What is Internet?

Definition, Uses, Working,

Advantages and Disadvantages
The Internet is the foremost important tool and the prominent resource that is being
used by almost every person across the globe. It connects millions of computers,
webpages, websites, and servers. Using the internet we can send emails, photos,
videos, and messages to our loved ones. Or in other words, the Internet is a widespread
interconnected network of computers and electronic devices(that support Internet). It
creates a communication medium to share and get information online. If your device
is connected to the Internet then only you will be able to access all the applications,
websites, social media apps, and many more services. The Internet nowadays is
considered the fastest medium for sending and receiving information.
History of the Internet
The Internet came in the year 1960 with the creation of the first working model
called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency). It allowed multiple computers to
work on a single network which was their biggest achievement at that time. ARPANET
uses packet switching to communicate multiple computer systems under a single
network. In October 1969, using ARPANET first message was transferred from one
computer to another. After that technology continues to grow.
How is the Internet Set Up?
The internet is set up with the help of physical optical fiber data transmission cables or
copper wires and various other networking mediums like LAN, WAN, MAN, etc. For
accessing the Internet even the 2G, 3G, and 4G services and the Wifi require these
physical cable setups to access the Internet. There is an authority named ICANN
(Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) located in the USA which
manages the Internet and protocols related to it like IP addresses.
How Does the Internet Work?
The actual working of the internet takes place with the help of clients and servers. Here
the client is a laptop that is directly connected to the internet and servers are the
computers connected indirectly to the Internet and they are having all the websites
stored in those large computers. These servers are connected to the internet with the
help of ISP (Internet Service Providers) and will be identified with the IP address.
Each website has its Domain name as it is difficult for any person to always remember
the long numbers or strings. So, whenever you search for any domain name in the
search bar of the browser the request will be sent to the server and that server will try
to find the IP address from the Domain name because it cannot understand the domain
name. After getting the IP address the server will try to search the IP address of the
Domain name in a Huge phone directory that in networking is known as a DNS server
(Domain Name Server). For example, if we have the name of a person and we can easily
find the Aadhaar number of him/her from the long directory as simple as that.
So after getting the IP address, the browser will pass on the further request to the
respective server and now the server will process the request to display the content of
the website which the client wants. If you are using a wireless medium of Internet like
3G and 4G or other mobile data then the data will start flowing from the optical cables
and will first reach towers from there the signals will reach your cell phones and PCs
through electromagnetic waves and if you are using routers then optical fiber
connecting to your router will help in connecting those light-induced signals to
electrical signals and with the help of ethernet cables internet reaches your computers
and hence the required information.
The Internet is the world’s most fascinating invention to date. The journey started
back in 1969 as a part of a research program and by the time of the ’90s, it became a
sensation among everyone. In fact, today, if you’re reading this, you should be
thankful for the Internet.
With a drastic change over the period of time, technology has changed. Today the
Internet has become a necessity and it is being used by more than 2 Billion population
throughout the globe. So, if we go back to 1969, the journey of the internet started as
a host-to-host network interaction and there’s no denying that it couldn’t have been
created by any individual therefore, a team of researchers developed this idea and with
the help of programmers and architecture, the Internet was born by ARPA
(Advanced Research Projects Agency) in 1969 and was initially called as ARPANET.
Now before we jump in, let’s discuss step by step right from the beginning. If you
break it down, the word Internet is derived from Interconnected Networks and this
simply indicates that it needs networks to be interconnected.
How Does it Work?
Generally, two main components uphold the functionality of the Internet, they are:
1. Packets
2. Protocols
So what are Packets and Protocols?
In networking, the data which is being transmitted through the internet is sent via
small segments/chunks which are later translated into bits, and the packets get routed
to their endpoint (destination) through different networking devices i.e. routers or
switches. Later, once the packet arrives at the receiver’s end, that small chunks of data
get reassembled in order to utilize or check the data that he/she requested. That’s why
they are used to push ease in networking and large data can be easily sent by sending
small units and this whole process of sending/receiving small bits is known as Packet
Switching.
Now let’s understand with an example – Let’s say a user wants to load an image from
the internet so the moment user clicks over the image, the whole image will not open
in one go. A small amount of data will start going from the server and will reach the
endpoint (user) and the moment all data will reach the user’s system, the image will
open on the user’s end. Those small packets are being sent via wires, radio waves,
etc. of the internet and once it completes its fetching, the user will be able to view the
whole image. Theoretically, a packet may consist of 1000-1500 bytes depending upon
the structure and connection.
Basic Infrastructure of the Internet
On the other end, do you know what a challenging task could be? Connecting two
computers with the help of any communication method. To solve the connection
issue, protocols were introduced. It is a standardized method of performing certain tasks
and data formatting so that two or more devices can communicate with each other.
Let’s narrow it down for better clarity:
 Ethernet – If both systems are connected over the same network
  IP (Internet Protocol) – for receiving and sending packets from network to
network
 TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) – To ensure that those packets are
arriving successfully in the same order,
 HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) – for formatting data over websites and
apps
Besides this, there are several other protocols for testing, routing, and encryption, and
for streaming games/videos, rather than using TCP, we use UDP (User Datagram
Protocol).
The bottom line is, no matter what kind of connection you’re providing to which
device, it can interpret and understand these protocols, that’s just because they’ll are
connected over the Internet.
How Does The Internet Work?
When You “Google” From a Web Browser
From opening a web browser to visiting a website, it all happens with specific methods
that we’re going to check in these 5 easy steps.

Internet Working Metrics

1. Firstly, you’ll be required to connect your system or PC with any router or

modem to establish a connection. This connection is the base of the
internet connection.
2. When you open the browser and start typing something like
“www.google.com”, your system will push a query command to your ISP
(Internet Service Provider) that is connected with other servers that store
and process data.
3. Now, the web browser will start indexing the URL that you’ve entered and
will fetch the details in numeric format (in their own language to identify
the address (unique) that you’re trying to reach.
4. Next is, now your browser will start sending the HTTP request where
you’re trying to reach and sends a copy of the website on the user’s
 system. Note: The server will send data in the form of small packets (from
the website to the browser)
5. Once all the data (of small packets) will be received at the user’s end
(PC/Laptop), the browser will start arranging all those small packets and
later will form a collective file (here, the browser will gather all the small
packets and rearrange them just like a puzzle) and then you’ll be able to
see the contents of that website
Note: The action happens so quickly that we don’t even notice what’s actually going
behind. Only, when the connection is poor, you do face difficulty in reaching or
loading any website or its content.
What are the Modes of Connecting Through the Internet?
There are certain ways of getting connected to the Internet and going online. So, for
that, you need an ISP (Internet Service Provider), the type of ISP you’ll be choosing
will depend upon the availability in your area and what kind of services they’re
offering to their customers. So, here we are listing some universal modes of the
internet:
 DSL: This technology (Digital Subscriber Line) uses a Broadband
connection which is in trend for the past few years. Your ISP will connect
your premises with the help of telephone wire despite the fact that you
own a telephone.
 Dial-Up: People used to connect their system with the help of a dial-up
connection, and it is one of the slowest types of Internet connection. This
is used to enable internet connectivity with the help of a telephone
connection and the user must have multiple connections then only they can
use a Dial-up connection.
 Cable TV Connection: It is being used to connect your system to the
Internet, and for that, you, ISP will connect it via cable TV wire. It also uses
Broadband technology and you really don’t need to have a Cable
connection for that. Cable is considered as most accessible and faster than
dial-up and DSL that we have for connection.
 Satellite: It also uses broadband technology but without interacting with
any cable connection. Hence, it connects wirelessly with the help of a
satellite and this enables its availability anywhere in the world. Thus,
being fancy and accessible it comes with a few drawbacks:
a- There can be network disturbance if the weather is unstable because it
connects via satellite.
b- The connectivity is not stable and they are considered slower as
compared to DSL or cable connection.
 3G/4G/5G: This is the new age technology in the entire world. It connects
wirelessly via different ISPs and is widely used in cell phones. But they
aren’t considered as stable as DSL or cable and most importantly they
come with a DATA LIMITATION cap for each month.
What are Internet Connection Protocols & Why is it Important for the Internet?
The protocols decide how the technology is going to work and in what governing ways
and what would be the quantity of data will be shared. They all are defined by
protocols and as per standard, both the parties (sender/receiver) have to follow the
same rule in order to communicate. However, these protocols are categorized into 3
major units:
1. TCP/IP: It is a variety of internet protocols (TCP/IP) for communicating
between a sender and a receiver. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP
(Internet Protocol) ensures that all users who are connected to the internet
have their own unique identity known as IP Address. However, how data
will flow into what segments (packets) is being decided by TCP. It divides
the whole message into small packets and reassembles them before it
reaches the receiver.
2. FTP: It is used for communicating from one point to another (computer)
over LAN (Local Area Network) or WAN (Wide Area Network). File
Transfer Protocol or FTP acts like a host and establishing connections
between computers and transferring files between them are seamless
whereas one connection is used for data connection and the other for the
control connection.
3. HTTP: The base of the Internet starts from HTTP (Hypertext Transfer
Protocol) and is being used to communicate all over (World Wide
Web) WWW. The concept of HTTP is to provide data over the Internet
(image, video, text, etc.) and the moment a user opens their web browser,
they’re connecting to the Internet and establishing an HTTP connection.
The foundation of HTTP began in the ’90s by Tim Berners-Lee which runs
on top of the TCP/IP network.
What are the Pillars of the Internet?
As we’ve discussed above, the Internet is built with different architectures and that’s
what makes it feasible for the general population. Besides this, some of the most
important types include the following:
 Switches: Switches help for connecting devices in a single network and use
small packet switching to send and receive data packets over the Internet.
Besides this, they have multiple ports by which a system can be
connected. So, when a packet arrives at any port, it starts cross-checking
the specifications and forwards the same to its destination. It also supports
broadcast and unicast communication.
 Router: They operate at the layer 3 OSI (Open Systems Interconnection
Model) model that is created for sending, receiving, and forwarding small
data packets within the connected system over the same network. In this
architecture, once the router receives the data packets, it inspects the
destined address, then consults its routing and transfers the same packet to
its desired location.
How do Websites and Several Applications use the Internet?
Let us understand in a simplified way, considering this article that you’re reading right
now. How you’re accessing it? The answer is pretty simple, as we discussed above,
this article is being sent via cable or radio waves to your system in the form of small
data packets from our web server right through the router and switches. Now, right
after this, once your system receives those small packets, the system will pass the
same to your web browser, and at last, your web browser (chrome, edge, etc.) will
reassemble all those small packets in a singular unit so that you can now view the
display for what you’ve requested from the server i.e. this article.
However, there are other specifications too which involves in this process, they are:
1. DNS Query: They act as a directory in the web browser. When you’re
looking for any specific domain, let’s say www.geeksforgeeks.org So here,
your browser doesn’t know this address, and for that, it will start looking
out for validation and a request will be sent to the server. Once the identity
will get confirmed from the database, you’ll get to see the results on your
system.
2. Handshaking (TCP & TLS): When two system connects via a router, the
process of determining protocols, speed, compression, and error correction
during that particular session is simply called handshaking between
networking devices. In this, establishing a connection with that IP is what
we call TCP handshaking whereas, it is also mandated to keep your system
safe so that no attackers can read those data packets and for that,
encryption is being created which is known as TLS handshake.
3. HTTP (Request & Response): When you request any page from the browser, take
an example of www.geeksforgeeks.org here, so when you send a request to
read the article “ How does the Internet work?” then the server pushes the
content to the form of CSS, HTML, and JavaScript and same will get
distributed in small data packets. The moment your system will receive
those packets, your browser will start interpreting those packets, and the
whole article will appear on your screen. (It might sound typical, but won’t
take more than 3 seconds)
What is an IP Address?
IP Address stands for Internet Protocol Address. Every PC/Local machine is having an
IP address and that IP address is provided by the Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
These are some sets of rules which govern the flow of data whenever a device is
connected to the Internet. It differentiates computers, websites, and routers. Just like
human identification cards like Aadhaar cards, Pan cards, or any other unique
identification documents. Every laptop and desktop has its own unique IP address for
identification. It’s an important part of Internet technology. An IP address is displayed
as a set of four-digit like 192.154.3.29. Here each number on the set ranges from 0 to
255. Hence, the total IP address range from 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255.
You can check the IP address of your Laptop or desktop by clicking on the Windows
start menu -> then right-click and go to network -> in that go to status and then
Properties you can see the IP address. There are four different types of IP addresses
are available:
1. Static IP Address
2. Dynamic IP Address
3. Private IP Address
4. Public IP Address
World Wide Web (WWW)
The world wide web is a collection of all the web pages, and web documents that you
can see on the Internet by searching their URLs (Uniform Resource Locator) on the
Internet. For example, www.geeksforgeeks.org is the URL of the GFG website, and
all the content of this site like webpages and all the web documents are stored on the
world wide Web. Or in other words, the world wide web is an information retrieval
service of the web. It provides users with a huge array of documents that are connected
to each other by means of hypertext or hypermedia links. Here, hyperlinks are known
as electronic connections that link the related data so that users can easily access the
related information hypertext allows the user to pick a word or phrase from text, and
using this keyword or word or phrase can access other documents that contain
additional information related to that word or keyword or phrase. World wide web is
a project which is created by Timothy Berner’s Lee in 1989, for researchers to work
together effectively at CERN. It is an organization, named World Wide Web
Consortium (W3C), which was developed for further development in the web.
Difference Between World Wide Web and the Internet
The main difference between the World Wide Web and the Internet are:

