Libraries are often underrated as a source of information and research material, yet they offer an array of invaluable resources for student researchers writing academic papers. With access to a wide range of books, periodicals, and online resources, libraries provide a safe and reliable source of information that can help students write high quality papers. Internet sources despite being the most available, they pose a threat to getting accurate information. Most of the sources may not be verifiable hence increasing the chances of getting inaccurate results.
For students who are overwhelmed by the research process, Libraries offer great support as it offers physical and knowledgeable librarians present to help locate specific sources as well as provide guidance on how to effectively utilize library resources. The internet has large volumes of information that may take an academic researcher long hours to identify the specific source that might be useful. The process may become cumbersome and tiresome which poses a threat to the researcher getting wrong information that is misleading.
The use of library resources helps students to improve research skills and critical thinking ability which serves them well beyond the completion of their academic papers as compared to the internet sources which might be deleted anytime hence making it useless in future.
Library resources are safe and secure as the books and are other resources are monitored by a qualified and trained personnel. Researchers using Internet sources face a great challenge of being attacked by viruses and may end up corrupting the whole system. Corrupt individuals have managed to create links that once clicked; they obtain the researchers personal information which may be used to steal.
Having looked at both the advantages and disadvantages of using both the sources from the library and the internet, it is recommended that academic researchers to use Library sources as they are reliable, safe and secure. They should avoid internet sources due to the unreliability and also reduce the risk of leaking their personal information to hackers.