#Essential Apps for Academic Researchers: Tools You May Not Know
Written on
Chapter 1: Introduction to Research Tools
Welcome to another installment of #TechTuesday, where we delve into the intersection of academic research and technology. In this edition, I aim to highlight several niche applications that I frequently utilize, as they prove to be incredibly beneficial.
It’s crucial to remember that the most valuable tool any researcher possesses is their own intellect. Engaging deeply with a problem, reflecting on it, and exploring various ideas are skills that technology cannot replace.
Additionally, I still find pen and paper indispensable. I often sketch ideas, jot down thoughts in long-form, and organize my thinking through doodles. Furthermore, traditional books—my enduring favorite—comprise a significant portion of my serious reading material.
However, traditional academic tools can coexist with modern technology. Throughout my brief career, I have explored numerous archives, conducted hundreds of research interviews, and regularly engage with both large and small datasets. Managing, processing, storing, and retrieving this diverse range of data is an integral part of my weekly responsibilities.
Section 1.1: Text Extraction with TextSniper
To illustrate my point, let’s consider a straightforward example. Imagine you have an old PDF that you photographed at an archive, or an image containing text that you wish to extract. While you can utilize "optical character recognition" (OCR) on a PDF, it’s often impractical if you only need a specific paragraph or if the content is in an image.
In this case, I rely on an app called TextSniper, which is a remarkably simple yet effective OCR tool. By activating the app and dragging a box over the desired text on your screen, it will copy that text for you to paste elsewhere.
This app is not only efficient but impressively accurate. I’ve successfully used it on poorly scanned archival materials, and it adeptly extracts text even from paragraphs with unusual spacing and breaks. Priced at just $8, it’s an affordable option, though it’s only available for Mac users.
Section 1.2: Window Management with Magnet
Another application I frequently use, especially on my larger work monitor, is Magnet. If you’re accustomed to Windows, you’re likely familiar with the ability to snap windows to the sides of your screen. Magnet offers a similar functionality for Mac users.
I primarily utilize this app during data analysis, as I often need to view my terminal, multiple Excel sheets, TRAC’s website, and various documents simultaneously. Although macOS does provide a split-screen mode, I prefer having multiple windows organized into zones on a larger display.
Subsection 1.2.1: Automating File Management with Hazel
The last app I want to mention is Hazel, which is more advanced than the previous two but is incredibly useful for saving time. Hazel automates file organization, eliminating the need for manual sorting.
For instance, I often share screenshots related to visual projects with my co-authors and colleagues. Every time I take a screenshot, my Mac saves it as a .png file starting with "screenshot," but its location can be unpredictable.
To tackle this, I configure Hazel to automatically move any new file beginning with "screenshot" into a designated folder within my downloads. I also instruct Hazel to delete any screenshot that remains in this folder for over an hour, ensuring that my computer doesn’t accumulate unused files.
The simple rule for deleting screenshots is illustrated below. I also use Hazel for more research-specific tasks related to our workflow at TRAC, as well as for organizing different document versions when collaborating with co-authors.
Chapter 2: Conclusion
In summary, while this post isn’t focused on immigration, researchers may find these handy tools beneficial. Feel free to share any applications or tools you find useful in the comments below!