In the past, researchers often found vital information in a book located near the one originally sought. Good researchers looked at surrounding shelves for information because libraries organized books by discipline. With the explosion of information, research techniques and questions have become more global in nature. The researcher now is able to focus the search on the research question, not just the area of discipline of the question. Even though this new technology brings new search techniques and more access, researchers still need the skills for locating information using card catalogs and other guides are still necessary.
Human beings are incredibly slow, inaccurate and ingenious.
Computers can help organize, picture and store data collected. They can help record thoughts, find ways stating ideas, provide graphical representations and provide an appealing format for sharing information. Computers provide all of this assistance in a system that is becoming faster and easier to use. However, they cannot interpret data, make connections or determine meaning. Only humans can do that, making computers, as well as their software and peripherals, only tools.