Online Class: Basic Research Skills

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
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11Lessons
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23Exams &
Assignments -
4,791Students
have taken this course -
5Hours
average time -
0.5CEUs
Course Description
Unlock the secrets to mastering information in today's fast-paced, information-saturated world with Basic Research Skills. This course is not just about finding facts—it’s about empowering you to become an expert at discovering reliable, accurate information faster than ever before. Whether you're navigating complex academic topics, working on career-defining projects, or simply looking to sharpen your knowledge base, this course gives you the competitive edge by teaching you how to research smarter, deeper, and with more precision.
In Basic Research Skills, you’ll discover the true power of research—beyond just Google searches. Learn how to leverage the Dewey Decimal System to unlock your library’s hidden treasures, explore the overlooked potential of dictionaries and thesauruses to refine your writing, and tap into encyclopedias, almanacs, and atlases to gain insights only seasoned researchers know about. From navigating Internet search engines like a pro to discovering reputable news sources and specialized academic journals, this course covers every aspect of finding the information you need—quickly, accurately, and comprehensively.
Whether you're a student preparing for exams, a professional advancing your career, or someone with a passion for knowledge, this course is your all-in-one solution for mastering research in today's complex world. You’ll leave this course not just with knowledge but with a lifelong skill that will serve you in every area of your life.
What Sets This Course Apart:
- Comprehensive Coverage: From library systems to digital news and academic databases, this course covers research tools you never knew you needed.
- Practical & Real-World Application: Each lesson is designed to provide strategies you can use immediately—no fluff, just actionable insights.
- Self-Paced Freedom: Learn on your own time, at your own speed, with the flexibility to fit this course into any schedule.
Why Choose This Course? Imagine having the ability to find exactly what you need for any project, presentation, or personal curiosity—accurately, efficiently, and without wasting hours on unreliable information. Basic Research Skills equips you with the knowledge to cut through the noise and confidently navigate the vast world of information. And with lessons that cater to both traditional research methods and modern digital tools, you’ll have the best of both worlds.
Don’t settle for surface-level research—become a true expert in finding the information you need. Enroll today and take control of your learning journey. Your future self will thank you for it.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- Printable Lessons
- Full HD Video
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons
Lesson 1. The Critical Importance of Deep and Credible Research
By prioritizing credible source evaluation and information synthesis, research ensures that we can confidently navigate misinformation and make informed choices in personal and professional contexts.Lesson 2. Library Empowerment: Bridging Past Wisdom with Future Innovation
In an age dominated by digital resources, libraries stand as crucial community pillars, facilitating focused research and providing reliable information that the cluttered online world often lacks.Lesson 3. Organizing Knowledge the Dewey Way
While the Dewey Decimal System is ubiquitous, academic libraries often use the Library of Congress Classification system for its granular categorization. This system offers precise access to specialized materials, ensuring comprehensive research opportunities for scholars in intricate fields.Lesson 4. Words Matter
In cross-disciplinary studies, dictionaries help navigate vocabulary across different fields, maintaining linguistic integrity while integrating knowledge from multiple domains. Multilingual dictionaries ensure accurate interpretation and engagement with texts from varying cultural or linguistic backgrounds.Lesson 5. Thesaurus: Your Gateway to Richer Language
In the digital age, thesauruses have evolved from physical books into online tools that integrate with writing software, offering real-time suggestions to improve the quality and precision of writing. These innovations make it easier than ever for students, professionals, and writers to access a wealth of vocabulary alternatives that match the evolving nature of language.Lesson 6. Anchors in the Digital Age: Leveraging Print and Digital Reference Tools
In a digital world overwhelmed by information, encyclopedias, almanacs, and atlases remain vital for accurate research, offering curated knowledge that amplifies the quality of any study. These tools provide essential context, historical insight, and factual depth, ensuring comprehensive understanding beyond what quick online searches can offer.Lesson 7. Accessing Knowledge: How Internet Search Engines Reshape Our Research Practices