World Wide Web Internet

All the web pages and web

documents are stored there on
The Internet is a global network of computers that is
the World wide web and to find
accessed by the World wide web.
all that stuff you will have a
specific URL for each website.

The world wide web is a service. The Internet is an infrastructure.

The world wide web is a subset

The Internet is the superset of the world wide web.
of the Internet.

The world wide web is

The Internet is hardware-oriented.
software-oriented.

The world wide web

The Internet uses IP Addresses.
uses HTTP.

The world wide web can be

considered as a book from the The Internet can be considered a Library.
different topics inside a Library.

Uses of the Internet

Some of the important usages of the internet are:
 Online Businesses (E-commerce): Online shopping websites have made our life
easier, e-commerce sites like Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra are providing
 very spectacular services with just one click and this is a great use of the
Internet.
 Cashless Transactions: All the merchandising companies are offering services
to their customers to pay the bills of the products online via various digital
payment apps like Paytm, Google Pay, etc. UPI payment gateway is also
increasing day by day. Digital payment industries are growing at a rate of
50% every year too because of the INTERNET.
 Education: It is the internet facility that provides a whole bunch of
educational material to everyone through any server across the web. Those
who are unable to attend physical classes can choose any course from the
internet and can have point-to-point knowledge of it just by sitting at home.
High-class faculties are teaching online on digital platforms and providing
quality education to students with the help of the Internet.
 Social Networking: The purpose of social networking sites and apps is to
connect people all over the world. With the help of social networking sites,
we can talk, and share videos, and images with our loved ones when they
are far away from us. Also, we can create groups for discussion or for
meetings.
 Entertainment: The Internet is also used for entertainment. There are
numerous entertainment options available on the internet like watching
movies, playing games, listening to music, etc. You can also download
movies, games, songs, TV Serial, etc., easily from the internet.
Security and the Internet
Very huge amount of data is managed across the Internet almost the time, which leads
to the risk of data breaching and many other security issues. Both Hackers and
Crackers can lead to disrupting the network and can steal important information like
Login Credentials, Banking Credentials, etc.

Steps to Protect the Online Privacy

 Install Antivirus or Antimalware.

 Create random and difficult passwords, so that it becomes difficult to guess.
 Use a private browsing window or VPN for using the Internet.
 Try to use HTTPS only for better protection.
 Try to make your Social Media Account Private.
 If you are not using any application, which requires GPS, then you can turn
GPS off.
 Do not simply close the tab, first log out from that account, then close the
tab.
 Try to avoid accessing public Wifi or hotspots.
 Try to avoid opening or downloading content from unknown sources.
There is an element of the Internet called the Dark Web, which is not accessible from
standard browsers. To keep safe our data, we can use Tor and I2P, which helps in
keeping our data anonymous, that helps in protecting user security, and helps in
reducing cybercrime.
Social Impact of the Internet
The social impact of the Internet can be seen in both ways. Some say it has a positive
impact as it helps in gaining civic engagement, etc. whereas some say it has a negative
impact as it increased the risk of getting fooled by someone over the internet, getting
withdrawal from society, etc.
Whatever the impact of Social Media, one thing is that it changed the way of
connecting and interacting with others in society. The number of people increasing
day by day on social media platforms which helps in constructing new relationships
over social media, new communities are made on social media in the interest of the
people. Social Media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc are the most
used social media platform for both individual and business purposes where we can
communicate with them and perform our tasks.
Advantages of the Internet
 Online Banking and Transaction: The Internet allows us to transfer money
online through the net banking system. Money can be credited or debited
from one account to the other.
 Education, Online Jobs, Freelancing: Through the Internet, we are able to get
more jobs via online platforms like Linkedin and to reach more job
providers. Freelancing on the other hand has helped the youth to earn a side
income and the best part is all this can be done via the INTERNET.
 Entertainment: There are numerous options for entertainment online we can
listen to music, play games can watch movies, and web series, and listen to
podcasts, youtube itself is a hub of knowledge as well as entertainment.
 New Job Roles: The Internet has given us access to social media, and digital
products so we are having numerous new job opportunities like digital
marketing and social media marketing online businesses are earning huge
amounts of money just because the Internet is the medium to help us to do
so.
 Best Communication Medium: The communication barrier has been removed
from the Internet. You can send messages via email, Whatsapp, and
Facebook. Voice chatting and video conferencing are also available to help
you to do important meetings online.
 Comfort to humans: Without putting any physical effort you can do so many
things like shopping online it can be anything from stationeries to clothes,
books to personal items, etc. You can books train and plane tickets online.
 GPS Tracking and google maps: Yet another advantage of the internet is that
you are able to find any road in any direction, and areas with less traffic
with the help of GPS on your mobile.
Disadvantages of the Internet
 Time Wastage: Wasting too much time on the internet surfing social media
apps and doing nothing decreases your productivity rather than wasting time
on scrolling social media apps one should utilize that time in doing
something skillful and even more productive.
 Bad Impacts on Health: Spending too much time on the internet causes bad
impacts on your health physical body needs some outdoor games exercise
 and many more things. Looking at the screen for a longer duration causes
serious impacts on the eyes.
 Cyber Crimes: Cyberbullying, spam, viruses, hacking, and stealing data are
some of the crimes which are on the verge these days. Your system which
contains all the confidential data can be easily hacked by cybercriminals.
 Effects on Children: Small children are heavily addicted to the Internet
watching movies, and games all the time is not good for their overall
personality as well as social development.
 Bullying and Spreading Negativity: The Internet has given a free tool in the
form of social media apps to all those people who always try to spread
negativity with very revolting and shameful messages and try to bully each
other which is wrong.

Electronic Journals : Meaning, Types &

Impact in Academic Library
E-Journals, short for electronic journals, have revolutionized the way we access and
disseminate scholarly information in the digital age. As the digital counterpart to
traditional print journals, e-journals provide researchers, academics, and students with
an efficient and convenient means of accessing peer-reviewed articles, research papers,
and other scholarly content through online platforms. These journals cover a wide range
of disciplines and offer numerous advantages over their print counterparts, such as
immediate availability, enhanced searchability, interactive features, and global
accessibility. In this era of rapid information exchange and technological advancements,
e-journals have emerged as a fundamental resource for scholarly communication,
fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation across various fields of study.
What are Electronic Journals (E-Journals)?
E-Journals, or electronic journals, are digital versions of scholarly publications that are
available online. They serve as an electronic counterpart to traditional print journals,
offering an efficient and convenient way to access and distribute academic research and
scholarly content. E-journals cover a wide range of disciplines, including sciences,
humanities, social sciences, and more, catering to the diverse needs of researchers,
academics, students, and professionals. These journals are typically hosted on digital
platforms or databases, allowing users to browse, search, and retrieve articles
electronically. E-journals provide numerous advantages, such as immediate access to the
latest research, faster publication timelines, increased accessibility worldwide, and
interactive features like hyperlinks, multimedia content, and supplementary materials.
They have transformed the landscape of academic publishing, facilitating rapid
dissemination of knowledge and fostering global collaboration among scholars.

