You already know what this blog is all about. If you ignored the title and image, let me tell you it’s about conducting research with Google and Chat GPT, plus fact-checking and identifying credible sources. Being one of the most critical parts of becoming a content writer, you must know how to conduct good research. If not, we will discuss each aspect of this topic most easily.
Introduction to Research Tools
In the present day, you primarily need to master the two important research tools to become a successful content writer:
Google Search
Google needs no introduction, being everyone’s first choice in getting answers for every query. Content writers are no different; their first choice to start research for their topic is Google. As a writer, search the topic on Google and analyze the top 5 content pieces posted by different websites. With this, you will get a good idea of the information you intend to put in your content.
On the other hand, you can also find the user-intended keywords, which users type and search on Google. For this, you can look for the auto-suggestions by Google, and people also search for options in the SERP. Lastly, don’t forget to check out the ‘People also ask’ section as well. Refer to the image below to get more clarity.
Chat GPT
Can Chat GPT replace Google? Well, not yet. However, that doesn’t mean we have to avoid it. Unlike Google, where we need to click on each website and then read the information, Chat GPT provides us with all the information in one place. In short, you can consider Chat GPT for quick research, but just make sure to cross-check sensitive information from Google.
Effective Google and Chat GPT Research Techniques
- For Google Search:
- Use specific keywords and phrases.
- Tools like Google Scholar can be used for academic sources.
- Consider using Google Trends to gain a better understanding of the various trends occurring worldwide.
- For ChatGPT Search:
- Ask clear and concise questions.
- Generate summaries and explanations on various topics.
- Understanding ChatGPT’s responses and potential biases.
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Identifying Credible Sources
Identifying credible sources is part 2 of this blog, equally important and, if ignored, can harm the website you are writing for.
What Constitutes a Credible Source?
Primarily, it should be written by an expert in that field. When an individual writes a blog or an article on a topic that aligns with his education or working experience, it leads to credibility. However, it is not compulsory, and the blog wouldn’t be considered wrong if the author is the same for each content. This directly relates to one content writing type: ghostwriting. This brings us to the following point.
How to Distinguish between Credible and Non-Credible Sources?
The following 3 points will help you distinguish between credible and non-credible sources:
The author’s expertise
As discussed above, with the author’s information, you can get a good idea of his expertise in that particular field. By clicking on the author’s name, you will find all the content written by them in their niche.
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The source’s reputation
Visiting the website for the first time doesn’t mean it has no reputation. Because we are used to some sites for a long time, we cannot rely on another website we have heard of for the first time. However, as you keep conducting research for your topic, you might encounter different new sites. Eventually, you will realize that they are reliable too, and it was just that you weren’t familiar with that website.
The presence of evidence
Putting evidence in your content works as a reference. Suppose you are working as a news writer, and in your piece, you include a photograph related to that news from the actual location. This is evidence, and if you are working as a content writer for some other niche besides journalism, that evidence becomes a reference. For example, you are writing about the market value of the content writing field. In this case, you will put a number, and on that number, you will cite the website link from which you found that data.
Citations
Although citations have a big role in academic writing, there are other niches where content writing plays a critical role as well. In academic writing, citations enhance the value of the content. However, citations are slightly different from references. To put a citation in your content, you must have a brief notation in your text that connects directly to a source. Besides academic write-ups, if you are seeking information from journalistic or legal writing, then finding citations in them is a plus point.
Types of Credible Sources
Scholarly Journals and Academic Articles:
Peer-reviewed articles ensure high-quality, credible research through expert evaluation. Research databases like Google Scholar and JSTOR provide access to a wealth of reliable academic sources.
Books and Published Research:
The credentials of the author and the reputation of the publisher enhance the reliability and scholarly value of the work.
News Outlets and Media:
Reliable journalism standards in outlets like Indian Express, The Hindu, and Times of India ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting, avoiding sensationalism for trustworthiness.
Government Websites and Official Documents:
Websites with .gov and .edu domains are authoritative sources, and public reports, surveys, and statistics offer verifiable, official data.
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Red Flags for Identifying Unreliable Sources
- Sensational headlines or clickbait.
- Unverified or anonymous authorship.
- Lack of citations or references.
- Outdated or biased information.
Evaluating Online Sources
To evaluate the online source you are willing to get information from, you can consider the following two steps:
- The CRAAP Test (Pollak Library Research Guides) :
- Currency: Is the information up to date?
- Relevance: Does it relate to your research topic?
- Authority: Who is the author? What are their qualifications?
- Accuracy: Is the information factual and reliable?
- Purpose: Is the information presented objectively or with bias?
- Using Fact-Checking Websites:
Fact-checking websites like Alt News, FactChecker.In PolitiFact helps verify the truth of news stories. They check if claims and stories are accurate before you believe or share them.
Conclusion
Research is most critical when we are creating a piece of writing. In this write-up, we discussed the different research tools, techniques and how to find credible sources. We hope you are now well aware of the importance of conducting research and, of course, how you can do it. If you still have some doubts, you can check out our online content writing course playlist. That’s it for this blog!
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