Researchers face several challenges when harnessing scholarly articles, particularly web-based research articles. Some of the challenges include an overabundance of information, poor website design, misinformation, and monetary concerns (Bodrero, 2002). In addition, many researchers rely on a few databases when researching scholarly articles. As a result, they often miss important scholarly articles that are available in other databases. However, there are several strategies that researchers can use when researching scholarly articles. This paper will discuss in detail the challenges and strategies for researching scholarly articles.
One of the challenges for researching the scholarly article is information overload. The volume of available information on web-based platforms is more than any one information retrieval system can index, and more than any researcher can read. This information is not properly organized and well-indexed (Vom Brocke et al., 2015). The lack of central organization and indexing makes the overabundance of information more confusing (Vom Brocke et al., 2015). This is because, in most cases, many irrelevant documents are retrieved. Secondly, websites are not designed for easy navigation. Therefore, it is very challenging to determine which link on the crowded homepage leads to the scholarly article. Most of the prominent links are the links to “subscribe today” (Bodrero, 2002). A wide range of academic articles is available on the internet. However, most of these articles, particularly peer-reviewed journals, are published in fee-based electronic journals. These fees are barriers to information access. Other challenges include technical challenges, such as servers going down, and scholarly misconduct, and misinformation.
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Several strategies can be used to address some of the challenges discussed above. Some of these strategies include the use of controlled vocabularies, web site evaluation, the use of alternative web-based resources, and complementing web-based resources with print resources (Bodrero, 2002). There is a need to develop a comprehensive search strategy for several databases. In addition, there a need for critical appraisal tools, such as the Critical Appraisals Skills Programme (CASP), to test the validity and reliability of scholarly articles (Harrison et al., 2017). When researching scholarly articles, one should use keywords and Boolean operators in their search strategy.
References
Bodrero Hoggan, D. (2002). Challenges, strategies, and tools for research scientists: using Web-based information resources.
Harrison, J. K., Reid, J., Quinn, T. J., & Shenkin, S. D. (2017). Using quality assessment tools to critically appraise ageing research: a guide for clinicians. Age and Ageing , 46 (3), 359-365.
Vom Brocke, J., Simons, A., Riemer, K., Niehaves, B., Plattfaut, R., & Cleven, A. (2015). Standing on the shoulders of giants: Challenges and recommendations of literature search in information systems research. C ommunications of the Association for Information Systems , 37 (1), 9.
