Conducting Research in the Twenty-First Century

                                                                Saturday Ambassador

I was born in 1969. I grew up with 8-track tapes, vinyl records and books printed on paper; I was the remote control when anyone decided to switch between the three television stations we received. Kids walked everywhere or rode bicycles, and we employed our imaginations when we required entertainment. Obtaining information for a term paper or project meant visiting the library – the computer age had not yet arrived, though the first phenomenally-expensive consumer computers hit the market in 1977. For example, the Apple II circa 1977 cost $1298 with 4K RAM or $2638 with 48K RAM. The average cost of a new car that year was $5814. (Computer History Museum)

 

"Apple II became an instant success when released in 1977 with its printed circuit motherboard, switching power supply, keyboard, case assembly, manual, game paddles, A/C powercord, and cassette tape with the computer game "Breakout." When hooked up to a color television set, the Apple II produced brilliant color graphics." (Computer History Museum).

Libraries are wonderful places filled with the philosophies of great scholars, a wealth of technical manuals, newspapers and historical publications and the exquisite imaginings of writers from all genres. You can immerse yourself in history, drama and all manner of exotic subjects. Sadly, these magical realms are becoming somewhat obsolete with the advent of the Internet.

Although libraries will forever maintain a special place in my heart, research was a rather slow and tedious process. Today's internet is a potent tool which places information about nearly everything at your fingertips – literally. Use it! This age of fast, powerful computers and internet availability provides a tremendous advantage. Yet, the pervasive spread of corrupt and incorrect information is staggering. Don't contribute to the problem: Verify your facts, use reputable sources, compare information from multiple sites to confirm validity of the sources, read at every opportunity from a variety of genres, learn from the experience, grow and revel in the power of the printed word.

 

The Reader, Jennifer Zwick, 2005, Archival pigment print, 40" x 32"

~Saturday Ambassador

Sources:

"Timeline of Computer History". Computer History Museum. 2006. Web. September 27, 2013. <http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/?category=cmptr>