Effective research
Effective nonfiction writing rests heavily on a set of well-developed, carefully-organized research materials. Thorough, assiduous research—often tedious and laborious in nature—gives writing breadth and depth, richness and authority. It provides detail and density—and helps make the writing "come alive."

The Internet has exploded onto the research scene, giving researchers unprecedented access to mountains of material. The Internet, however, has not replaced the library and other traditional information sources, and effective researchers make full use of both sources.

Internet research divides into two broad categories: primary and secondary.

Primary sources generally include the original materials on which other research is based.

Secondary sources are less easily defined—but generally consist of materials that describe, interpret, analyze, and evaluate the primary sources.

Search engines and other tools allow even inexperienced researchers to tap into this avalanche of data. But effective research still requires the ability to identify the range of access points—and to fully and fairly evaluate the relevance, quality, and reliability of identified materials. Internet researchers must address important questions:

What are the author's qualifications?
Is he or she an authority?
Can the author be reached through an e-mail, a phone number, a mailing address?
Can the accuracy of information be checked—by following links to cited sources?
What is the date on the material?
When was the material last updated?
When was the web page last updated?

Answers to these questions (and many others) help identify bogus or limited sites and help ensure the quality of the research—a critical element in the overall research task.

Effective research begins with some clearly-defined goals, some carefully-crafted research questions, some well-tested search strategies, and a few evaluation guidelines (to assess the worth of the material).

With these tools in hand, the researcher is equipped to tackle the often irrationally organized internet material—and to carry out an effective research project.

Research needs vary, and the scope and nature of research studies vary widely. Some research projects require only a "one-shot" effort. Others require ongoing investigations and regular updates.

If you would like to "hash over" a potential research topic—or if you simply wish to get acquainted—give me a call or drop me a note (otteson@aol.com). I'll listen carefully to your ideas—and we'll go from there.

Orlo J. Otteson
651-278-4824
otteson@aol.com