Role of computers and internet in research

Theoretical overview

Computers in Research

The computers are indispensable throughout the research process. The role of computer becomes more important when the research is on a large sample. Data can be stored in computers for immediate use or can be stored in auxiliary memories like floppy discs, compact discs, universal serial buses (pen drives) or memory cards, so that the same can be retrieved later. The computers assist the researcher throughout different phases of research

process.

Role of Computers in the phases of research process

There are five major phases of the research process where computer plays different vital roles. They are:

1) Role of Computer in Conceptual phase

2) Role of Computer in Design and planning phase

3) Role of Computer in Empirical phase

4) Role of Computer in Analytic phase and

5) Role of Computer in Dissemination phase

1. Role of Computer in Conceptual Phase:

The conceptual phase consists of formulation of research problem, review of literature, theoretical frame work and formulation of hypothesis.

Role of Computers in Literature Review:

Computers help for searching the literatures (for review of literature) and bibliographic references stored in the electronic databases of the world wide webs. It can thus be used for storing relevant published articles to be retrieved whenever needed. This has the advantage over searching the literatures in the form of books, journals and other newsletters at the libraries which consume considerable amount of time and effort.

2. Role of Computers in Design and planning phase

 Design and planning phase consist of research design, population, research variables, sampling plan, reviewing research plan and pilot study.

3. Role of Computers for Sample Size Calculation: Several software’s are available to calculate the sample size required for a proposed study. NCSS-PASS-GESS is such software. The standard deviation of the data from the pilot study is required for the sample size calculation.
4. Role of Computers in Empirical phase Empirical phase consist of collecting and preparing the data for analysis. Data Storage: The data obtained from the subjects are stored in computers as word files or excel spread sheets. This has the advantage of making necessary corrections or editing the whole layout of the tables if needed, which is impossible or time-consuming in case of writing in papers. Thus, computers help in data entry, data editing, data management including follow up actions etc. Computers also allow for greater flexibility in recording the datawhile they are collected as well as greater ease during the analysis of these data.

In research studies, the preparation and inputting data is the most labour intensive and time consuming aspect of the work. Typically the data will be initially recorded on a questionnaire or record form suitable for its acceptance by the computer. To do this the researcher in conjunction with the statistician and the programmer, will convert the data into Microsoft word file or excel spread sheet. These spread sheets can be directly opened with statistical software’s for analysis.

5. Role of Computers in Data Analysis:

This phase consist of statistical analysis of the data and interpretation of results.

Data Analysis: Much software is now available to perform the ‘mathematical part ‘of the research process i.e. the calculations using various statistical methods. Software’s like SPSS, NCSS-PASS, STATA and Sysat are some of the widely used. They can be like calculating the sample size for a proposed study, hypothesis testing and calculating the power of the study. Familiarity with any one package will suffice to carry out the most intricate statistical analyses.

Computers are useful not only for statistical analyses, but also to monitor the accuracy and completeness of the data as they are collected.

6. Role of Computers in Research Dissemination

This phase is the publication of the research study.

Research publishing: The research article is typed in word format and converted to portable data format (PDF) and stored and/or published in the World Wide Web.Use of Computer in Data Processing and Tabulation Research involves large amounts of data, which can be handled manually or by computers. Computers provide the best alternative for more than one reason. Besides its capacity to process large amounts of data, it also analyses data with the help of a number of statistical procedures. Computers carry out processing and analysis of data flawlessly and with a very high speed. The statistical analysis that took months earlier takes now a few seconds or few minutes. Today, availability of statistical software and access to computers has increased substantially over the last few years all over the world. While there are many specialized software application packages for different types of data analysis, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) is one such package that is often used by researchers for data processing and analysis. It is preferred choice for social work research analysis due to its easy to use interface and comprehensive range of data manipulation and analytical tools.

Basic Steps in Data Processing and Analysis

There are four basic steps involved in data processing and analysis using SPSS. They are:

1) Entering of data into SPSS,

2) Selection of a procedure from the Menus,

3) Selection of variables for analysis, and

4) Examination of the outputs.

