Web research refers to identification, compilation and analysis of information that is already available on the web. It helps in preliminary research as well as, continuous monitoring of the market providing inputs to strategic decision-making. The correctness of any decisions taken depends upon the accuracy of the outcomes of the research. Therefore, there should not be any compromise in the quality of the research.

The quality of the Web research depends upon the attributes that are distinct only to it.

Relevancy of data:

There is a vast amount of data online, which is relevant as well as irrelevant to our requirements. Most of the information found on Internet is outdated or irrelevant. Moreover, required information may not be available from a single source. Tiny bits of relevant data from different sources should be gathered and compiled together to derive useful information. Ultimately, it is the relevancy and applicability of the data that decides the effectiveness of the research.

Credibility of the source:

There are millions of websites on Internet today. Data can be gathered from internal sources of the client, publications of governmental and non-governmental institutions, free access data on the Internet, professional newspapers and magazines, in annual reports of companies and commercial databases. Many of them provide information or data that may be inaccurate. Credible sources should be identified to collect the data.

Expert analysis:

Analysis of information needs expertise and experience. Analyst divides a completely complex data into small parts and validates by crosschecking its accuracy from the other sources. Analysis involves segregating of the relevant data according to the users requirements. An expert analyst cross analyzing the market, customers and competitors provides useful insights.

Presentation:

Presenting the analysis or the outcome of the research is the vital part of the research. It involves documenting the information in simple terms, interpreting the information in graphs, flow charts, pie diagrams etc. It helps to understand the provided information easily.

A systematic approach is necessary to search for the information using advanced tools, collect relevant data from credible sources, analyze and document the data. Every stage of research should be dealt with utmost importance to get accurate inputs, which makes Web research effective.