Digital Tools for Graduate Student: Tech Stack for Success

Being a doctoral student in Information Science and working as a research assistant at the Center for Technology in Government (CTG), I often feel like I am running a marathon, one in which there are very few opportunities for me to slow down. Reading and writing articles, as well as conducting research, can make me feel overwhelmed without the right strategies and support systems. In navigating this dual role, I have discovered that digital tools are essential to help my productivity and, at the same time, increase efficiency. Below I share three tools that have been particularly valuable in supporting both my doctoral journey and my responsibilities as a research assistant: Google NotebookLM, Taguette, and Microsoft Outlook.

1. Google NotebookLM

NotebookLM allows users to upload documents and then interact with them in different ways. One of its most helpful features is the ability to ask specific questions about a document. For example, I usually begin using this AI research tool by asking "What is the research question of this study?” and “What is the objective of this study?” to deal with a lengthy article. This tool will give me concise answers that can quickly help me determine whether the article aligns with my research focus and whether it warrants further in-depth reading. This tool not only saves time but also allows me to prioritize which articles I need to investigate most thoroughly. Another feature I regularly use is “listen and learn on the go,” which transforms documents into an engaging, podcast-like format. This allows me to absorb the key ideas of an article while commuting or performing other tasks, making the learning experience more flexible and enjoyable.

2. Taguette

One of my responsibilities as a Research Assistant with CTG is to assist in qualitative research, which often involves conducting interviews and analyzing transcripts. I rely on Taguette, a free and open-source qualitative analysis software, to support me in analyzing the interview transcripts. Using Taguette, I can upload the interview transcripts and highlight key sections for a specific thematic code, then I can export the results for further analysis. Being cost-free, the software also provides users with the flexibility to work either locally on their computer if they are concerned about the security of their data, or they can work online on Taguette’s server, which gives them the flexibility to work virtually and collaboratively with other people.

3. Outlook or other Calendars

Sometimes studying and working at the same time is quite challenging. I have to be really aware of the deadlines for my assistantship and my school duties. I personally have found that the biggest challenges I face are managing my time effectively and keeping my schedule organized. In this context, without a system, it is very easy to lose track of notes and miss important deadlines. I rely on Outlook for time management and scheduling. I put all my schedules for meetings, tasks, and different types of deadlines on my Outlook and put 15-minute reminders before the time to remind me and keep me on track. 
Ultimately, I believe that graduate school will always be demanding, but digital tools can give graduate students a better chance at thriving rather than just surviving.