Do recent technological advances (e.g., the World Wide Web, electronic databases) assure that future research will be of higher quality, or of greater utility, than past research? Support your answer

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

No. Recent technological advances certainly make information access quicker and easier. They also provide much wider access to information than was formerly possible. However, information acquired using technological advances is not necessarily different, in terms of its quality or utility, from information acquired in more tradition ways. Likewise, research based on information acquired through technological advances will not differ, in quality or utility, from research based on information acquired in more traditional ways. The method of acquisition has little or no bearing on how that information is ultimately understood and put to use.

Yes. The widespread dissemination of information that is now possible will result in greater and more widespread understanding of existing knowledge. Greater understanding of information within individuals will allow researchers to focus their work even more tightly on studies that will truly advance the state of knowledge. More widespread understanding of information within professional communities allows a greater and more diverse number of people to become actively involved in research endeavors.