You can enter your data directly into SPSS Data Editor. Before data analysis, it is advised that you should have a detailed plan of analysis so that you are clear as to what analysis is to be performed. Select the procedure to work on the data. All the variables are listed each time a dialog box is opened. Select variables on which you wish to apply a statistical procedure. After completing the selection, execute the SPSS command. Most of the commands are directly executed by clicking ‘O.K’. on the dialog box. The processor in the computer will execute the procedures and display the results on the monitor as ‘output file’

Role of the Internet in Research

The Internet is a huge research resource that offers access to various materials on almost any subject. Scholarly articles, books, and other information sources are more accessible than ever because of the growth of internet databases and digital libraries. Additionally, the Internet is vital for researcher collaboration and communication because it allows them to exchange thoughts, information, and findings instantly. However, other people contend that the Internet is not a trustworthy source of information since not all of the data found there is dependable or accurate. It is crucial to assess the material attentively and keep the sources’ reliability in mind.

Furthermore, there are concerns about plagiarism and how simple it is to copy and paste text from the Internet without giving proper credit also exist. There are security and privacy issues when using the Internet for research. As a result, it is crucial to use critical thinking while assessing the reliability of sources discovered online. When employing sources for research, it is equally crucial to correctly reference them to acknowledge the original writers and guarantee that your work is appropriately credited.

How Does Internet Aid Research?

There are many ways in which the Internet can aid research, some of which include

• Providing access to vast information − The Internet allows researchers to access various information on virtually any topic, including scholarly articles, books, and other sources.
• Facilitating communication and collaboration − The Internet enables researchers to communicate and collaborate in real-time, regardless of their geographic location. This can be especially useful for researchers working on large, international projects.
• Enabling online research tools − Many online research tools, such as survey platforms and data analysis software, can help researchers collect and analyze data more efficiently.
• Allowing for the sharing of research results − Researchers can use the Internet to share their research results with others through online platforms such as research repositories and social media.
• Facilitating research publication − The Internet has made it easier for researchers to publish their work, as many journals now accept submissions and publish articles online.

Overall, the Internet is an invaluable resource for researchers, providing access to information, facilitating communication and collaboration, and enabling online research tools.

Cons for Research Using the Internet

There are a few potential problems with using the Internet for research, including

• The credibility of sources − It is important to be mindful of the sources found on the Internet, as not all information is reliable. Evaluating the information critically and verifying the sources’ accuracy is important.
• Plagiarism − It is easy to unintentionally plagiarize when using the Internet for research, as it is easy to copy and paste text without proper citation. It is important to cite sources properly to avoid plagiarism and to give credit to the original authors.
• Information overload − With so much information on the Internet, it can be challenging to sort through it all and find the most relevant and reliable sources. It is important to be selective and to focus on high-quality sources.
• Security and privacy − There are security and privacy concerns to consider when using the Internet for research, particularly when handling sensitive data. It is important to use secure communication methods and protect personal information.

While the Internet is a valuable resource for research, it is important to be aware of these potential problems and to take steps to address them.

Ethical Considerations While Using the Internet for Research

To ethically use the Internet for research, here are a few things to consider

• Evaluate the credibility of sources − Not all information on the Internet is reliable, so it is important to evaluate the credibility of sources. Look for sources from reputable organizations or individuals, and consider the authors’ credentials.
• Properly cite sources − It is important to cite them properly in your research to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism. Follow the citation style guidelines appropriate for your field of study.
• Protect sensitive data − If you are handling sensitive data during your research, it is important to take steps to protect it. This may include using secure methods of communication, such as encrypted email, and storing data securely.
• Obtain necessary permissions − If you use someone else’s work in your research, be sure to obtain the necessary permissions. This may include obtaining permission to use images, videos, or other copyrighted material.
• Respect intellectual property rights − It is important to respect intellectual property rights and to use copyrighted material only following the law. This may include obtaining permission to use the material or using it within the limits of fair use.

Points to remember

1. The computers are indispensable throughout the research process. The role of computer becomes more important when the research is on a large sample. Data can be stored in computers for immediate use or can be stored in auxiliary memories like floppy discs, compact discs, universal serial buses (pen drives) or memory cards, so that the same can be retrieved later. The computers assist the researcher throughout different phases of research process.
2. There are five major phases of the research process where computer plays different vital roles. They are: Role of Computer in Conceptual phase ,Role of Computer in Design and planning phase, Role of Computer in Empirical phase, Role of Computer in Analytic phase and, Role of Computer in Dissemination phase
3. The Internet is a huge research resource that offers access to various materials on almost any subject. Scholarly articles, books, and other information sources are more accessible than ever because of the growth of internet databases and digital libraries