As the world becomes increasingly connected through the internet, access to information has never been easier. Scholars and researchers worldwide are relying on technology to gain access to academic resources, with Google Scholar being one of the most popular platforms for acquiring academic information.
However, researchers must navigate different cultural norms and practices that can affect their use of Google Scholar. This article explores the influence of cultural norms on Google Scholar usage and how it can affect researchers’ outcomes.
Cultural norms refer to the shared beliefs and practices that govern societies and communities globally. The norms that guide academic research can vary widely among cultures, and this affects how researchers use Google Scholar. For instance, in Western societies, academic research is individualistic, and scholars are judged according to their research’s results.
In contrast, non-Western societies emphasize collectivism, meaning scholars are not judged on their individual efforts but as part of a collective unit. This cultural norm influences the way non-Western scholars evaluate academic research, and this affects how they use Google Scholar.
Moreover, in some societies, intellectual property rights are not a prevalent cultural norm, meaning scholars find it difficult to cite original research or sources. Such practices can affect Google Scholar usage, subsequently affecting the research output of scholars.
The cultural norms in different societies also affect the language barrier and accent challenges researchers face when accessing academic resources on Google Scholar. For instance, many non-English-speaking researchers struggle with academic articles that are only written in English. Moreover, understanding the accent of fellow researchers from different cultural backgrounds can be an issue.
The cultural norms and practices affecting Google Scholar usage among researchers are essential areas that google needs to address. This technology company and other organisations could design features that cater to specific cultural needs to help scholars access academic resources faster regardless of their cultural background.
In summary, the cultural norms and practices differ in societies worldwide, and scholars must navigate these norms when using Google Scholar to acquire academic resources. By understanding and addressing these differences, Google Scholar could expand its user base, leading to a more diverse and cohesive research community.
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