Some of the common benefits of e-journals are:

 E-journals offer widespread accessibility, allowing researchers and students from around
the world to access scholarly content without limitations imposed by physical location or
availability of print copies. This promotes inclusivity and equal access to knowledge.
 E-journals provide immediate access to the latest research findings and developments.
Unlike print journals, which often have a delay between acceptance and publication, e-
journals can publish articles online as soon as they are ready, enabling timely
dissemination of information.
 E-journals offer powerful search capabilities, allowing users to quickly locate specific
articles, authors, keywords, or topics of interest. Advanced search filters and indexing
systems make it easier to find relevant information within vast collections of articles.
 E-journals often include hyperlinks to related articles, references, or supplementary
materials, enhancing the reading experience and enabling readers to explore additional
resources with a simple click. Multimedia elements such as images, videos, and interactive
figures can also be incorporated, providing a richer understanding of the research.
 E-journals eliminate the need for expensive print production, distribution, and storage.
This results in cost savings for institutions, libraries, and researchers, as they can access
content digitally without purchasing or subscribing to physical copies.
 Traditional print journals require physical storage space, which can become an issue for
libraries and institutions with limited resources. E-journals overcome this constraint by
eliminating the need for physical storage, making it possible to house an extensive
collection of scholarly content in digital format.
 E-journals offer the advantage of easy updates and corrections. If an error or omission is
identified in an article, it can be promptly rectified and updated online, ensuring the
accuracy and integrity of the research record.
 E-journals can incorporate interactive features, such as discussion forums, and social
sharing options. This fosters engagement and collaboration among researchers, allowing
them to exchange ideas, provide feedback, and initiate conversations around the
published content.
 E-journal platforms often provide analytics and usage statistics, allowing researchers and
institutions to gather insights into article views, downloads, citations, and other metrics.
This data can be valuable for assessing the impact and reach of research publications.
 E-journals contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing the consumption of
paper, ink, and other physical resources associated with print publishing. Researchers and
institutions can minimize their carbon footprint and promote a greener approach to
knowledge dissemination by opting for digital access.
Historical development of Electronic Journals (E-journals)
The evolution of e-journal began with the full-text databases offered by traditional online
vendors like DIALOG during the late 1980s. The term ‘full-text’ was a misnomer, as it was
not making the complete text available. What they offered was bare ASCII files of the
journals and magazines, which stripped off the diagrams, photographs, graphs, and other
image objects of the article. During the early 1990s, online vendors used CD-ROM
technology and FAX technology to deliver almost instantly the complete- text through
technological integration of online bibliographic databases with a CD-ROM collection of
image files residing in a network of jukeboxes. It was like online ordering for articles
found during a bibliographic search, to be delivered by fax within a span of 15-30
minutes. In this process, for the first time, the bibliographic database, document
collection in electronic format, and document delivery activity were integrated through
different pieces of technology. With the emergence of the Internet and the web during the
mid-90s, full-text databases started including image objects like photographs and charts
as link files. The text was ASCII. There would be a thumbnail image of the graphic object,
which could be zoomed or an icon with the caption of the image object to act as a link.
The text was searchable. The e-journal we see today is a transformation of this Internet
version, which is generally a PDF image and an exact look-alike of the print with the text
as a searchable file. While PDF is the preferred format for e-journals by a number of
leading publishers and libraries, a large number of publishers and third-party
aggregators offer e-journals in a variety of other formats, like HTML and SGML. Etc. E-
journals in the latter formats are not exact look-alikes of the print, although they offer
complete text of the journal with graphic objects in the articles as embedded images. As
a major benefit of the e-journal revolution, the table of contents and abstracts for most of
scholarly and scientific journals are accessible free today. This development can fill the
database access gaps for Indian libraries to some extent.”

Characteristics of Electronic Journals (E-journals)

Electronic journals, or e-journals, possess distinct characteristics that set them apart
from traditional print journals. One key characteristic is their digital format, as e-journals
are published and distributed electronically through online platforms or databases. This
allows for immediate and convenient access to scholarly content from anywhere in the
world. E-journals are also highly interactive, incorporating features such as hyperlinks to
related articles or external sources, multimedia content like videos or interactive figures,
and supplementary materials. This interactivity enhances the reading experience and
facilitates deeper engagement with the research. Furthermore, e-journals are easily
searchable and indexed, enabling users to quickly find specific articles, authors, or topics
of interest. They also offer advantages like rapid publication cycles, global accessibility,
archiving and preservation in digital archives, and the ability to track usage metrics and
analytics. These characteristics collectively make e-journals a powerful tool for
researchers, academics, and students, fostering efficient knowledge dissemination,
collaboration, and access to scholarly information.

Electronic journals, or e-journals, possess several distinct characteristics that

differentiate them from traditional print journals. These characteristics include:
  Digital Format: E-journals are published and distributed in digital form, allowing easy
access and retrieval through online platforms or databases. They are typically available as
PDFs, HTML, or other electronic formats that are optimized for electronic devices.
 Online Accessibility: E-journals can be accessed via the internet from anywhere in the
world, providing immediate and convenient access to scholarly content. Users can read,
download, and search for articles without the need for physical copies or visiting physical
libraries.
 Interactivity: E-journals often incorporate interactive features to enhance the reading
experience. These features may include hyperlinks to related articles, multimedia content
such as videos or audio files, interactive figures, or supplementary materials, providing a
more engaging and immersive experience.
 Searchability and Indexing: E-journals have robust search functions that allow users to
search for specific articles, authors, keywords, or topics within the journal or across
multiple journals. They are typically indexed and tagged with metadata, making it easier
to discover and retrieve relevant articles.
 Hyperlinking and Cross-referencing: E-journals utilize hyperlinks to connect related
articles, references, or external sources. This enables readers to navigate seamlessly
between different resources, access cited works, or explore additional information related
to the published research.
 Multimedia Integration: E-journals can incorporate multimedia elements such as
images, videos, animations, or interactive visualizations. These multimedia features
enhance the presentation of research findings and provide a more comprehensive
understanding of complex concepts or data.
 Rapid Publication: E-journals often have faster publication cycles compared to print
journals. With streamlined workflows and online publishing systems, articles can be
published more quickly, allowing for the timely dissemination of research findings.
 Global Reach and Collaboration: E-journals transcend geographical boundaries,
enabling researchers worldwide to access and contribute to scholarly knowledge. This
facilitates international collaboration, knowledge sharing, and interdisciplinary research.
 Archiving and Preservation: E-journals are typically stored in digital archives, ensuring
long-term preservation and accessibility. Digital preservation techniques help safeguard
the content against loss or degradation, ensuring the availability of scholarly articles for
future generations.
 Usage Metrics and Analytics: E-journal platforms often provide usage statistics and
analytics, allowing publishers, authors, and institutions to track the impact and visibility
of their research. Metrics such as article views, downloads, citations, and social media
mentions can provide insights into the reach and influence of published works.

Types of Electronic Journals (E-Journals)

Here are two common types of electronic journals (e-journals):

i. Subscription-Based E-Journals: These e-journals require a subscription or

membership to access their content. They are typically available through institutional
subscriptions, where universities, libraries, or organizations pay fees to provide their
members or patrons with access to a collection of e-journals. Users may need to
authenticate their access through IP addresses or login credentials. Subscription-based
e-journals often include high-quality research articles, reviews, and other scholarly
content from various disciplines. The subscription fees contribute to the maintenance,
peer-review process, and publication costs of the e-journals.
ii. Open Access Journals: Open access e-journals provide free and unrestricted access to
their content, meaning readers can freely read, download, and share articles without any
paywalls or subscription fees. These journals believe that knowledge should be freely
accessible to the public. Open-access journals may be funded through various models,
including author fees, institutional support, grants, or sponsorships. They often employ
rigorous peer-review processes to ensure the quality of published articles. Open-access
journals have gained significant popularity as they promote wider dissemination of
research, increase visibility and impact, and foster collaboration and innovation.

Impact of Electronic Journals on Academic Libraries

The impact of electronic journals (e-journals) on academic libraries has been
transformative, revolutionizing the way libraries provide access to scholarly information.
E-journals have brought numerous benefits and changes, shaping the landscape of
academic library services. Here are some of the key impacts of e-journals in academic
libraries:

1. Increased Access to Scholarly Content: E-journals have expanded the reach of academic
libraries, providing access to a vast array of scholarly content from around the world. With
electronic access, libraries can offer their patrons an extensive collection of e-journals
covering various disciplines, even if they don’t have physical copies of all the journals. This
has enabled libraries to better meet the research needs of their users and enhance the
depth and breadth of their collections.
2. Cost Efficiency: E-journals have helped academic libraries mitigate the rising costs
associated with traditional print journals. While print subscriptions require substantial
financial investments, e-journals offer cost savings in terms of printing, shipping, and
storage. Libraries can allocate their budgets more effectively by subscribing to electronic
resources, optimizing their collection development strategies, and expanding access to a
wider range of e-journals.
3. Space Utilization: With e-journals, academic libraries have seen significant space-saving
benefits. Physical storage of print journals necessitates dedicated space, which can be
limited and costly. By shifting to electronic formats, libraries have been able to free up
physical space for other purposes, such as study areas, collaborative spaces, or additional
resources. This has allowed libraries to maximize the utilization of their physical
infrastructure and provide a more user-friendly environment.
4. Remote Access and 24/7 Availability: E-journals have empowered academic library
users by offering remote access to scholarly content. Patrons can access e-journals
anytime and from anywhere, eliminating the need to visit the physical library. This
flexibility allows researchers, students, and faculty to conveniently access the latest
research articles, study materials, and references, supporting their academic endeavors
and promoting continuous learning beyond the library’s operating hours.
5. Enhanced Search and Discovery: E-journals have revolutionized the search and
discovery experience within academic libraries. Electronic platforms provide powerful
search functionalities, allowing users to quickly locate specific articles, authors, or
subjects of interest. Advanced search filters, metadata, and indexing systems facilitate
precise and efficient retrieval of scholarly information, enabling researchers to find
relevant resources more effectively.
6. Usage Analytics and Decision Making: E-journals offer valuable usage analytics and
statistics that help academic libraries make informed decisions. Librarians can gather
data on article views, downloads, citation metrics, and user behavior. These insights aid
in collection development, budget allocation, and resource evaluation, enabling libraries
 to optimize their subscription choices and align their services with the evolving needs of
their users.
7. Preservation and Archiving: E-journals contribute to the preservation and archiving of
scholarly knowledge. Electronic archives ensure long-term accessibility and digital
preservation of scholarly content, safeguarding it from physical degradation or loss.
Libraries can contribute to digital preservation efforts by participating in initiatives that
aim to archive and maintain electronic journals for future generations.

The impact of e-journals in academic libraries has been profound. They have expanded
access to scholarly content, increased cost efficiency, optimized space utilization,
facilitated remote access and 24/7 availability, enhanced search and discovery
capabilities, fostered collaboration and interactivity, provided valuable usage analytics,
and contributed to preserving and archiving scholarly knowledge. As e-journals continue
to evolve, academic libraries will remain at the forefront of providing access.

