You want me to search the Internet for that?
ByInternet Research Tips From The Data Digger
Internet Research
Sometimes our clients ask us for information or data that we may not have the answer for. It is one thing when we conduct research on the Internet for our own information and it is a whole different thing when we conduct research for a client.
For example, when you are seeking information for your personal use typically you are curious. You have a reason for conducting the search. Then, you can take as long as you want. You can let yourself get distracted and explore alternative subjects or sources that your search results yielded. When a client gives you an online research project your time becomes money. The client will most likely give you a deadline and a budget. You may only have four hours over a two day period to research the information the client requested. On top of that, you may not necessarily enjoy the topic. If it is boring to you, finding the motivation to stick with it can be a challenge.
How Can You Streamline Your Search Process?
- Set the Timer: Give yourself manageable blocks of time. If you know your attention span is good for twenty minutes, then set the timer for twenty minutes. For me, I set my timer for sixty minutes. Once I start the timer, I focus solely on the research project. Then, when the time is up I take a break. When the allotted time is up it does not mean I am finished with the project. It means I am going to step away from my computer and give my mind a chance to refresh. I give myself ten minutes. After my break, I return to my computer, I set the timer and give my research project my undivided attention for the next block of time. Obviously continue the cycle in this manner until your research is complete.
- Browser History: It can be quite frustrating when you close a window in your browser because you think you have all the information you need only to realize when you go to write the report you forgot a piece of data. How do you find that data again? How do you find it quickly? Refer to your browser history. I prefer to use Mozilla Firefox as my primary browser. The “History” option is on the top navigation bar. When I click on that I have a multitude of options. I can see all the sites I searched in the past day all the way back beyond six months.
- Multiple Tabs in the Browser: When I open my browser I pull up Google search engine in the first tab that opens with the browser. I enter my keywords and hit search. I leave this tab open for the duration of my search. If I see a result that matches what I am looking for, I open the result in another tab. (For some, you may right click on the result and select “open in new tab” from the drop down menu; others may click the center mouse button and the result will open in a new tab; while others may use a mouse gesture) For efficiency, I will evaluate all the results on a page in the original Google search and open multiple tabs as results seem to match my search. After I have selected all the sites I want to see I then click on the tab with the individual site. If I need to refer back to the original search, it is already available in the first tab.
- Multiple Search Engines: I will admit I am a Google goddess. Google is my search engine of choice. It is the first search engine I use when conducting research. However, I will copy the keywords I plugged into Google and paste them into other search engines. Why? Because other search engines rank information differently. Typically the first page of other search engines will yield similar if not exactly the same results produced in Google. To me it is worth checking a few pages in the search results of another search engine to see if a site was indexed higher. I can be assured I left no stone unturned for my client.
I hope you find these tips helpful. I really enjoy teaming up with other virtual assistants as well as small businesses. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like support for your Internet research projects.
