Blog - Research

In this week's discussion on online research, we have talked about researching people, and topical research.  Following are links to tools and lists of helpful tools for researching online:

The National Archives: Research Tools and Ways to Search Online:  A list of resources available through the United States National archives, and suggestions for conducting a search.

Ask Bob Rankin: Free Online Research Tools: Excellent list of where to go to find what - alternate search engines and archive compilations.

iTools:  Search several search engines and resources at once for quotations, biographies, topics, and encyclopedias

ReadWriteWeb: 100 Alternative Search Engines:  Updated monthly since 2007

BibleGateway.com: An excellent online resource for Bible Study.  Contains numerous translations of the Bible and additional study resources.

Zotero (Research, not re-search): Capture, archive, and store your quotes and bibliography.

Keyword Discovery, by Trellion: This very helpful tool will provide information about related search terms, and how often the most popular search terms related to your topic are being used.

Virtual Salt: A comprehensive list of currently-popular search engines, databases, directories, graphic sites, periodicals, specialty research, and government research sites.

Library of Congress (LOC) Research Tools: (From the site:) "The Library of Congress offers a wide variety of online databases and Internet resources to the public via the Web, including its own online catalog. In addition, LC provides an easy-to-use gateway for searching other institutions' online catalogs and extensive links to resources on the Internet."  

Tomorrow, we'll discuss how to more effectively conduct academic research online.

Jennifer Pointer (e-mail) is a trainer and tech writer in Tulsa, OK. She promotes a simple, a low-tech approach to effective online profile management, search engine optimization and social networking. Her weakness is the mocha frappuccino.

This week we're discussion online research.  Yesterday, we talked about researching people; today, let's talk about topical research.

To begin a topical study, the first thing you want to do is find out what others have written on the general topic.  This is done online by entering your topic into a couple the various search engines (Google, Bing, etc.)  Check Wikipedia to find out what the "common wisdom" is on your topic.  As you read and skim, begin to accumulate a list of "keywords," relating to your topic, then run the same searches on those keywords.  Be sure to search the "news," and "blogs," section of your search engine, especially if your topic relates to current events.

As you enter your keywords into the search engines, the engines will suggest related and similar search terms that others have entered.  These may give you ideas for additional keywords, and search terms. 

Usually, your goal is to narrow your topic down to a subject that you can cover well within the space requirements you're working with, and to choose a specific topic about which you'll be able to find information online, but about which you'll be able to give a unique angle, or "take."  So, keep in mind that if you enter your topic, and there are 500M search engine results pages (SERPs), it's likely that topic has been covered ad naseum.  Get more specific.

You will want to link to reputable sources when you write on your topic.  As you research, make a note of which websites and blogs keep appearing near the top of the SERPs - these are likely the recognized experts in their field (unless, of course, they have either bought their space on the search engines, or in some other way artificially elevated themselves to their "peer reviewed" status - use your common sense).

Along with expert references, you may want to begin collecting illustrations, graphics, photos, and multi-media, if available to include with your presentation.  For more information, see Where can I find good content for my blog?

Also see: The National Archives: Research Tools and Ways to Search Online

Jennifer Pointer (e-mail) is a trainer and tech writer in Tulsa, OK. She promotes a simple, a low-tech approach to effective online profile management, search engine optimization and social networking. Her weakness is the mocha frappuccino.

One of my favorite things about the web is the ability to do research online.  Whether you're blogging, writing, or networking, you'll probably find yourself needing to do some research for your various projects.  This week, we're going to talk about how to do that research more effectively.  Today, let's talk about how to research people online.

In some cases, you'll want to find out more about someone you have just met, or someone you are preparing to writing about.  Perhaps you're wanting to hire someone, or research a candidate you're considering voting for in the upcoming elections (or a member of the opposition party - this is called "oppo" research).  Here are some things you can do. 

Search Engine

I always start with a basic search on Google.com and 123People.com, under the person's name, and any known aliases or pseudonyms.  This will give you a basic idea of what information is out there, and where to take your search. 

Directory

Anywho.com, and WhitePages.com will help you find anyone who has a landline.  YellowPages.com will help you find most businesses.

Social Networks

Searching for people on LinkedIN.com, Facebook.com, and MySpace.com can give you an idea of who is in a person's network of friends and associates.  Also available sometimes are photos, events and groups the person is involved in, and education and employment information, as well as hobbies and interests.

Public Records

Intelius.com and Ancestry.com are paid services that can give you a great deal of background information about a person, including cell phone records, criminal records, marriage info, current and past addresses, and more.

Note:  Keep in mind that while you are researching people, it is possible that they also may be researching you.  It's a good idea to perform these searches on yourself, to find out what they are likely to find. 

Jennifer Pointer (e-mail) is a trainer and tech writer in Tulsa, OK. She promotes a simple, a low-tech approach to effective online profile management, search engine optimization and social networking. Her weakness is the mocha frappuccino.