What Is the Concept Of An E-library? How

Is It Useful?
A digital library, also known as an e-library, is a collection of documents in an
organized digital form, available on the internet or on disks. The purpose of an e-
library is to store, access, and manage magazine articles, books, audio files, images,
and video files. In the case of e-libraries, various data can be merged easily, which
helps keep information up-to-date.

E-libraries offer free copies of books and journals. There are various reasons for
creating and using digital libraries. They offer a plethora of resources at your
disposal. They also enable greater access to the content and can be managed from
various locations. To deep dive into understanding the functionality of an e-library,
here we list the advantages of an e-library for you.
1. Variety of content

Due to physical restraints, traditional libraries lacked the flexibility to include a

diverse range of content. On the other hand, digital libraries are able to keep the
books alive by also broadening the availability of the content online. It stores a wide
range of content in a virtual environment in the form of e-books, PDFs, podcasts,
and videos that can be updated and modified according to the user’s needs. Unlike
traditional libraries, which have physical constraints, e-libraries can be stored online
on a cloud, drive, or hardware.

2. Availability

There’s no better luxury than having access to knowledge and relevant information
pertaining to specific subjects. E-libraries save a lot of time by drawing out relevant
resources only through a simple search tab. In the case of a physical library or book,
the same could have taken hours. Finding a book in a library can be like finding a
needle in a pile of hay. Options like in-built content search options, a few keywords,
and title suggestions, would help a user draw relevant resources from the vast range
of material available online. Instant availability of these resources helps users save
time, prioritize other tasks, and store the found resources for future use.

3. Technological integration

Since the world is gradually transitioning to digitization, it's important that students-
the future generation, are introduced to technology in the early academic stages.
They can adapt their skills to prepare them for technological changes. Ever since the
COVID-19 outbreak, the usage of e-libraries has been emphasized as it has brought
seamless access to reading and study materials with the use of e-libraries. Students
not just have access to relevant resources but also gain technological education,
which is beneficial in the long run.

Sources like Pearson E-library, offer interactive and top-notch quality learning
content to students. They are easy to comprehend and are suitable for students of
various academic years. This e-library comprises course books for various
disciplines like engineering, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, etc.

4. Preserve knowledge for future generations

Physical storage devices like CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes, and even books and
journals are prone to damage. Or, they can be discarded simply because they are
not compatible with today’s technologies. Due to this vulnerability, traditional libraries
fail to preserve valuable research and studies for generations to come. But thanks to
the wonders of the internet, it has become possible to store and access this valuable
information on the Cloud, which keeps it a lot more secure. Furthermore,
sophisticated security measures also ensure that only authentic users have access
to it, so that the data present online isn’t tampered with.
5. Restores quality of information

It costs a great amount of investment to preserve and conserve library resources in

the traditional style. Since readers frequently access and reuse physical library
resources, it can be very difficult to prevent the deterioration of books and other
resources. Many organizations are moving to digitize their libraries in order to
preserve the data and make it available to a large number of users on a consistent
basis with minimized physical material preservation.

6. Accessible to the visually impaired too

Until recently, the visually impaired or individuals with other disabilities have been
restricted to sources of information. But e-libraries eliminate these limitations and
make resources accessible to them too. By making use of voice-assistant features or
read-out features, e-libraries make it easier for the disabled to surf through various
resources. With the use of assistive technology, it is now possible to provide an
equal amount of knowledge and accessibility to visually impaired students.

As the world is increasingly becoming digitized, e-libraries are emerging as a smarter

choice and an economical solution for global use. Digital libraries are not entirely
replacing the existence of physical documents but rather enhancing their availability
and preservation for the masses. It is critical to stay aligned with the new
technologies that will enhance the learning experience for the upcoming generation
and boost their skills and confidence in the face of challenges.

An e-Library or Digital Library (both terms often used interchangeably) is a collection of digital
objects. These Digital Objects could be classified as text, visuals, video, audio, etc.. Digital Library
stores these objects as standardized and customized electronic media formats instead of print,
micro form, or other media. Most importantly, a digital library should provide means for organizing,
storing, and retrieving the contents. e-Library stores the contents at a central location for providing
access on multiple devices.

1. A physical library consists of Physical Books, Magazines, Newspapers,

Monographs, reports, etc. Whereas, digital library consists of digital content viz e-
books, e-magazine, e-newspapers, e-reports, video, audio, rich media, animations,
etc.
2. A physical library has Limited Space and thus is difficult to expand. Whereas, a
digital library has limited (limited till scalability of underlying IT infrastructure) but
large space and thus makes it easier to expand.
3. A physical library will provide access to objects via Issue and borrow system
certainly limited to number of available quantities. Whereas, a digital library will
provide access to objects any number of times by any number of users.
4. A physical is created on a physical space. Whereas, a digital library is created on
virtual space viz. data centers, cloud, servers.
5. A physical library follows rack-based search and indexing. Whereas, a digital library
provides Web Interface based search and indexing.
6. The major demerit of physical library is material degradation, mutilation and loss
over time. Whereas, a digital library provides digital preservation and longtime
archival of the contents.
Components of Digital Library / e-Library:

An e-Library typically consists of the following components:

1. e-Content
2. Meta-Data
3. Repository
4. E-Library software
5. Underlying IT infrastructure
e-content:

The content of a digital library could be broadly classified in two categories. First, that is created in
a digital format, also known as born-digital. It is a collection of texts, images, etc. that can be stored,
retrieved and read over electronic devices. These devices for example can be computers, mobile,
digital readers, etc. The second form of content in the form of information that has been converted
from a physical medium, e.g. paper, Journals, books, etc. by digitizing.

The e-content also contains invisible properties known as Metadata, also described as data that
describes other data. It is often known as data about data or information about information. Meta
is a prefix that in most information technology usages means “an underlying definition or
description.” Metadata summarizes basic information about data, which can make finding and
working with particular instances of data easier. For example, an image may include metadata that
describes how large the picture is, the color depth, the image resolution, when the image was
created, and other data. A text document’s metadata may contain information about how long the
document is, who the author is, when the document was written, and a short summary of the
document.

Meta-Data

Metadata is an important aspect of e-Library. It is the structured information that describes,

explains or otherwise makes it easier to retrieve, use, or manage an information resource.

For educational purposes, an e-Library can adapt a set of metadata relevant to learning objects
from schema.org or Learning Resources Metadata Initiative (LRMI).

Schema.org is a collaborative, community activity with a mission to create, maintain, and promote
schema for structured data on the Internet, on web pages, in email messages, and beyond. One
can use schema.org vocabulary with many different encodings, including Resource Description
Framework in Attributes (RDFA), Micro-data and JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data
(JSON-LD). These vocabularies cover entities, relationships between entities and actions. One
can easily extend these through a well-documented extension model.

Learning Resource Metadata Initiative (LRMI) is a later version and a super-set incorporating all
relevant portions of schema.org. Since, schema.org didn’t have a way of naming the educational
parameters that could help narrow down the search; LRMI added them such as Educational Use,
Interactivity Type, Typical age range, etc.

Central Repository:

A digital library may create a reservoir of e-contents at a central repository. This repository is
basically a storage space attached to the repository servers. Typically, in a Data Centre. The
central repository should have access mechanisms along with data backup policies. The repository
is ever growing by creating new e-content and adding the content to the repository.
e-Library / Digital Library portal:

The e-Library portal acts as the front-end. It is also the predominant mode of access to knowledge
and learning. A user can access the huge reservoir of e-contents stored at a central repository
through the portal.

IT Infrastructure for establishment of Digital Library:

We will require an underlying IT infrastructure for hosting of web application, repository, e-Library
Studios and e-Library sections.

One can host the web application on hosting layers viz. web, application and database servers in
a secured environment of a Data Centre. Also, you can create the repository in the data center
itself with features of scalability as the repository is ever growing as informed above. The repository
will grow with addition of new e-contents. Users can create new e-contents in e-Library studios
with facility of creating digital contents. A typical e-Library studio consists of audio-video recording
and scanning equipment with features of editing and mixing. Organizations may create e-Library
sections at schools, colleges, community centers and of course in physical libraries for accessing
of e-contents. A typical e-Library section would consist of desktops (for personal access), TVs (for
broadcasting content to a larger audience) and required network infrastructure for connectivity to
the central repository.

e-Library Software:

The e-Library software should provide web-based access to the e-content stored at a Central
repository. It should have option to view, upload and manage the e-contents.

It should be an open to view for all i.e. anybody who wish to view contents through this portal can
view the available contents, whereas, for uploading new contents one needs to be an authenticated
user. Each user who wants to upload contents to e-Library portal has to register himself as a
content provider and duly approved by the Administrator. The portal will assign a username and
password to the user upon successful registration. The user will use these credentials for
accessing the portal for uploading contents on the portal with relevant information in the form of
metadata and license. After successfully passing through a number of validation steps and duly
approved by an authorized person (could be a subject matter expert) the uploaded content should
be available under an appropriate category.

The software should be accessible on desktop, laptop, mobile, tablets, etc. It would have advance
search features for filtering content uploaded based on standards, categories, age groups, etc.

Content policy:

Certainly, an e-Library should clearly define the policy of use of e-contents available via the
software. The content provider could either upload the content with a license of use. Or the creator
may provide his content under copyright of the creator. If he want to spread the knowledge he may
provide his content under open licenses with relevant attributes for use and distribution.

Role of Internet in Research

Our lives are complete with the internet. From entertainment to work, the
internet finds its use in all domains, making it easier for people to access
resources worldwide. The internet has truly shortened the distance between
people, and in turn, it has broadened access to information. This makes the
internet an excellent tool for research. A methodical, scientific investigation of
a particular issue or topic is known as research. It is a means to learn new
things and find answers to queries about our world.

Numerous subjects, including physics, engineering, the social sciences, and

the humanities, are open to research. It may involve various tasks, like
carrying out experiments, gathering and evaluating data, and reading
academic literature. The purpose of the study is to deepen our comprehension
of a subject and add to the corpus of knowledge in a certain area. For others
to utilize and build upon the work, research is frequently conducted to publish
the findings in a scientific journal or conference proceedings.

Role of the Internet in Research

The Internet is a huge research resource that offers access to various materials
on almost any subject. Scholarly articles, books, and other information sources
are more accessible than ever because of the growth of internet databases and
digital libraries. Additionally, the Internet is vital for researcher collaboration
and communication because it allows them to exchange thoughts, information,
and findings instantly. However, other people contend that the Internet is not
a trustworthy source of information since not all of the data found there is
dependable or accurate. It is crucial to assess the material attentively and keep
the sources' reliability in mind.

