The article discusses the tools that open source researchers need for online research. A survey was conducted among over 500 open source researchers to understand their tool requirements. The results showed that the online researcher community is diverse, with researchers coming from various professional backgrounds. The survey highlighted that the most preferred tools are those that are free, easy to use, and clearly describe their capabilities. The article also mentions the challenges faced by researchers, such as verification of online sources and finding reliable and up-to-date information. Tool developers are advised to offer free tools, provide detailed documentation, and be transparent about tool limitations to meet the needs of the open source researcher community.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open source researchers need specific online research tools | More specialized and user-friendly tools | Tools that are more accessible and user-friendly | Need for free, accessible, and easy-to-use tools |
| Open source researchers come from diverse backgrounds | Wide range of professionals conducting research | Increased diversity in the open source community | Diverse professional backgrounds |
| Researchers prefer free tools with clear descriptions | Preference for free tools with clear descriptions | More availability of free tools with clear descriptions | Cost and usability considerations |
| Google is the most popular and helpful tool for researchers | Google is widely used and considered helpful | Continued reliance on Google as a primary tool | Familiarity and ease of use |
| Command line tools are not widely used by researchers | Limited use and understanding of command line tools | Decreased reliance on command line tools | Lack of technical skills and accessibility |
| Researchers struggle to find the right tools for their work | Difficulty and time-consuming process of finding tools | Improved tool discovery process for researchers | Need for better tool discovery methods |
| Online researchers value transparency and clear instructions | Desire for transparency and clear instructions | Increased transparency and clear instructions | Frustration with lack of information and overselling |
| User interface apps are more accessible to researchers | Accessibility of user interface apps | Increased availability of user interface apps | Limited technical skills and accessibility |
| Online researchers are open to trying new tools | Willingness to try new tools | Continued openness to trying new tools | Curiosity and potential benefits |