts and saving sources to folders.
• 🔗 EBSCO databases provide consistent access to saved folders across different platforms.
• 📖 Information management tools, such as Zotero, help collect and organize sources efficiently.
• 🗃️ Zotero allows users to create folders for specific topics, attach PDF files, and generate bibliographies.
• 🏫 Organizational tools are beneficial for both academic and professional research endeavors.
• 🔔 Tools like Feedly help track new articles and updates from favorite journals and websites.
• 📩 Setting up notifications in databases like CINAHL keeps researchers informed about relevant publications.
• 🐦 Twitter is a valuable resource for staying updated on current events by following news websites and politicians.
• 🧩 Developing a personalized system for organizing information is crucial for managing the abundance of available resources.

Q & A

What is a common challenge faced by students during their academic research?

Many students struggle with organizing the vast amount of information available and assessing its accuracy, which can become overwhelming when writing papers.

What organizational tools does George recommend for managing research?

George suggests using features available in databases, such as creating accounts to save sources to folders, and also recommends using information management tools like Zotero.

How does Zotero assist students with their research?

Zotero allows users to collect sources in one place, organize them into different folders, attach PDF files, and generate bibliographies for their research projects.

What advantage does creating an account in academic databases like EBSCO provide?

Creating an account allows users to save relevant sources to folders, ensuring they can easily access those sources whenever they log in to the database.

How can students stay informed about the latest trends and news in their fields?

Students can use tools like Feedly to track favorite journals and websites for new articles and set up notifications in databases like CINAHL for relevant articles based on specific keywords.

What role does Twitter play in George's information management strategy?

George uses Twitter to follow various news websites and politicians, helping him stay updated on current events without being overwhelmed by information.

What system does George suggest for organizing information?

George emphasizes the importance of developing a personal system for organizing information and being aware of available resources to help track and manage information efficiently.

Why is it beneficial for students to learn organizational skills during their academic career?

Learning organizational skills helps students manage their research effectively, which is essential for academic success and will be valuable in graduate school or professional environments.

How can setting up notifications in research databases help professionals?

Setting up notifications allows professionals to receive alerts whenever new articles are published that reference their specific keywords, keeping them informed about the most relevant material.

What is the primary focus of George's research projects at NKU?

George's research projects primarily focus on finding quality information and assessing its accuracy while also tackling the challenge of organizing that information.