Furthermore, there are concerns about plagiarism and how simple it is to copy
and paste text from the Internet without giving proper credit also exist. There
are security and privacy issues when using the Internet for research. As a
result, it is crucial to use critical thinking while assessing the reliability of
sources discovered online. When employing sources for research, it is equally
crucial to correctly reference them to acknowledge the original writers and
guarantee that your work is appropriately credited.

How Does Internet Aid Research?

There are many ways in which the Internet can aid research, some of which
include
  Providing access to vast information − The Internet allows researchers to access
various information on virtually any topic, including scholarly articles, books, and
other sources.
 Facilitating communication and collaboration − The Internet enables researchers
to communicate and collaborate in real-time, regardless of their geographic location.
This can be especially useful for researchers working on large, international projects.
 Enabling online research tools − Many online research tools, such as survey
platforms and data analysis software, can help researchers collect and analyze data
more efficiently.
 Allowing for the sharing of research results − Researchers can use the Internet to
share their research results with others through online platforms such as research
repositories and social media.
 Facilitating research publication − The Internet has made it easier for researchers
to publish their work, as many journals now accept submissions and publish articles
online.

Overall, the Internet is an invaluable resource for researchers, providing

access to information, facilitating communication and collaboration, and
enabling online research tools.
Cons for Research Using the Internet

There are a few potential problems with using the Internet for research,
including

 The credibility of sources − It is important to be mindful of the sources found on the

Internet, as not all information is reliable. Evaluating the information critically and
verifying the sources' accuracy is important.
 Plagiarism − It is easy to unintentionally plagiarize when using the Internet for
research, as it is easy to copy and paste text without proper citation. It is important to
cite sources properly to avoid plagiarism and to give credit to the original authors.
 Information overload − With so much information on the Internet, it can be
challenging to sort through it all and find the most relevant and reliable sources. It is
important to be selective and to focus on high-quality sources.
 Security and privacy − There are security and privacy concerns to consider when
using the Internet for research, particularly when handling sensitive data. It is
important to use secure communication methods and protect personal information.

While the Internet is a valuable resource for research, it is important to be

aware of these potential problems and to take steps to address them.

Ethical Considerations While Using the Internet for Research

To ethically use the Internet for research, here are a few things to consider

 Evaluate the credibility of sources − Not all information on the Internet is reliable,
so it is important to evaluate the credibility of sources. Look for sources from
reputable organizations or individuals, and consider the authors' credentials.
 Properly cite sources − It is important to cite them properly in your research to give
credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism. Follow the citation style guidelines
appropriate for your field of study.
 Protect sensitive data − If you are handling sensitive data during your research, it is
important to take steps to protect it. This may include using secure methods of
communication, such as encrypted email, and storing data securely.
 Obtain necessary permissions − If you use someone else's work in your research,
be sure to obtain the necessary permissions. This may include obtaining permission
to use images, videos, or other copyrighted material.
 Respect intellectual property rights − It is important to respect intellectual
property rights and to use copyrighted material only following the law. This may
 include obtaining permission to use the material or using it within the limits of fair
use.
Conclusion

The Internet is a useful tool for research because it gives access to a wide
range of material, makes it easier for researchers to communicate and work
together, and makes it possible to employ online research tools. However, it
is crucial to exercise critical thought while evaluating the reliability of sources
discovered online. When conducting research online, it is equally crucial to
credit sources and upholds intellectual property rights properly. By adhering
to these rules, researchers can utilize the Internet as a useful resource for
their study ethically and responsibly.

What is a search engine?

A search engine is a coordinated set of programs that searches for and identifies
items in a database that match specified criteria. Search engines are used to access
information on the World Wide Web.
How do search engines work?
Google is the most commonly used internet search engine. Google search takes
place in the following three stages:

1. Crawling. Crawlers discover what pages exist on the web. A search

engine constantly looks for new and updated pages to add to its list of
known pages. This is referred to as URL discovery. Once a page is
discovered, the crawler examines its content. The search engine uses an
algorithm to choose which pages to crawl and how often.

2. Indexing. After a page is crawled, the textual content is processed,

analyzed and tagged with attributes and metadata that help the search
engine understand what the content is about. This also enables the
search engine to weed out duplicate pages and collect signals about the
content, such as the country or region the page is local to and
the usability of the page.

3. Searching and ranking. When a user enters a query, the search engine
searches the index for matching pages and returns the results that
appear the most relevant on the search engine results page (SERP). The
engine ranks content on a number of factors, such as the
authoritativeness of a page, back links to the page and keywords a page
contains.

Specialized content search engines are more selective about the parts of the web
they crawl and index. For example, Creative Commons Search is a search engine
for content shared explicitly for reuse under Creative Commons license. This
search engine only looks for that specific type of content.

Country-specific search engines may prioritize websites presented in the native

language of the country over English websites. Individual websites, such as large
corporate sites, may use a search engine to index and retrieve only content from
that company's site. Some of the major search engine companies license or sell
their search engines for use on individual sites.
 Search
engines crawl, index and rank content across the internet, using algorithms to decide placement on
results pages.

How search engines rank results

Not every search engine ranks content the same way, but some have similar
ranking algorithms. Google search and other search engines like it rank relevant
results based on the following criteria:

 Query meaning. The search engine looks at user queries to establish

searcher intent, which is the specific type of information the user is
looking for. Search engines use language models to do this. Language
models are algorithms that read user input, understand what it means
and determine the type of information that a user is looking for.

 Relevance. Keywords from search queries are matched to keywords in

content. Keywords that appear in several places in the content signify
more relevance than others.

 Quality. Search engines look for indicators of expertise, authority and

trustworthiness in the content. If other prominent websites link to the
content, it is considered more trustworthy.

 Usability. Search engines evaluate the accessibility and general user

experience of content and reward content with better page experience.
One example of page usability is mobile-friendliness, which is a measure
of how easy a webpage is to use on a mobile device.
  User data. A user's past search history, search settings and location data
are a few of the data types search engines use to determine the content
rankings they choose.

Search engines might use other website performance metrics, such as bounce rate
and time spent on page, to determine where websites rank on a results page. Search
engines might return different results for the same term searched as text-based
content versus an image or video search.

Search
engines often provide links to videos on their search engine results pages.

Content creators use search engine optimization (SEO) to take advantage of the
above processes. Optimizing the content on a page for search engines increases its
visibility to searchers and its ranking on the SERP. For example, a content creator
could insert keywords relevant to a given search query to improve results for that
query. If the content creator wants people searching for dogs to land on their page,
they might add the keywords bone, leash and hound. They might also include links
to pages that Google deems authoritative.

What is the goal of search engines?

The primary goal of a search engine is to help people search for and find
information. Search engines are designed to provide people with the right
information based on a set of criteria, such as quality and relevance.
Webpage and website providers use search engines to make money and to collect
data, such as clickstream data, about searchers. These are secondary goals that
require users to trust that the content they are getting on a SERP is enough to
engage with it. Users must see the information they're getting is the right
information.

User trust can be earned in different ways, including the following:

 Organic results. Unpaid organic results are seen as more trustworthy

than paid, ad-based results.

 Authority. Google seeks to establish a webpage's authority to identify it

as the source of true information.

 Privacy. DuckDuckGo is a search engine that uses privacy protection to

establish trust. It protects user privacy and avoids skewed search results
that can come from using personal information to target users or place
them in limited search categories, known as filter bubbles.

Search
engines return both organic and paid results; the two differ in several ways.
How do search engines make money?
Search engines make money in several ways, including the following:

 Pay-per-click ads. Advertisers or third-party advertising networks place

ads on SERPs and on the content itself. The more views or clicks a
 search-related keyword gets, the more advertisers pay to have their
advertisements associated with it.

 User data. Search engines also make money from the user data that
they collect. Examples include search history and location data. This
data is used to create a digital profile for a given searcher, which search
engine providers can use to serve targeted ads to that user.

 Contextual ads. Search engines also capitalize on serving up contextual

ads that are directly related to the user's current search. If a search
engine includes a shopping feature on the platform, it might display
contextual ads for products related to the user's search in the sidebar of
a website where advertisements are displayed. For example, if the
online store sells books, an ad may appear in the corner of the page for
reading glasses.

 Donations. Some search engines are designed help nonprofits solicit

donations.

 Affiliate links. Some engines include affiliate links, where the search
engine has a partnership in which the partner pays the search engine
when a user clicks the partner's link.

How do search engines personalize results?

Search engines personalize results based on digital searcher profiles
created from user data. User data is collected from the application or
device a user accesses the search engine with. User data collected
includes the following:

 search history

 search date and time

 location information

 audio data

 user ID

 device identification
  IP address

 device diagnostic data

 contact lists

 purchase history

Cookies are used to track browsing history and other data. They are small
text files sent from the websites a user visits to their web browser. Search
engines use cookies to track user preferences and personalize results and
ads. They are able to remember settings, such as passwords, language
preferences, content filters, how many results per page and session
information.

Using private browsing settings or incognito browsing protects users from

tracking but only at the device level. Search history and other information
accumulated during search is not saved and is deleted after the search
session. However, internet service providers, employers and the domain
owners of the websites visited are able to track digital information left
behind during a search.

Popular search engines

Google is the most popular search engine, capturing over 92% of the search engine
market share worldwide, according to web traffic analysis service
StatCounter. Yahoo and Microsoft Bing come in second and third with nearly 4%
and just over 1% of the market, respectively.

DuckDuckGo has gained some popularity because of its focus on protecting users'
private search data. Some users may prefer to use Bing or Yahoo for their other
integrated offerings.

Other popular search engines in the world are the following:

 Baidu

 BoardReader
  Brave Search

 Creative Commons Search

 Ecosia

 Ekoru

 Gibiru

 Gigablast

 GiveWater

 Haystak

 Mojeek

 MetaGer

 Naver

 OneSearch

 Onion Search

 Recon

 Search Encrypt

 SearX

 Sentient Hyper-Optimized Data Access Network (Shodan)

 Startpage

 Swisscows

 Qwant

 Wiki.com

 Wolfram Alpha

 Yandex

Some of these engines, such as Ecosia and Startpage, use their own crawlers but
rely on larger, more mainstream search engines, like Google and Bing, for
indexing. Others, such as Mojeek, use their own crawlers and maintain their own
index.

