Question 20

Question

Jaco is exploring renewable energy adoption in South African households. To ensure a robust search strategy across different information systems, he should:

Stick to one reliable database to avoid being overwhelmed by too much information.

Use a mix of academic, industry, and government databases, adjusting search terms and filters according to each system's capabilities.

Conduct all searches in the most popular search engine for user-friendly experience.

Focus on databases that return the most results for quantity over quality.



2 is correct, why is 1 incorrect?


This approach ensures a comprehensive and multi-faceted exploration of the topic. Adjusting search terms and filters helps to manage the breadth of data and focus on the most relevant information, providing a balance between depth and breadth of research.


This approach may provide a broad overview of a topic but often lack the depth, advanced search capabilities, and access to specialized academic or industry-specific articles compared to academic databases. They are more suitable for preliminary research or for laypersons beginning to explore a topic. For academic or professional research requiring detailed and scholarly data, this would not be the most rigorous approach.


A large number of search results can be counterproductive if they are not closely related to the research question, as they can lead to information overload and extend the time needed for data sifting and analysis.


For a topic as broad and interdisciplinary as renewable energy adoption, this approach might miss important insights from other fields. It could lead to a narrow perspective, it's not the most robust approach for Jaco's needs.

Answer 1

Option 1 is incorrect because focusing solely on one reliable database limits the scope and diversity of information available to Jaco. While a single database might provide a wealth of information on its own, it may not cover all relevant aspects of renewable energy adoption due to varying disciplinary approaches, methodologies, and insights that different databases might offer.

By restricting his research to just one source, Jaco risks missing valuable perspectives, data, and trends that could come from exploring multiple databases across academic, industry, and government sectors. These diverse sources can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the topic, ensuring Jaco can access the latest research articles, industry reports, policy documents, and best practices.

In summary, using diverse information systems with adjusted search terms and filters ensures that Jaco assembles a well-rounded and detailed view of renewable energy adoption in South African households, which is crucial for a robust and effective analysis.