In the years before the internet, people were usually forced to consult separate, unrelated sources in their quest for information: Newspapers, television stations, academic books and essays for a research paper, etc. Today, with the advent of the Internet, the search engine has seemingly replaced the need to utilize other avenues of information.
In 2007, a group of Austrian researchers stated that many people tend to think of Google as a “reality interface.”
The report found that journalism today is increasingly a direct result of a “googlisation of reality.” It stated that 94.8% of Austrian journalists begin research for stories on Google, and 60% used it “continuously.” The researchers state that this data is applicable to most countries world-wide, with some exceptions, such as South Korea.
This raises some concerns about how much influence large search engines, namely Google, have on the distribution of information throughout the world. “Google has become the main interface for our whole reality…with the Google interface, the user gets the impression that the search results imply a kind of totality. In fact, one only sees a small part of what one could see if one also integrates other research tools.”
The Austrian study raises some important concerns in regards to our reliance on search engines. In order to get a more balanced perspective, it’s critical that people try to utilize other sources and methods of research, and to understand that Google should not be considered the “be-all, end-all” information authority.
I completely agree that most individuals rely heavily on Google for all sorts of information. I admit that I personally browse on Google multiple times a day. Whether I am searching for a business' address or trying to find a new italian restaurant, google is the tool. Although when it comes to finding credible information for academic purposes, Google and other search engines on the web should not be the only source.
ReplyDeleteAs I excelled in my academic career, teachers, professors, and librarians have taught me not to solely rely on the internet and large search engines. I feel that people are only getting lazier and do not want to make the extra trip to the library and open up a book. Databases and ebooks can be beneficial, but not all books are available online. Ultimately "Google should not be considered the be-all, end-all information authority," and people should make the effort to "utilize other sources of and methods of research."
This is a very interesting study conducted by the Austrians and im sure that it will also hold true in many countries such as the United States. Google does all the hard work for you by collecting sources, all you have to do is type in what you are looking for. I admit that I am an avid Googler and constantly find myself using their maps, search engines and ratings for places that im looking to visit. Its just so convenient!
ReplyDeleteLike you mentioned, this does bring up the concern of reliance on search engines and the worry of a biased perspective. I strongly agree that people should consult other sources such as books, newspapers and journals, both online and in print, to take part in a more thorough investigation. With the technological advances in computing, I feel that the reliance on search engines will only increase as younger generations are growing up knowing no other option.
Growing up, I remember how much teachers used to belabor the point: "When I was your age we had to use card catalogues to do research papers." While I feel my professors' collective pain for having to implement such a laborious method (compared to present day), I do wonder what it was like to live in such a time before Google existed.
ReplyDeleteI wish that all students were required to complete just one research paper without the aid of an online search engine, just so that students could appreciate the value of the advances made.
I fear that increasing dependence on a tool (and that's what Google is - a tool) is taking away some primal urge to go out and search for information ourselves. If Google were to crash unexpectedly, I don't know how we'd get on with our lives - honestly.