City and Guilds ~ICT For IT Users~(Digital Media)

Level 2 – Unit 207Using the Internet to Find and Send

Information(Internet Research)

Tutor: Dr. Thomas Scottt.scott@springvalelearning.com

Using the Internet (Level 2): Lesson Content

1.Introducing the Unit2.Research: An Overview3.Using the Internet for

research.4.What is communication

software?5.Case study: Skype6.Facebook/Email/Blogging7.Adjusting Your Browser

Introducing the Unit

By the end of this unit you will have acquired knowledge of research techniques, internet research techniques, and how to acquire and send information via a variety of platforms.

You will also gain an understanding of research roles within digital media.

The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions (The Oxford Dictionary, 2014).

1. Scholarly or scientific investigation or inquiry. 

2. Close, careful study. (thefreedictionary.com, 2012)

Research: Some Definitions

Qualitative research is used to explore and understand people's beliefs, experiences, attitudes, behaviour and interactions. It generates non- numerical data, e.g. a patient's description of their pain rather than a measure of pain. In health care, qualitative techniques have been commonly used in research documenting the experience of chronic illness and in studies about the functioning of organisations.

Quantitative research generates numerical data or data that can be converted into numbers, for example clinical trials or the National Census, which counts people and households.

(Bandolier, 2007)

Research: Qualitative and Quantitative

Research: Primary

A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event.

Some types of primary sources include: ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (excerpts or translations acceptable): Diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records 

CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art 

RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings

Example: The Diary of Anne Frank - Experiences of a Jewish family during WWII.

Research: Secondary

A secondary source interprets and analyses primary sources. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them. Some types of secondary sources include: Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopaedias 

Examples of secondary sources include:

A journal/magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings 

A history textbook  A book about the effects of

WWI  Example: The Munich Air Disaster

Working as a Researcher in Film and Television.

A film/TV researcher provides support to the producer and production team.

A researcher contributes ideas for programmessources contacts and contributors, collects, verifies and prepares information for film, television and radio productions.

They can work on a wide variety of programmes or within one subject area. The work involves organising, planning and researching everything that will happen during the programme such as who will be interviewed, the location, if the film crew will fit, if the budget will stretch.

The researcher has a responsibility for fact checking, writing briefs for presenters and ensuring that there is adherence to appropriate legislation relating to the production.

Before the internet, conducting research for school, work or out of curiosity involved a set of encyclopaedias and a trip to the library. However, we now live in an age where information is readily accessible from your computer.

On the Web, you can find information about any topic you desire. The World Wide Web is a huge database of user–submitted content where you can access an astronomical number of informative sources, online groups and multi-media.

Because all of the content on the internet is self-submitted, and there are very few regulations as to what a person can and can’t publish (depending on local laws), content found on the Web may be inaccurate and opinion based.

Nevertheless, the internet should not be disregarded when conducting research. It is a major source for films, TV shows, video games, academic journals, news, books, credible magazines, general information and other relevant content (Internet Browser Review, 2009).

Using the Internet for Research

Internet Research: Pros vs. Cons

Pros Cost effective (usually free) Its quick Open 24/7 (as opposed to libraries, for example)

Almost unlimited information. Can be accessed almost anywhere

Many newspapers and magazines are available online

Cons Sources can be unreliable

Connection problems

Not all material is available online

Internet Research: Some Reliable Sources

Wikipedia: Reliable?

Using Wikipedia for research: click to play

Googled ‘research centres Belfast’ – Results include: Sonic Arts ((0)28 9097 4829) Research Centre, and the Social Research Centre (028 90 826663).

Sample Task: Researching Research centres in the local area. (Find Two, list the contact numbers, and

save a screenshot of their webpage.)

Using the Internet to Send Information

What is Communication Software?

CS is generally considered to be an app or a piece of software that allows the user to send information (including documents, images etc.) from one system (PC, Mac, iPhone ) to another. For example:

Chat rooms Instant Messengers Email accounts Online storage accounts

(file transfer programs) Photo sharing websites/apps

Communication Software: Skype(The Main Features and the Benefits)

Features: Messaging Video Calling Sharing

Some Benefits:• Money saving

• Connect instantly with friends/family worldwide

• Send files electronically, including

videos and photos• Conference calling – good

for businesses

A survey back in 2009 (Web Pro News Survey Link) found that Facebook was the most common online communication tool. Second on the list, was email.

The Most Common Online Communication Tool?

With a blog, you immediately become part of a large network of bloggers with whom you can share thoughts and ideas, and engage in some of the cutting edge debates in your area of interest. Not only can this further enhance your reputation, it’s a great opportunity to hone your communication skills as well as gain valuable feedback on ideas and broaden your professional network. For early career researchers, starting a blog can be beneficial as you network with more experienced academics and pick up tips on how to publish, or refine your CV for example.. However, be careful, posting your research online can be risky.

Some free blogs include Blogger and Wordpress.

Posting Your Research on a Blog

Adjusting/updating Your Browser for Research Assistance. Ideas?

Bookmark Archives/Links Make a search engine your homepageAdd a multi search engine to your tool barUsing multiple tabsMake sure the latest patch installed.Store your history when researching

Any Questions?