RESEARCH TIPS
Too much information!
Tarja Moles helps you deal with information overload
Tarja Moles
It’s wonderful that these days a huge amount of information is so easily accessible. However, the sheer number of websites on the internet and publications in libraries can leave you overwhelmed. What can you do to combat information overload and filter information you need to deal with?
Take preventive action
The first – and possibly most important – step is to adopt strategies that help you avoid being overwhelmed in the first place. The most fundamental one is to be clear about what you’re researching. Remember: random research will give you random results. Make a detailed research plan and identify what information you need. Is it specific facts? Descriptions and depictions of places? Do you want to understand people’s mindset within a particular culture? Do you aim to focus on a tiny detail or have a larger frame of reference, such as, to understand historical developments over a long period of time? Whatever it is, make sure you know where to direct your attention.