Why would anybody here ask a question, considering they have the research tool right in front of them?

Question

The internet is one of the best research tools known to humankind. So, why would anybody ask a question here, if they can go to ask.com, Google, Yahoo, or any other search engine, to ask their question? I just don't get it. Maybe it's an interactive thing. Maybe people just want different viewpoints. Maybe I talk too much. Maybe the entire time spent here is just more fun. Either way, I'd still research my own questions, before or after getting the answer here. Wouldn't you? Do you?

Answer 1

I'll give 'em the benefit of the doubt and say that maybe they tried that already and couldn't find what they wanted.

Answer 2

Have you read the questions? Have you been to any of the forums to see what people are asking? Yes, a lot of people ask what would seem to be a silly question but I think those people are just bored. There are also a lot of legitimate questions that can't be found just by checking with a search engine. My own question was a request for help on finding songs that would be meaningful to put on a disc for my sister. Most of the answers I received were more along the lines of romantic than sisterly but I appreciated that people took the time to give an answer. It made me think that there are probably a bunch of people who ask questions to see what kind of response they will get and also as a way to feel a part of something.

Answer 3

I would research my own question through other resources if it was factual based. I think most people would, this is just one place to look. Asking around on message boards, news groups etc can generate some answers that are unique and creative that you might not find else where and there is a quick speed of responses. Less work, quicker, more results.
I think you are right about the interaction part.
This is a good place to go to ask opinion based questions.

Answer 4

A lot of people come on here for answers to personal questions that research can't answer. Some do it for fun, like trivia questions. Some do it to make a point. Others to get a thrill out of saying something salacious. There are as many reasons as there are questions.

Answer 5

Usually I find better answers here. Sometimes it's better from both viewpoints, to get a real human's opinion and to research it on the internet. Sometimes it's a question that you cannot find on the internet, and this is the place to go.

Answer 6

Yes, I love to do research. And I've often wondered about that too. I don't know if people are just too lazy or don't know how to do it. The only questions that should be in this forum, in my opinion, are ones that you can't find the answer to on the Internet and ones that are looking for counseling, etc.

Answer 7

if you dont like this website so much then why are you writing a question. The internet is a great place for research but if you wants a fast answer to a question might as well ask the millions on people that you yahoo. it is easy andquick.

Answer 8

Some times you want to know a person's life experience about the topic. Sometimes, you aren't pulling up satisfactory data online since you don't know enough about a topic. Sometimes you need to know which of several options have worked and why. Sometimes you want the inside scoop on a topic. Sometimes you just want to know what others really think and feel rather than what the official sites say we do.

Answer 9

You ask a good question. Most of the questions I see are poorly disguised attempts at advancing the asker's own views. This is more of a bulletin board than a Q&A.

Answer 10

cus they dont feel like doing the research and rather just type a question have someone else do all the internet surfing and stuff.