Relevance is one of the most important qualities of a researcher. Science is a discipline that demands its practitioners to be up-to-date with all the recent findings but to speak the truth, it is almost impossible for someone to be aware of everything that is happening in their field. Luckily, nowadays, we have various tools and services that can help us make this impossible task possible. In simple terms, we will explain the importance of staying on top of your field of research and which tools, in particular, can be used to achieve that.
To shape your future as a researcher, you need to nail down a good research idea first, and for that, it is crucial to know about all the contemporary research in your field. Staying up-to-date is not easy in recent times; countless research papers are published daily, covering the latest breakthroughs in various areas of science, literature, technology, fashion, culinary art, and several other disciplines. But without a thorough knowledge of other research, setting your long-term research goals and building your career as a researcher is impossible. Research means constant hypotheses, methodologies, evaluations, and so on; all these stages of research are challenging. But making these harder than they need to be is foolish. We are lucky that in modern times we have tools like Open Source Materials, Podcasts, Articles, Seminars, and Social Media which have made this journey easier for researchers.
- Open Source Materials: Many researchers consider this a valuable source. To understand the importance of this tool, first, we need to understand what it is. Almost every university uploads some of its study materials online, making them accessible to everyone. Not only that, they even offer courses, and upon completion, they provide the students with certificates. Through their learning exercises, these courses enhance communication skills and networking, which are very important for researchers.
- Articles and Journals: It is no surprise that articles and journals help us stay up-to-date with our fields. Every day countless articles and journal call for papers come out which are not only easy to find but are detailed and informative. All these articles and journals are mostly focused on a particular topic; therefore, just by subscribing to a few channels, we get notifications and stay aware of almost every new research.
- Social Media: It is something that holds enormous power, but only when it is used tactfully. Many researchers make the mistake of not using this tool. It is helpful both in gaining knowledge and building connections. Numerous pages post about recent discoveries, and if you want, you can talk directly to other researchers, and thus you can build a strong network for yourself.
- Seminars and Webinars: Only working on your research is not sufficient. It is important to talk to other researchers and make your face familiar among your own kind so that in the future, you get the resources you need. Many of us do not realize the importance of networking until it is too late. Conferences like seminars and webinars are the best ways to build connections and secure resources. In the beginning, attending and participating in these can be overwhelming, especially for introverts, but things get much easier once you start.
Apart from these, podcasts are interesting tools that help you stay on top of everything in your research field. Moreover, it only demands a little time as one can listen to a podcast of their choice anytime, anywhere, while doing other work. This way, you are saving time and gaining knowledge at once. Later you can read thoroughly about the new ideas and discoveries you heard on that podcast.
