Certified Internet Research Specialist (CIRS)

Certified Internet Research Specialist (CIRS)

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Internet Research

• What Internet Research Is (and What It Is Not)
• Role of an Internet Research Specialist
• Types of Online Research (Academic, Business, Market, OSINT)
• Ethics, Accuracy, and Responsible Research
• Common Research Pitfalls and Biases

Module 2: Search Engine Fundamentals

• How Search Engines Work
• Search Engine Algorithms (Basic Understanding)
• Keyword Research Basics
• Advanced Google Search Operators
• Using Alternative Search Engines (Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yandex)

Module 3: Advanced Search Techniques

• Boolean Logic (AND, OR, NOT)
• Phrase Searching and Wildcards
• File Type and Site-Specific Searches
• Date and Time-Based Searches
• Deep Web vs Surface Web
• Accessing the Invisible Web

Module 4: Evaluating Online Information

• Assessing Source Credibility
• Fact-Checking Techniques
• Identifying Fake News and Misinformation
• Cross-Verification of Sources
• Academic vs Non-Academic Sources
• Bias Detection and Critical Thinking

Module 5: Online Databases and Digital Libraries

• Academic Databases (Google Scholar, JSTOR, PubMed)
• Government and Institutional Websites
• Business and Market Research Databases
• Open Data Portals
• Using Archives and Historical Records

Module 6: Social Media and Web Research

• Researching on Social Media Platforms
• Social Media Monitoring Tools
• Trend Analysis and Sentiment Basics
• Extracting Insights from Forums and Communities
• Ethical Use of Social Media Data

Module 7: OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) Basics

• Introduction to OSINT
• Public Records and Open Data Sources
• People, Company, and Domain Research
• Image and Video Verification
• Geolocation and Metadata Basics

Module 8: Data Collection and Organization

• Research Planning and Question Framing
• Note-Taking and Documentation Techniques
• Using Spreadsheets and Research Tools
• Bookmarking and Reference Management
• Data Cleaning Basics

Module 9: Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Qualitative vs Quantitative Data
• Identifying Patterns and Trends
• Simple Data Analysis Techniques
• Turning Raw Data into Insights
• Avoiding Misinterpretation

Module 10: Reporting and Presentation of Findings

• Structuring Research Reports
• Writing Clear and Actionable Findings
• Visualizing Research Data (Charts, Tables, Infographics)
• Referencing and Citation Styles
• Executive Summaries and Briefings

Module 11: Research Tools and Automation

• Browser Extensions for Researchers
• Online Research Tools and Platforms
• Web Scraping Basics (Conceptual Overview)
• AI Tools for Research Support (Ethical Use)
• Productivity and Workflow Automation

Module 12: Legal, Ethical, and Privacy Considerations

• Copyright and Intellectual Property
• Data Protection and Privacy Laws
• Consent and Responsible Data Use
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Professional Research Standards