5 Ways To Enhance Your Research Techniques

Research is the most important and time-consuming part of creating content.

I know because it takes up a big chunk of my day. It can be the most aggravating process when you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for. Like if I need 10 facts about a wrench but can only find five interesting ones, none of which are supported by primary sources, so, in the end, they’re useless. That’s when I know it’s either time to change my research method or re-evaluate the project. Sometimes Google operators aren’t as thorough as we hope.

So, next time you’re on the hunt for some valuable research, don’t panic when Google doesn’t read your thoughts. Here are five tips to keep in mind while you crawl the Web:
 
1. Be fluent in Google’s search options.

Instead of clicking through Web page after Web page, optimize your hunt by choosing time frames and types of content.

Here’s an example. I was researching Twitter chat tools and wanted the latest information. For that, I needed to filter those 144,000,000 search results. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

Under “Search tools,” I told Google’s operators to just show me content from the past year.

I also chose a more basic reading level to better understand the topic. Then, I worked my way up to the most advanced data.

The “Search Tools” option can be the perfect way to filter information by sources and time frame.

2. It’s all about keywords.

Know what to ask your search engine.

If you search for a keyword, make sure it’s three to five words, or longtail. Also, use quotes to search full phrases. If not, Google will look for the words in any context, especially through meta descriptions. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, start with general terms and get more specific.

This infographic, created by HackCollege, is a good resource for optimizing your search on Google.

3. Don’t just rely on a search engine. Make sure you dig deep.

Just because it doesn’t come up in your Google search, doesn’t mean the information doesn’t exist. Don’t get discouraged. The information is likely there, you just need to change the way you’re looking for it. A good start is to go directly to sources you’ve used before.

Valuable information is tucked away in the deepest and darkest corners of the Internet. Channel your inner child and step into a game of hide and seek. Think about where that information could be hiding. For instance, associations, universities and government organizations release studies, surveys and new research every day. If you’ve found an article with interesting points, check out what they used as a primary source (the original material for their article). You may even find some extra data the secondary sources didn’t report on.

4. Legitimize the research you’ve gathered.

This may be the most important step of a well-executed research strategy. Don’t just take Joe Shmoe’s word for granted unless you know he’s a community voice and a recognized professional in your industry. Everything you write should be based on what other industry professionals have theorized and backed up with legitimate sources.

If you’re working with primary sources, that can be tricky. That’s where going straight to the source can help you out.

Pro tip: Keep a running list of sources you already trust. It’s a good personal resource to reference when the search gets tough.

5. It’s OK to take shortcuts.

Cutting corners isn’t the best advice for everything, but for reading research it can make all the difference. Use shortcuts, like Command+F, while researching to ensure the source contains the information you’re looking for.

Command+F is your friend. Always Command+F your keywords (Hey, remember tip No. 2?) once you think you’ve found something. This trick just brings you to the data, but it’s your job to make sure it’s worthy.

What are some of your tricks while conducting research? Share them with us below in the comments.