Alternative search engines, like HaystakOnion Search and Recon, let users browse
the dark web using the Tor browser, which encrypts user traffic for added privacy
and security. The dark web is a hidden part of the internet not accessible by
traditional browsers.

Other search engines focus on specific information types. For instance, Wolfram
Alpha is an internet search engine for science and math topics. Shodan is a search
tool for internet-connected devices.

Browsers generally have a default search engine. For example, Google Chrome
and Safari for iOS use Google.

The future of search engines

Search engines and the companies that develop them are likely to use new
technologies to improve the accuracy, relevance and quality of the answers search
engines provide. They'll also use advanced technologies, such as artificial
intelligence, to improve user experience in the future. For example, a user might
someday be able to upload a picture of a computer to Google, ask "Is this a good
computer for gaming?" and get a thoughtful, nuanced answer.

Google is likely to continue to retain the majority of the search market. Given that,
SEO companies can expect Google to keep updating its core search engine
algorithm periodically. Google does this to keep those companies from optimizing
content for a specific algorithm.

However, more niche engines might emerge in the future to provide the specificity
and privacy that many users perceive Google lacks. Users may gravitate to search
tools that provide enhanced privacy or better quality by only indexing a portion of
the internet.
Some experts also believe that search engine use is declining because more
information seeking will happen on other applications and social media sites, such
as Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn, in the future.

Although Google keeps its algorithm a secret, content creators can have some
control over content performance. Learn ways to improve your search engine
ranking.

Collaboration vs Communication in a
Digital World
These days, communication and collaboration are everywhere. No matter what industry you
work in, whether you’re a small business, or a large enterprise, a dispersed group or an
office-based team, you’re probably working with some kind of tool designed for
communication, or collaboration.

Collaboration and communication are two concepts designed to work together. You simply
can’t collaborate with someone unless you can communicate with them first. However, just
because the ideas are intertwined, doesn’t mean that they’re the same thing. That’s something
that today’s businesses still struggle to grasp.

I’ve lost count of the number of times that I’ve heard people say that they “collaborate” with
their colleagues over instant messenger, email, or video chat, when what they really mean is
that they use those platforms for communication. So, what’s the true difference between
collaboration and communication, and why do they both have a part to play in the digital
world?

Collaboration and Communication: Finding the Distinction

Communication has always been a component of the workforce. It simply refers to how we
connect with each other – either through email, video chat, instant messenger, social media,
or even voice calls. Communication is about sharing knowledge. For instance, you might use
VoIP to call up a colleague and conduct a meeting about an upcoming project. You could use
a social tool like WhatsApp to send a broadcast out to all your staff about a new customer
service methodology you want them to implement.

While we expect people to cooperate with us when we communicate with them, cooperative
communication isn’t collaboration. Instead, collaboration is defined as the process of working
together with another person to achieve an end goal. When you collaborate with someone,
you align your work and behaviour to theirs to accomplish something. For instance, you
might use a digital surface to collaborate with someone in a video conference because you’re
both annotating, or working on a project at the same time. However, if you take that work out
of the picture and you just talk about the project, then you eliminate the collaborative aspect.

Perhaps the easiest way to look at it is that collaboration involves actively connecting with
other people in your community and doing something to reach your target. It’s about more
than just talking.
Why Are People Mixing Up Collaboration and Communication?

Employees, business leaders, and innovators regularly get collaboration and communication
confused because the two concepts are so closely intertwined. Even so-called “collaboration”
tools blur the lines between communication and collaboration. For instance, just because you
send someone a message on Stride, Microsoft Teams, or Slack doesn’t necessarily mean
you’re instantly collaborating. The option is there, but it takes action to move beyond
communication.

Every day, the employees in a team have their own distinct tasks and goals to address. While
some staff members will be able to accomplish certain things on their own, others will
occasionally need the help or input of other experts. While communication facilitates the
connection between different people with unique specialities and knowledge, collaboration is
what allows two or more people to interact together on the same project. Collaboration is a
gateway, designed to bring different modes of thought and creativity together on the same
page or task.

Just like communication, collaboration comes in many different forms. Collaboration for
your team might involve bringing team members together over a document in a shared drive
and allowing them to work together on the project in real-time. Collaboration could also
mean asking people to contribute their thoughts to a development session with so that you
can improve the performance or efficiency of a new tool.

While communication and collaboration naturally exist together, each concept’s reliance on
the other has a unique dynamic. Without communication, collaboration would be impossible,
but you can communicate with team members all day and never actually collaborate on
anything.

Why Communication will Always be Crucial

As vendors continue to discover new ways to make collaboration simpler and more
immersive, it’s emerged as something of a buzzword in the communication and technology
industries. However, as exciting as easy and effective collaboration might be, it’s important
not to overlook the prevailing importance of communication.

Ultimately, collaboration can’t exist without communication. Imagine a team of people trying
to work together on the same project, but all those people are working in different rooms,
with no way of sharing their thoughts, ideas, or experiences. It just wouldn’t work.
Communication needs to exist across a range of key touchpoints before collaboration can
begin to thrive. The biggest mistake that many businesses make during digital transformation
is trying to push collaboration before they’ve got their communication infrastructure properly
implemented.

For example, if you want people to be able to collaborate in real-time over an important
document, then you need more than an email system and a shared file. You need both a
collaborative document that can update and sync rapidly and a communication system where
people can discuss the changes they’re making in depth. Without the communication part of
the equation, you just have a bunch of people working on the same task and coming up with
their distinct ideas on what the outcome should look like.

It’s not collaboration; it’s chaos.

Merging Communication and Collaboration

While your team members won’t necessarily have to collaborate on every project that your
company takes on, we’re increasingly moving towards a world where collaboration and
communication need to exist in harmony together for business processes to be successful.
The key thing to remember if you want to make the most of this new innovative, immersive,
and growing digital workforce, is that effective communication is the key.

Communication isn’t just a critical component of collaboration – it’s the only way to run a
successful business. Whether you want to reduce employee turnover, improve company
culture, or simply increase your chances of higher customer satisfaction, it all starts with
communication.

What is the use of Reference Tab in

Microsoft Word?
Reference Tab in Microsoft Word

Reference Tab in Microsoft Word is use to create the table of contents, images
caption, cross –references, footnotes, citation & bibliography etc. The ribbon of
Reference Tab in Microsoft Word is divided into multiple sections with the name
Table of Contents, Footnotes, Citations & Bibliography, Captions, Index and Table of
Authorities. The detailed explanation about Reference Tab in Microsoft Word is given
below.

Table of Contents
 Table of Contents – This option is use to create the table of contents for any book or
magazine.
 Add Text – This option is use to add the current paragraph or heading as an entry in
the table of contents.
 Update Table – This option is use to update the table of contents, if document
modified of update.
Footnotes
 Insert Footnote (alt + ctrl + f) – This option is use to add footnote to the current
page of the document to write current page details.
 Insert Endnote (alt + ctrl +d) – This option is use to add endnote to the last page of
the document to write document details.
 Next Footnote – This option is use to navigate the next footnote in the document, if
two or more footnote inserted.
 Show Notes – By this option user can show all the notes inserted in the document.
Citation & Bibliography
 Insert Citation – This option is use to cite the document or a book by adding journal
article, or a piece of information from other source and provide credit to main source.
 Manage Source – This option is use to view the list of all cited source in the
document.
 Style – Use to choose the style of citation.
 Bibliography – This option is use to add a bibliography, which lists all the cited
source in the document.
Captions
 Insert Caption – This option is use to add a caption for any object or image. A
caption is a line that appear bellow of an object to describe it.
  Insert table of Figure – This option is use to insert table of figure for the images or
objects. A table of figure look like a list with caption names.
 Update Table – This option is use to update the table of figure to include all of the
new entries in the document.
 Cross-reference – It is the hyperlinked based option that refers to an items created
with headings, figures, bookmarks etc. By creating a cross-reference user can jump
that location where information is present.
Index
 Mark Entry (alt + shift + x) – This option is use to mark the selected text to include
marked entry in the index of the document.
 Insert index – An index is a list of keywords found in the document along with the
page numbers. This option inserts the index of marked entry in the document.
 Update Index – This option is use to update the index, so that all the entries of index
refers to the correct pages.
Table of Authorities
 Mark Citation (alt + shift + i) – This option is use to add the selected text as an
entry in the table of authorities.
 Insert Table of Authorities – A table of authorities is lists of the cases, statutes and
other authorities cited in the document. This option is use to insert the table of
authorities in the document.
 Update Table – This option is use to update the table of authorities to include all the
citations in the document.

What is the use of Mailing Tab in

Microsoft Word?
Mailing Tab in Microsoft Word

Mailing Tab in Microsoft Word is use for creating envelopes, labels and Mail Merge.
Mail Merge is a feature for sending a letter to the multiple recipient at a time with
separate details like address and greetings lines. It is a most useful feature in offices
or companies for sending any information to multiple employees at a time.
Alternatively we can use this feature to create multiple payslips or id cards at a time
with separate details.

Mailing Tab in Microsoft Word is divided into multiple sections with the name Create,
Start Mail Merge, Write & Insert Fields, Preview Results and Finish. The detailed
explanation about Mailing Tab in Microsoft Word is given below.

Create
 Envelopes – This option is use to create and print the envelopes for sending message
and letters.
  Labels – This option is use to create and print the labels.
Start Mail Merge
 Start Mail Merge – This option contains many options to start mail merge. We can
start with a Letter, Email, Envelope or Step by Step mail merge wizard.
 Select Recipient – This option is use to choose the list of peoples (Recipient) whom
you want to send the letter. User can also type a new list of recipients including
details and email addresses.
 Edit Recipient list – This option is use to change or modify the list of recipients.
Write & Insert Fields
 Highlight Merge Field – This option is use to highlight the fields that you have
inserted in to the document.
 Address Block – This option is use to insert the address block for the recipient in the
letter.
 Greeting Line – This option is use to insert the greeting line for the recipient such as
– Dear Sir/Madam.
 Insert Merge Field – This option is use to insert any field from the recipient list in the
letter, such as- Home Phone, Company Name etc.
 Rules – This option use to specify rules to add decision-making ability to the mail
merge.
 Match Fields – Using this option we can match the recipient list fields, such as – First
Name to Last Name.
 Update Labels – This option is use to update all the labels created in letters.
Preview Result
 Preview Result – This option is use to preview the letter and replaces the merge
fields with actual data form the recipient list.
 Previous/First record – This option is use to preview the first or previous record in
the recipient list.
 Next/Last Record – This option is use to preview the Next or Last record in the
recipient list.
 Find Recipient – This option is use to find and preview the specific record in the
recipient list.
 Auto Check Errors – This option is use to auto handle the errors that occurs when
completing the mail merge.
Finish & Merge – This option is use to prints or send the letters using email to all
the selected recipients.

