Reaching Out to Experts
Keila Dawson says:
When
reaching out to experts, I will reference their work, i.e., book, dissertation,
thesis, etc. to show how their work connects to the subject/topic I am writing
about and for the sake of time, ask a couple specific questions.
Gutenberg Resource
Jacquie Sewell says:
I have used National Geographic magazine, both current issues and their archives (available to subscribers online). They are a wealth of historical and scientific information. It's been fascinating reading "current" coverage of early deep ocean exploration in the archival issues.
I was just doing
some preliminary research on JJ Audubon and "remembered" what a great
resource Gutenberg.org is! Audubon's Ornithological Biography is only available
in rare book collections for in library use at libraries near me. But lo and
behold, the book is available - for free - on Gutenberg.org!
It's Never Time to Stop Researching
Jilanne Hoffmann says:
When writing about science that changes
with new discoveries, it's never time to stop researching. For A River of Dust I
made changes up to the time it went to the printer. But I knew it was time to
start writing when I had a critical mass of details that would make a full
story. Sure, I would need to change the back matter as I learned more, but I
had what I needed to know to write the story. So, I’d say for the changing
science peeps, you’re never done until the book goes to the printer. And even
then, I keep an eye on things that might change the info related to the book on
my website or in my school presentation. For example, the satellite that
measures dust ended its mission and was replaced by another with a different
name and different capabilities.
Ask a Librarian!
Jessica Fries-Gaither says:
When I get stuck in my research, I’ll
turn to a librarian for assistance. The Ask-A-Librarian service from the
Library of Congress (https://ask.loc.gov/) is especially helpful!
Scientific Research Papers
Katy Tanis says:
Use Google Scholar to search search for scientific papers. I am not a good one to comment about when you are done with research 🙂 [Annette says: I had also asked when you could tell you were ready to be done with research.]
Footnote Everything
Footnote everything. Every phrase or sentence in your outline or first draft. And then every edit you make in ever single revision later.
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More Research Tips
Set up a research notebook(s)
When research resources don't agree
How to research when you're not an expert
Resource evaluation
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