Important Sources of Information.
One of my favourite hobbies is to carry out research. I could almost consider it as an addiction. I love discovering new facts and pieces of seemingly unimportant information to make use of in the future. There are many different sources which I use to gather my information. Currently, the five most important sources for me, I consider to be:
The Internet
The Internet is arguably my most important source of information. I imagine that this is where the majority of new information that I acquire comes from. The Internet is home to millions of constantly growing pools of information on almost any given topic accessible via many different forms of digital media. It is also time-efficient, with information arriving at ultra-high speeds, making trips to the library seem like an absurdity. Websites such as Google, Wikipedia and Youtube are notable examples that deliver innumerable amounts of free information for Internet users located all around the World.
Word of Mouth
I still consider word of mouth to be a very important source. I appreciate that I am not the World's best researcher and that I could miss valuable pieces of information. This is why talking to other people in my profession in similar circumstance can be very beneficial, as I know that they are spending time conducting their own research, too. Not only can the people I engage in conversation with provide me with information, they can also benefit me by giving me their opinions and reflections on the information they are sharing with me.
Television
After accumulating hundreds of hours in my childhood and adolescent life of watching television, I can vouch that it was, and still is, an important source of information. There are 24-hour news channels that provide constant updates of news all around the globe, so that we can always stay up-to-date with current affairs. Breakfast shows and late-night entertainment shows often include live interviews with artistes and celebrities from our profession, giving us insights on their experiences, recent work and, occasionally, advice. In addition, documentaries covering a wide variety of topics are often broadcast, providing alternative views to already well-known conceptions.
Newspapers/Books
Although much of the information I obtain is in digital format, I still like to have some information presented to me on paper. I still buy and use books such as encyclopaedias and other literature for reference on specialised topics. Newspapers such as the Evening Standard and The Metro are often available in the vicinity of tube stations or on board buses. These newspapers are freely available to us and can be picked up during our commutes adding value to the busy lifestyle that we live. Newspapers and books can succeed where mobile technology fails, for example, in underground stations and other locations where there is no phone signal or connection to the Internet.
Mobile Phone
As per my earlier post, I view the mobile phone as one of the most essential tools for instantly obtaining information. Courtesy of the Internet, all of the above is accessible through the use of today's smart phones. Not only do you have access to the worldwide web, you are also able to contact others directly in real-time, using standard GSM services to obtain word-of-mouth information, watch television and even view digital copies of newspapers or books (E-books). The best thing about it is that it is truly portable and that I have the power to do all of this using a small item stored in my pocket.
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