Note : Before using Mail Merge, It is compulsory to have an active internet

connection and MS Outlook configured in the system.

What is the use of Review Tab in

Microsoft Word?
Review Tab in Microsoft Word

Review Tab in Microsoft Word is use for checking spelling & grammatical mistakes in
the document, write comments, track changes if the document modified, comparing
document with another and document protection etc. The ribbon of Review Tab in
Microsoft Word is divided into multiple sections with the name Proofing, Comment,
Tracking, Changes, Compare and Protect. The detailed explanation about Review Tab
in Microsoft Word is given below.

Proofing
 Spelling & Grammar – This option is use to check the spelling & grammatical
mistakes of the text written in document.
 Research – This option is use to open the research pane for search the reference
materials such as- dictionaries, encyclopedias, and translation services etc.
 Thesaurus – This option searches the suggested words with multiple similar
meaning.
 Translate – This option translates the selected text in to different language. To use
this feature, languages feature must be installed on computer.
 Set Language – This option is use to set the different language to check the spelling
& grammar of the selected text.
 Word Count – This option is use to check the number of words, lines, paragraph of
the selected text or document.
Comments
 New Comment – This option is use to add a comment (info about the text) for
section or selected text.
 Delete – This option is use to delete the selected comment or delete all the
comments in the documents.
 Previous – This option is use to navigate the previous comment.
 Next – This option is use to navigate the next comment.
Tracking
 Track Changes – This option tracks all the changes made in the document, including
insertion, deletion, and formatting changes.
 Balloons – By this option we can choose how to show revisions in the document.
 Final Showing Markup – Final show markup allows the document with all proposed
changes included, and show the original document before any changes were made.
 Show Markup – This option allows to choosing what kind of markup to show in the
document, and also using to show or hide comments.
 Reviewing Pane – This option is use to open a separate pane window to show the
reviewing.
Changes
 Accept – This option is use for accept the changes one by one or all at once in the
document.
 Reject – This option is use for reject the changes one by one or all at once in the
documents.
  Previous – This option is use to navigate the previous revision in the document so
that we can accept or reject changes.
 Next – This option is use to navigate the next revision in the document so that we
can accept or reject changes.
Compare
 Compare – This option is use to compare or combine the multiple versions of a
document.
 Show Source Document – This option is use to choose which source document to
show. We can show the original document, revised document or both.
Protect
 Protect Document – This option is use to set the restrict permissions to the
document, that how people can access the document. Such as- password.

What is the use of View Tab in

Microsoft Word?
View Tab in Microsoft Word

View Tab in Microsoft Word is use for changing the layouts of the pages, show/hide
elements such as – ruler or grid-lines, adjusting pages with zoom option, working with
multiple windows and recording a macro etc. The ribbon of View Tab in Microsoft Word is
divided into multiple sections with the name Document Views, Show/Hide, Zoom, Window
and Macros. The detailed explanation about View Tab in Microsoft Word is given below.

Document Views
 Print Layout – This option is use to show the document as it will appear on the printed page.
This view specially used for printing mode.
 Full Screening Reading – This layout hides the contents of application and adjust pages with
full screen to read.
 Web Layout – This Layout looks like as a web page. It has a single page for many much
matter. Certain elements such as header & footer, pages number will not be visible in this
mode.
 Outline – This Layout looks as an outline mode and show the outlining tools for generating
heading levels.
 Draft – In this view the document looks as a draft to quickly edit the text. Certain elements
such as header & footer will not be visible in this mode.
Show/Hide
 Ruler – This option is use to show or hide the ruler.
 Gridlines – This option is use to show or hide the gridlines. Gridlines are use to align the
object in document.
 Message Bar – This option is use to show or hide the message bar.
 Document Map – This option is use to show or hide the document map, which allows the
document navigation through structural view.
 Thumbnails – This option is use to show or hide thumbnails in the document. This allows the
document navigation through small picture of pages.
Zoom
 Zoom – This option is use to set the zoom level according to the preset size or custom size.
 100% Zoom – This option return 100% zoom level.
 One Page – This option fits the current page in window.
 Two Pages – This option fits the two pages in window.
 Page With – This option fits the page according to the matching width of the window.
Window
 New Window – This option is use to open a new window containing a view of the current
document.
 Arrange all – This option is use to arrange all the opened window side by side on the screen.
 Split – This option is use to split the current window into two parts, so that user can view
different section of the document at the same time.
 View Side by Side – This option is use to view the two document side by side, so that user
can compare their contents.
 Synchronous Scrolling – This option synchronizes the scrolling of two documents, so that
they scroll together.
 Reset Window Position – This option reset the window position of the document being
compared side by side, so that they share the screen equally.
 Switch Window – This option switches the currently opened window.
Macros
 Macros – This option is use to record a macro, view the list of recorded macros, run the
recorded macro, create or delete a macro. Macro is a program in MS Word that is use to
record a work including mouse actions and keystrokes. For example recorded work can be
any template with formatting. Macro feature is most useful for repeatable work, if any work
we repeat time to time so we can record it using macro and run when it require.
Top 16 Digital Tools That Every Researcher Should
Know About
Using digital tools for researchers effectively can be the difference between an average
and an excellent piece of research. But today, with the long list of research tools
available online, it is only natural for busy researchers to be baffled when it comes to
making the right choice for specific needs. With considerations of time, cost,
effectiveness and quality, there is a lot to check before you make the choice. We don’t
want you to spend hours just looking for the best tools for researchers, so we’ve
rounded up some of the most effective digital tools for researchers to make your life
simpler.

In this comprehensive article, we have compiled a list of 16 useful online tools for
researchers at various stages of the research journey. These tools will streamline
your research process, help you stay organized, and provide you with easy access
to the information you need. From reference management software to digital
libraries, these cutting-edge tools cater to the needs of both experienced and novice
researchers alike. Whether you’re working on a major research project or just starting
out, this blog will help you get ahead of the curve and make your research journey a tad
(we aren’t making big promises) bit easier.

Why are digital tools for researchers important

Before any digital tools for researchers were introduced, academics had to rely on old-
school manual methods that were typically time-consuming, labor-intensive, and also
limited in scope. For instance, you had to subscribe to journals or physically visit
libraries and spend hours searching and sifting through tomes before finding the most
relevant information. And once that was done, the process of organizing, storing, and
referencing data was another challenge you had to overcome.

In contrast, online tools for researchers offer a wealth of information and resources at
your fingertips today. With the option to search and access vast amounts of knowledge
with a few clicks, researchers are able to boost their efficiency and effectiveness at
work.

And it’s not just limited to online tools for researchers that allow you to easily store,
organize, and manage information, there are a number of tools that can help you hone
your writing, check for plagiarism, find the right journal, collaborate with other
researchers, and share your knowledge, ideas, and resources. The rapid development of
digital tools for researchers have revolutionized the way researchers work, making way
for faster innovation and more groundbreaking research.

Types of tools for researchers

There are various types of online tools for researchers to choose from. These tools can
be classified into various categories such as planning and management of research
projects, literature search, data collection and analysis, reference management, editing
and paraphrasing, and collaboration and communication. These digital tools for
researchers have revolutionized the way academics work, adding to their time,
productivity and effectiveness; this in turn makes research more accessible, efficient,
and collaborative. Let’s take a look at some top tools for researchers across these key
stages in the researcher journey.

Reference Management Tools

Reference management tools are great time saving tools for researchers. Not only do
they allow you to create a library of relevant articles, they help you format your
references, detect duplicate entries and replace incomplete references, and even share
articles with other researchers. Furthermore, they are also extremely useful tools for
researchers when it comes to correctly linking sources and citing referenced articles.

Among the top reference management tools for researchers, Zotero, Mendeley, and
EndNote are the most widely used.

Zotero
Zotero has quickly become one of the must-have tools for researchers to capture and
preserve high-quality publication data from various sources, including journal articles,
websites, newspapers, and PDFs. Its integration with popular Word processors such as
Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs allows you to efficiently manage citations
and bibliographies as you write. The software’s built-in PDF reader enables you to
identify and extract cited quotations and comments, which can be directly saved as
notes. What sets Zotero apart is its advanced search feature, which enables users
to perform complex searches, such as locating articles added in the last month by
mentioning a specific keyword and creating auto-updating collections. Zotero can
also identify retracted papers and sends out an alert when you attempt to cite a
retracted paper.

Zotero follows the freemium model, where one can get 300 MB in the free version with
additional storage available for a fee starting at $20/year.

Mendeley
An offering by Elsevier, Mendeley is among the best reference management tools for
researchers that combines an intuitive, user-friendly interface with powerful
organizational features. With Mendeley, you can store and manage sources, take notes,
collaborate with others, and discover new research in your field. Mendeley’s PDF viewer
has an excellent, easy-to-use, built-in capability with the option of editing a document
simultaneously with other Mendeley users. ‘Mendeley Notebook’, a feature of Mendeley,
helps you collate all your highlights and notes from multiple PDFs. ‘Mendeley Cite’,
another of its features, is a citation plugin for Microsoft Word that lets you insert
references and bibliographies into your document.

Mendeley is a free citation and paper management tool with up to 2 GB of cloud storage.
It has a desktop application, mobile app, and Chrome browser extension, making it a top
choice among tools for researchers.

Mendeley offers both a free and a premium version, where users get 2 GB in the free
version and additional storage space with pricing starting at $55/year.

Endnote
Endnote is one of the paid reference management tools for researchers. It allows
researchers to insert citations into the text, and simultaneously creates a bibliography
with its “Cite While You Write” feature in Microsoft Word. Additionally, one can align
and format the article as per the target journal requirements using its “Manuscript
Matcher” feature. You can also conduct large-scale literature reviews with Endnote’s
powerful analysis tools. Endnote is available in the cloud and accessible anywhere,
providing researchers with the flexibility to work from any location.

Endnote offers a range of pricing options, starting at $124.95/year. It is one of the

must-have tools for researchers keen on saving time and energy!
Academic Writing Tools
If you are not taking advantage of academic writing tools for researchers, well, you’re
missing out on a lot. The range of things academic writing tools can do for you is
astonishing – language editing, abstract writing, plagiarism checking and so much more!
While there are a number of online tools for reseachers that can help improve your
academic writing, here are our top choices in this category that you should know about.

iThenticate
iThenticate by Turnitin is an online plagiarism checker designed specifically for
researchers and academics to review their manuscripts prior to journal submission and
publication. iThenticate is one of the most popular tools for researchers looking to
check their writing for originality and ensure they have cited all sources appropriately.

