12 great resources for more efficient online research

There is a reason why we use the expressions “google it” and “research it” interchangeably. Whenever we need something, we google it. While this is what me, you, and 99.9% of the population do, there are so many better ways to research than using Google. All you have to do is find the tools that will suit your needs. After you find them, try them, and decide whether or not they fit you. At least that’s what I did and I feel truly accomplished.

Google can be effective, but there are times when it does not meet our specific needs. For instance, if I want to check my spelling, trusting a good program already and accessing instantly is much more efficient than googling it. If I needed help with writing a certain word, it would be better for me to have a reliable online source to go to. As I’ve mentioned before, it would be more effective.

Losing time on useless research is…well, useless. So let’s make your life easier. Take a look at the following list of essential online resources.

Student Hacks

Learning new tricks on how to handle class work is always welcome. The site promotes innovative learning for different subjects and teaches students how to be more efficient in class or at home. It has different categories that you can pick from – grammar, history, English, Essay Help, Facebook, Interview, Jobs… everything basically! You can choose which category interests you the most and read different interesting articles on the topic.

Wunderlist

I don’t know about you, but keeping organized is my biggest challenge. It is so hard for me to stay on top of my tasks – sometimes I just lose it. If you are anything like me, Wunderlist makes your life so much easier. With its innovative design, it makes you plan everything accordingly, and it notifies you whenever you miss something.

Evernote

Similar to Wunderlist, Evernote is another great online tool. Whether your plans are personal or professional, this awesome web app keeps you right on track. “Capture, organize and share notes from anywhere. Your best ideas are always with you and always in sync” is what they believe in – and it’s a dang good description of what they can provide.

Essayontime

If you need help with your essays, Essayontime is the way to go. It can not only help you with essays, but with different books reports, PowerPoint presentations, or case studies. They also have a Dissertation service that helps with, of course, Dissertation, and Thesis. Essayontime can also do editing and proofreading – they are really fast and good at it!

Plagtracker

Plagiarism is common nowadays with all the free Internet access. People just search the web for what they need, and the perfect response shows up. Unfortunately, if you have to use that response in an academic paper or study, you have to change words and phrases to make it sound new. Plagtracker will detect plagiarism for you, fix errors, and proofread your paper.

Bartleby

This online book resource is the best I’ve found in months. It gives you access to a whole online library. What is even better is that you don’t have to spend money on a Kindle. You can use your own laptop, and casually read books for free.

BrainyQuote

“Quotation, n: The act of repeating erroneously the words of another.” - Ambrose Bierce, the Unabridged Devil's Dictionary. True, true, true, but we all need quotes in our lives. It inspires us, and it gives our writings a special sense of originality. It also triggers innovative ideas and makes us understand some topics deeply. Use BrainyQuote for amazing quotes on literally anything!

Zotero

Zotero sees the content in your browser and automatically recognizes it. This tool works as a great research assistant – it is always there for you, and it makes your life less challenging. Using only one click, you can add a certain saved item to your library, and search through that library later on.

Cold Turkey

No more ads! Cold Turkey is here to help you with that. No more ads means no more distractions, and no more distractions means focusing better on your work. Good focus means higher productivity, and that leads to more money and more free time. So why not give Cold Turkey a try?

Data Elixir

If you want to stay informed on the latest science news, use Data Elixir. It not only gives you free access to web news, it also provides you with endless resources for search engines.

Grammar Girl

As I’ve said before, conducting research is not an easy task when the only tool you have available is Google. Using Grammar Girl, your horizon will expand. On this website, you will find great sources for grammar tips, and awesome strategies for improving your writing. Whether English is your first language or not, they will make sure your skills improve daily!

English Oxford Dictionary

Latter but not least, this online resource will make you faster and more productive. You will feel more efficient because you will know where to look for everything that you need. Words are important for us writers, so finding definitions and synonyms quickly is essential.

Conclusion

I might have changed your mind on using “google it” and “research it” interchangeably, haven’t I? Good! Because now you know how many more options you have when it comes to online research. Whether is about your grammar, spelling, writing style, or simply defining words, there are so many available resources! You just need to find the right ones for you. I hope my list has been of great help. Try the ones I’ve suggested and see it for yourself. Make sure you give us feedback, whether positive or negative. Good luck!