How do you research effectively?

“Hey do y’all have any resources for researching. Cause I have questions about things and I don’t wanna end up on a watch list.”

The number of weird things I’ve Googled over the years would definitely raise a few eyebrows. I’m a professional historian alongside my writing work, so research is something I do a lot of, and believe it or not, even professional researchers have to look up weird, uncanny, and straight-up taboo subjects sometimes.

Whether you’re researching historical poisons, modern weapons, or the intricacies of criminal enterprises, the research process can feel daunting and make you more than a little self-conscious. But there are certainly ways to research that will not only keep you respectful of the subject matter, but also give you much more nuanced and high-quality sources. So let’s dive in!

Best research practises

Use appropriate search terms

This may seem obvious, but the way you phrase a search will go a long way to the kind of content you’ll find. Framing your searches academically rather than sensationally will ensure that you get the most out of the resources you get back. Be as specific as you can and try to be dispassionate about the topic.

Searching “historical uses of arsenic” rather than “how to poison someone,” for instance, is going to give you a lot better information. You’ll learn from real-world examples and get usable information that isn’t as likely to stray into conjecture.

Focus on history

Using historical examples as opposed to present ones can offer helpful insights while keeping your research academic. Historical cases offer detailed documentation, legal proceedings, and cultural context that may be harder to find with contemporary events.

Historical research also often reveals fascinating patterns and precedents that can inform your understanding. For example, studying historical cases of counterfeiting can reveal techniques that are still in use, while looking into the history of prohibition in the United States can shed a light on modern-day patterns of organised crime. There are a lot of social and political parallels between history and the modern day.

Go to the source

A lot of topics will have NGOs, charities, historical, or governmental organisations dedicated to them already. They provide a ready-sourced, well researched and documented well from which you can draw. These organisations often maintain databases, research papers, and statistical records that can provide helpful insights.

For example, if researching a topic like drug trafficking, organisations like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) offer comprehensive reports and data. The last short story I published was about Anatomical Venuses (wax female figures used to teach about anatomy in the early history of modern medicine). Even a niche topic like that has dedicated groups. There is a museum in Florence with a huge collection of anatomical Venuses that have been catalogued and researched. And there’s a cross-disciplinary cultural institution called Morbid Anatomy that specialises in historical representations of death, life, and mortality.

The point is, that no matter how niche you think the topic is, there’s someone out there who has already put in a lot of the hard work for you. You just need to find them.

How to research

Start broad and narrow down

Begin with general sources like academic databases, reputable encyclopaedias, and scholarly articles. This gives you a foundational understanding before diving into specifics. Take notes on key terms, concepts, and sources mentioned in these materials, as they’ll help guide your deeper research.

Cross-reference everything

Always verify information across multiple sources. What appears in one source may be contradicted or expanded upon in another, helping you build a more complete and accurate picture.

When sources disagree, dig deeper to understand why. These contradictions often reveal important nuances or historical debates that can enrich your understanding of the subject matter.

Use academic resources

Libraries, universities, and academic institutions often provide access to specialised databases and journals. Many of these resources are available online, though you may need institutional access. JSTOR and Project MUSE are excellent starting points for finding peer-reviewed research on virtually any topic. Many libraries will also offer access to these journals if you’re a registered reader with them.

Go to libraries and archives

Physical libraries and archives remain invaluable research tools, offering access to materials that haven’t been digitised. Many libraries maintain special collections that focus on specific topics or time periods.

Local historical societies often house unique documents and artefacts relevant to regional history. University libraries can also allow public access to their collections, even if you’re not a student. Anad archivists and librarians can be incredibly helpful guides, pointing you toward resources you might have missed.

Ask the experts

Experts in academia, researchers, and professionals in related fields offer valuable insights. Many are more than willing to share their knowledge, especially if you approach them respectfully and show genuine interest.

Consider reaching out to professors, curators, or specialists through professional networks or academic institutions. If they’re too busy, your emails will just be ignored, so you have nothing to lose. But in my experience, as long as you’re prepared with specifics and guidance on what you need to know, they’ll be happy to engage with you. Or at least point you in the right direction for you to get the information you need.

Use online resources

As we’ve already covered, online databases like JSTOR, Project MUSE, and ResearchGate provide access to scholarly articles and research papers. Many museums, professional associations, and cultural institutions also maintain digital archives of their collections, making historical documents and artefacts accessible from anywhere.

Just be careful though, as some online platforms will represent themselves as academic databases, but don’t contain peer-reviewed sources or actual expert advice. Sites like Academia.edu, for instance, are a predatory for-profit database. They are known to publish low-quality papers alonside their legitimate ones, or lock citations behind a paywall, so you’re better off looking at other alternatives. Sites like Quora, as well, style themselves as a place to share knowledge, but a lot of the “experts” on there share information that is often incorrect or downright false.

Keep it organised

Develop a system to track your sources and findings. Create folders for different aspects of your research and maintain detailed records of where information came from. This helps ensure accuracy and makes it easier to revisit sources later.

When organising research materials, create a clear hierarchy of folders and use consistent naming conventions. This makes it easier to locate specific information quickly when you need it. Regular backups of your research materials can also help prevent the loss of valuable data. There is nothing worse than knowing you have information at your fingertips and not being able to find it again.

Common research pitfalls to avoid

• Don’t rely on a single source.
• Avoid outdated information.
• Be wary of unreliable sources.
• Don’t get lost in research at the expense of writing.
• Remember, if you’re writing fiction, not everything needs to be 100% accurate. You have creative licence, so you can play fast and loose with fact, if it serves your story.