The Role of Technology in Research

The role of technology in research is beneficial, but can potentially pose disadvantages to the research and the researchers. The textbook outlines the use of computers specifically within research in Chapter 10. As for technology resources, computers can be considered the most common. For example, I can use my laptop to search the internet for a new blender on Amazon within 5 minutes. The provides me with great ease whenever I'm trying to do personal research. The text states “computers are tools that help us to store, process, access, and analyse data more quickly and easily” (163). Overall, the great benefit of technology is to save time and money for future researchers. It would be extremely inconvenient for me to visit all of the local department stores to conduct my research on blenders, not to mention the expense.

At one time, the printing press and the use of books were considered to be technological advances. So, for this discussion forum, I needed to consult the textbook, or technology, for my research on the role of technology in research. This was much easier than me creating hypothesis and theory about the role of technology in research because I could better use my time to study for our exam this week.

The disadvantage of research is the ease it provides to the researcher. The researcher can become too dependent on his or her technology and not truly knowledgeable about the information. The text states “you must have command over the methods you are using and you should also know your data well” (165). A researcher cannot become dependent of the technology or the research could yield poor results. As a researcher, one is expected be an expert on the information.