With its advanced plagiarism detection technology, iThenticate compares a submission

to an extensive database of web pages and scholarly content before producing a
similarity score and report. Researchers can use this report to eliminate any inadvertent
instances of plagiarism and other blunders in their research papers.

The price for an iThenticate license starts at $100 for a manuscript and is valid for
multiple plagiarism checks for this single document over a year. If you need to check
more than one manuscript, you can opt for an annual license at a higher price.

Scholarcy
One of the well-known tools for researchers, Scholarcy is an innovative AI engine that
helps you analyze different sections of an article, filter out the noise, and deliver a
precise structured summary of the research. Scholarcy doesn’t just condense papers
into referenced lay summaries, it highlights key claims and statistics mentioned in the
research paper that are most useful to your work.
It also extracts all the tables and figures and links to their cited location in the text,
saving researchers hours of time searching for the most relevant papers. The smart AI
engine is also a great tool for researchers looking to generate lay summaries that can
help promote their research to a broader audience

You can use the free Scholarcy browser extension on Chrome or Edge to create
summary flashcards online or build your own personal interactive library with a
subscription of $7.99 per month.

Scrivener
Scrivener is among the underrated tools for researchers that can help make
researchers’ lives simpler if used effectively. It has a user-friendly interface that allows
researchers to easily organize their research notes, documents, and outlines. Scrivener
gives you three ways to organize your projects: the Binder – which lets you manage
folders and text, the Outliner – which helps you outline your research before you write
it, and the Corkboard – to help you plan and organize your ongoing tasks.

Scrivener also has a mobile app that syncs with your devices ensuring everything is in
one place. This makes it a great option for those who want to walk around and research
ideas or take notes on your phone.

Scrivener offers a free trial period, with lifetime licenses available from $63.56 for
MacOS and Windows.

Paperpal
Paperpal is as multifaceted as a Swiss Knife and stands tall among online academic
writing tools for researchers. With in-depth language and grammar checks, instant and
precise academic translations, relevant subject-specific writing recommendations, and
critical technical checks, its suite of tools has you covered from the first draft itself. Use
the Paperpal for Word plug-in and improve your language as you write in Microsoft
Word, including real-time suggestions on vocabulary and phrasing.

Turn to Paperpal for Web to enhance your content with instant checks to ensure error-
free language and grammar, clarity, and readability. Choose Paperpal for Manuscript if
you have a manuscript ready for submission; its comprehensive language and technical
checks ensure your work meets journal guidelines by flagging problem areas that could
lead to desk rejection.

The best part about Paperpal, also something that makes it different from other
more generic grammar editing tools, is that it is tailored for researchers and
academic writing. You can get up to 500 edits for free on Paperpal for Word and Web
or enjoy unlimited support at just $99 per year. Paperpal for Manuscript gives you an
edited version of your article with suggestions in track changes for just $29.
Project Management Tools
There are several online tools for researchers to manage and organize their work,
including keeping track of task completion, setting deadlines, and just having everything
in one place. Four tools for researchers that must be there in your productivity kit are
Trello, GanttPRO, Evernote, and My Research Projects.

Trello
You can use Trello to visually organize your ideas on its boards with the help of
interactive cards. These cards can be used in multiple ways – you can create lists, assign
tasks, message and tag those you are collaborating with, link files, add due dates–all on
the virtual “back” of the card. You can also drag cards between lists, copy cards that you
use often (or rather, use the cards as templates), and send cards to other boards.
Basically, you can see your entire research process on a single Trello board.

This is a useful tool for researchers involved in large collaborative projects that span the
globe. Trello has a free version that offers limited features with pricing models starting
at $5 a month.

GanttPRO
GanttPRO is another tool for researchers that helps you organize your thoughts better.
A Gantt chart timeline on GanttPRO is the best way to visualize tasks, know their start
and end dates, and track your progress along the way. The vertical and horizontal axes
in a Gantt Chart present a visual summary of how various aspects of your research
project are progressing, which allows you to address specific tasks that need extra or
immediate attention.

GanttPRO is hosted in the cloud, which makes is easily accessible. It offers users a free
trial with the option to choose from plans starting at $7.99 per month.
Evernote
A productive way to jot down notes and ideas and sort through your research materials,
Evernote is one of the most popular online tools for researchers. With Evernote, you can
organize your research by a simple notebook structure to keep similar notes together or
creating tags and folders for specific purposes.

You can save webpages, articles, or screenshots to your Evernote notebook and use the
handy multimedia feature to enhance these by adding new text, images, documents, and
even audio messages captured with its inbuilt recorder. Evernote also helps you sync
your notes across devices so you can manage your notes across multiple platforms.

The basic version of Evernote lets you create and save notes but has limitations on
storage space. You can buy more storage by opting for a paid subscription plan, which is
currently available from $5.83 a month at ongoing discounted prices.

My Research Projects
My Research Projects by Researcher.Life is designed for researchers and helps you plan,
manage, and communicate your work effectively. It promises end-to-end support in
transforming your research into a well-written manuscript with suggestions on suitable
journals for your research and guidance on the most relevant literature to cite. You can
use the comprehensive submission readiness check to ensure your manuscript meets
journal guidelines, with checks for language quality, structural completeness, clarity and
consistency, and mandatory declarations. You can also generate detailed article
summaries to help you convey your research findings more effectively.

My Research Projects lets you check one manuscript and get a detailed report for free
by subscribing to Researcher.Life. You can unlock premium checks for multiple
manuscripts by upgrading to the Prime Pack for $99 a year.
Academic Search Engines
As researchers you are expected to keep up with the latest developments in your own
and related research fields. Yet, with the exponential growth in research output, this is
far from easy. This is what makes academic search engines invaluable to academics
searching for relevant scientific information. They use keywords to help researchers
find, access and read about the latest most relevant research, including peer-reviewed
articles, genuine information, author home pages, and university websites.

Google Scholar, R Discovery, and Scopus are our top tools for researchers in this
category.

R Discovery
R Discovery is a strong contender when it comes to the best literature search and
reading tools for researchers. An AI-powered app for researchers, R Discovery boasts of
an expanding library of research content that includes over 100 million research papers
across 9.5 million topics and more than 32,000 journals worldwide. It uses your topics
of interest to create a personalized reading feed, with suggestions on top reads, smart
summaries, and other features to help you discover the right research in minutes.

This includes open access articles, preprints, and pay-walled content (accessible
through institutional credentials) across all major subject areas, including biology,
medicine, philosophy, political science, environmental science, social sciences, and
psychology. The best part is that this app for researchers continually upgrades its
features and eliminated predatory journals to ensure you have access to reliable
research that works for you.

R Discovery is one of the many tools for researchers developed by Researcher.Life and
is completely free to install and use. It is available on both mobile and web, allowing for
streamlined reading on your preferred device.
Google Scholar
If you’re an academic, you probably have used Google Scholar sometime in your
research journey. It is one of the most used tools for researchers and acts as an online
search engine for academics looking for scholarly literature and relevant sources to cite.
It is tailored for academics, which means you can use different keywords to look up
various research articles, theses, books, and conference papers to support your research
study.

Researchers can also search for authors, journals, and other titles and can even create
an account to save their search results. The one drawback here though is that you will
need to keep searching until you find related research, and even then you will still need
to browse through these individually to find the most relevant content for your research
topic.

Scopus
Another popular academic search tool for researchers is Scopus, an offering by Elsevier
that is very similar to Google Scholar and Microsoft Academic. The largest abstract and
citation database of peer-reviewed research with over 1.7 billion cited references,
Scopus houses content indexed from more than 25,000 active titles and 7,000
publishers, all carefully vetted and selected by an independent review board.

With Scopus, you can look for articles, journals, and any other sources that will help you
write better research. You can also refine your literature search by filtering for author
name or affiliation among others. Scopus also has analytical tools to help you visualize
and compare research data – that is, you can view author, journal, and article impact
metrics through the detailed research output and trends reports that Scopus provides.

Scopus works as an API that can be integrated into an institution’s repository or

research information management systems. While it is free to use for non-subscribers,
there is limited access to content with additional costs to access paywalled articles on
this platform.
Journal Selection Tools
Given the enormous number of scholarly journals around and new ones coming up
every year, it can be hard to select the best journal for your research paper. Despite its
challenges, the process of finding the perfect journal, which is respected, relevant, and
reliable, is one of the most critical tasks to get right for researchers. This is why good
online journal finders are invaluable tools for researchers.

Elsevier’s Journal Finder tool and the Global Journal Database (GJD) are two pretty
effective journal selection tools for researchers.

Journal Finder
The Journal Finder tool by Elsevier, one of the largest publishers of peer-reviewed
journals across disciplines, is a great solution for authors looking to shortlist journals
for their work. Just use relevant keywords, titles, or your research paper abstract to get
a list of recommended Elsevier journals that publish research similar to yours.

Its intelligent machine learning algorithm uses terms specific to the corresponding
research field to generate the best matches for your article. You can choose from the top
of the list or sort this further using filters based on your preferences. The Journal Finder
also lists journals with open-access publishing options and those that cover
multidisciplinary research fields.

Elsevier can be used for free to search for journals related to your research.

Global Journal Database

The Global Journal Database, developed by Researcher.Life, comprises of more than
43,000 journals indexed in reputed public directories like Directory of Open Access
Journals (DOAJ), Scopus, and Web of Science. Researchers can search for relevant
journals using the title or ISSN, similar topics, research paper abstracts, and even
manuscripts; the advanced AI engine will use this to generate the best journals for you.

Each journal recommendation comes with a detailed journal report that has key
information about shortlisted journals, including publisher details, journal metrics,
author instructions, the editorial review process, and even a list of the latest articles
published. With the Global Journal Database, you can see where your preferred journal
is indexed and browse its publishing history to better understand its scope. The broad
journal coverage, multiple search modes, and detailed journal reports make this an
exceptional tool for researchers, simplifying and speeding up the often-daunting journal
selection process.

The Global Journal Database is available free with a Researcher.Life Essentials Pack
subscription.

Wrapping Up

Researchers everywhere are on a quest to uncover new insights and come up with
ground-breaking research. Choosing the right digital tools for researcher and using
these effectively can make your journey from brainstorming to breakthroughs a
smoother, easier, and faster one.