When you research a hub do you use anything besides the Internet?

1. 79

   tillsontitanposted 11 years ago

   When you research a hub do you use anything besides the Internet?
   
   Most everything is on the Internet and I was wondering if anyone uses other resources besides the Internet.

   replyreport
2. 92

   Just Ask Susanposted 11 years ago

   Sometimes I'll go to the library and see if there are any books on the subject that I'm writing about.

   replyreport
   1. 78

      Taleb80posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Very useful action.

      replyreport
3. 84

   flash167posted 11 years ago

   One of the blog posts I did back in May 2006 actually didn't have any information on the Internet or any books so I used some friends to do some physical research on them for a month and then published my findings.
   
   The blog post is still number 3 in Google for "argentium allergy" and the second article refers to my article right at the beginning.  Oh, by the way, the 4th position is one of my Hubs:).
   
   I'm sure I would still be at the top if I would have continued working on that blog.  I stopped publishing in July 2009 and it's still doing well with Google Adsense. 
   
   When I get moved back into a larger place where I can set up my studio again I plan to publish more information.
   
   On the other hand, sometimes I just write because it's a topic that I know and love.  No research, just sharing information and passion. 
   
   It's amazing how many places you can be found in Google sometimes without even trying.

   replyreport
4. 91

   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   With my serial killer related hubs I use mostly books. The books I have contain most of the needed facts all in one place so it makes no sense for me to spend hours using google. The rest of my hubs I use a combination of the internet and books.

   replyreport
5. 68

   Alecia Murphyposted 11 years ago

   I did for Breast Cancer but in general- especially if I'm talking about current events- the internet is an easier source.
   Now sometimes, I do reference a television show if it has information I need.

   replyreport
6. 60

   fpherj48posted 11 years ago

   Hey girlfriend!  A question I can answer well.....I'm an ACE researcher.  I've done heavy duty research for years....for many many different reasons...long before my HubLife.....
   .I use anything and everything available...and then some.
   Internet, books, magazines, Documentary & training CD's...EducationalTV, speaking with experts or people in general....I dig and search and check out every possible source.
   I have found that this really works best and yields the most factual, current, useful, varied and most widely-utilized info, possible.
   Everytime we think we've thoroughly researched...we can actually find more....and of course, the more, the better.

   replyreport
   1. 79

      tillsontitanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You, my friend, would come up with a great answer!  I always knew you were smart

      replyreport
   2. 60

      fpherj48posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I was, Til...honest. Have no idea what happened!  LOL

      replyreport
7. 95

   Glimmer Twin Fanposted 11 years ago

   I use books that I may have on hand or that a family member may have that I can use.  I do use the internet the majority of time, but for special topics it's usually books.

   replyreport
8. 85

   nanderson500posted 11 years ago

   Not usually, but sometimes I own a book or two on the subject I am writing about. So in those cases I will page through my books for information.

   replyreport
9. 68

   Sushma Webberposted 11 years ago

   I prefer referring to books and borrow them from the local library. I usually research you tube for any related videos. Sometimes I research on the internet, especially to see how others have dealt with the topic. Then I try to take it a few steps further in exploring the subject. For some topics like Yoga and meditation I even try the different techniques before writing about them. All this is part of the research I guess.

   replyreport
10. 0

    paxwillposted 11 years ago

    I use books and journals as references in my writing, though not so much for articles I publish on HubPages. There's no incentive here for putting in the extra effort.
    
    If you look around HubPages enough, you'll find plenty of writers whose only references are their own crazy notions. With so much junk on this site, why bother going the extra mile; HubPages obviously doesn't care one way or the other.

    replyreport
    1. 87

       Imogen Frenchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       hubpages may not care, but your readers will.

       replyreport
11. 77

    dailytop10posted 11 years ago

    Yeah...I go out with my bike and try to search for interesting topics from scenarios I see while on the road. Unique way for topic research right? haha

    replyreport
12. 68

    saitamposted 11 years ago

    Most of my research is from the Internet.
    
    Normally it is outside the internet that I get some ideas and I even can write something, but when writing a hub, it is not very common to me to use any source besides the Internet, it has almost everything I need.

    replyreport
13. 37

    ChristinSposted 11 years ago

    I have a lot of reference books and other materials on hand that I use for most of mine, particularly the alternative health related hubs.  I've studied that area extensively and have piles of reference books.  Other hubs I've written I have experience in - soaps, photoshop etc. and I just write the hub from experience only.
    
    I do periodically use the internet to fact check or look up studies that can tie into my hubs and other articles.

    replyreport
14. 74

    Bobski606posted 11 years ago

    Most of the time my hubs are written using my own personal experiences and current knowledge. If there's something I need to check or something I'm not entirely sure of then I will probably use the internet. However, I do have a lot of books that I use to cross reference with what I find on the internet. I'd say at the moment it's 50% experience, 40% internet and 10% books.

    replyreport
15. 87

    Imogen Frenchposted 11 years ago

    I think when writing a hub it is important to draw together original information from a variety of sources.
    As you say there is a lot on the internet, but it seems pointless repeating what has already been said elsewhere. I like to use original photos where possible, draw on my own knowledge and experience, and bring in a few bits from books too. I tend to use the internet mainly to check facts where stated, such as measurement conversions or nutritional facts for recipes, or maybe to check on the latin names of plants. I always use a standard dictionary for spelling, rather than looking online - old habits die hard, I guess!
    I may sometimes point the reader to a relevant website for further information too, but try to look further afield when researching my own hubs.

    replyreport
16. 58

    Critical Thinker1posted 11 years ago

    I use both, but my preference is books. I keep textbooks and syllabi from courses I found interesting and any journals or interesting newsletters I come across. Books are particularly helpful because of the bibliographies; from one interesting book I can find many other topics and sources. There are also scholarly articles available through online databases like JSTOR.
    
    The internet is a fantastic resource but if the article is not peer reviewed (or even it is) I try to take time to make check the credibility of the writer, the research material and if its a study, I track down who funded it. For example, knowing a study on health benefits of milk is funding by a dairy company is important.
    
    As others have mentioned, there are a lot of articles and information online that imply there is supporting research but don't provide it (this happens in print as well).   Regardless of where I get my information make sure its based on sound research so my hubs are also credible.

    replyreport
17. 60

    kiranferozposted 11 years ago

    beside use of internet i do consider books also for doing research to write a hub..

    replyreport