The internet's democratization of information necessitates ethical research practices, including proper citation and combating misinformation. With algorithmic biases shaping search results, researchers are urged to actively seek diverse perspectives to avoid filter bubbles and enhance understanding.Lesson 8. Harnessing Internet News Sources for Credible Research
Google Alerts enables automated, timely updates on specific research interests by scanning the web for relevant keywords, thus optimizing research efficiency and ensuring comprehensive coverage of ongoing developments. Its flexibility permits researchers to refine criteria, adapting to dynamic research needs and guaranteeing relevant content delivery.Lesson 9. Engage, Explore, Elevate: Utilizing Blogs, Images, and Magazines in Research
Blog platforms unlock access to diverse, firsthand expertise and personal insights often absent from traditional media, aiding researchers in detecting trends and voices from niche communities. By interacting with bloggers and readers, researchers can deepen their understanding of complex subjects and stay abreast of emerging debates and ideas.Lesson 10. Unlocking Scholarly Potential: Navigating Journals and Academic Papers
Journals act as academia's gatekeepers, publishing meticulously vetted research that contributes to the global knowledge pool. Accessing these resources through university libraries, Google Scholar, or open-access platforms is crucial for comprehensive research.Lesson 11. Navigating Academic Networks through Bibliographies
Diving into bibliographies transforms individual research into an interconnected exploration, linking different disciplines and time periods. Annotated bibliographies further enhance this process by providing evaluative summaries, helping researchers quickly assess the relevance and quality of their sources.
Learning Outcomes
- Define the core elements of effective research by evaluating the credibility of sources and synthesizing diverse perspectives.
- Demonstrate the application of research skills in personal decision-making to ensure informed choices, such as in financial or travel planning.
- Demonstrate the ability to locate and leverage specialized resources offered by libraries, such as scholarly databases and multimedia tools, to enhance research outcomes.
- Identify and describe three benefits of utilizing physical libraries over online resources, emphasizing curated information and librarian expertise.
- Define the purpose and structure of the Dewey Decimal System as a method for organizing knowledge in libraries.
- Identify and categorize books into appropriate Dewey Decimal sections to facilitate efficient research and resource discovery in a library setting.
- Identify the role of digital dictionaries in providing real-time updates and expanding vocabulary for diverse fields.
- Recognize the importance of dictionaries in enhancing language precision and articulation across various contexts.
- Define how using a thesaurus can diversify vocabulary and enhance language precision in writing and speech.
- Identify and apply suitable synonym alternatives from a thesaurus to improve the emotional resonance and engagement of written or spoken content.
- Describe the role of encyclopedias, almanacs, and atlases in enhancing research by providing reliable and curated information.
- Explain how digital transformations have expanded the utility and accessibility of encyclopedias, almanacs, and atlases, making them essential resources in modern research.
- Identify the function of internet search engine crawlers and their role in indexing web content.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information

- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
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Time to complete | 12 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
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Time to complete | 24 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Student Testimonials
- "This course was helpful as a refresher course for me. Course work covered all the basics needed to begin developing research skills." -- Bridget B.
- "This class exceeded my expectations. I learned so much. I feel that I can fully use all of the information covered. This class opened my eyes to how little I know and how much there is to know." -- Jimmie S.
- "I feel the course covered multiple resources for research including academia which really informed me of how much and many ways research can be done. The flow of the research tools put together in each lesson made it easier for me to follow. Very pleased!" -- Catherine W.
- "I haven't been in school or had to do serious research for school for 37 years, so I had forgotten some of the ways to research the old school way which was very helpful." -- Roselle W.
- "I thought the instructor covered all aspects of the research topics that could be covered extremely well and I enjoyed the class very much." -- Sue P.
- "Overall a worthwhile experience and I learned alot!" -- Jeffrey I.
- "This course was succinct and left little to no questions for me to consider." -- Laura A.
- "The instructor was very knowledgeable professional." -- Stella M.
- "Great instructor and course material." -- Sharon C.
- "Beautiful, informative." -- Serene R.
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