The wealth of information on the internet is amazing. It’s not called the “Information Super Highway” without good reason. But research is more than a search on Google. It still requires getting out of the chair and away from the computer. Susan K. Stewart will take you back to the basics of research. She will show how to use original source documents, interviews, the stacks at the library, and other little-known resources. In addition, she shares some hints for effective internet research.

1. Susan K. Stewart
Practical Inspirations
www.practicalinspirations.com
susan@practicalinspirations.com
Copyright 2018
Everything I Need to Know Is on the
Internet?
Susan K. Stewart
susan@practicalinspirations.com
www.practicalinspirations.com
Research Considerations
Subject
Expenses
Time
Story
Beyond the Internet
Encyclopedias
Books
Magazines
Finding the Source
Original documents

2. Susan K. Stewart
Practical Inspirations
www.practicalinspirations.com
susan@practicalinspirations.com
Copyright 2018
Statistics
People

3. Susan K. Stewart
Practical Inspirations
www.practicalinspirations.com
susan@practicalinspirations.com
Copyright 2018
Your Friendly Librarian
Public Library
Find material beyond your branch
College Libraries
Other libraries
County law library
Historical Society
Museums
The Human Touch
Professionals
Teachers
Associations

4. Susan K. Stewart
Practical Inspirations
www.practicalinspirations.com
susan@practicalinspirations.com
Copyright 2018
Travel
The Internet

5. Susan K. Stewart
Practical Inspirations
www.practicalinspirations.com
susan@practicalinspirations.com
Copyright 2018
How do you know it is good information?
Consider the source
Look at context
Verify

6. Susan K. Stewart
Practical Inspirations
www.practicalinspirations.com
susan@practicalinspirations.com
Copyright 2018
Interview Tips
1. Know basic information before you start the interview. If
you can find out something in the person’s bio or in a
book they’ve written, don’t ask the question.
2. Prepare questions in advance; but don’t feel stuck to
them. Allow the interview to go where it will. As you
listen, jot down questions that you hadn’t thought of.
3. Focus on the person you’re talking to, not your notes. If
you’ve never taken notes while having a conversation
(and an interview is a conversation), practice at home and
with friends. Ask for their feedback. Hint: A notebook
that flips at the top is easier because you don’t have to
make many movements to turn the page.
4. Don’t just note facts or comments; take note of tone of
voice and mannerisms. These will help you make the
person you interview and their topic more human.
5. Allow the interviewee to wander a little from the subject.
But don’t go so far a field that you lose sight of your
topic. Gently bring it back to the topic with something
like, “A moment ago, you mentioned … ” On the other
hand, listen. You may find something rich you didn’t
expect.
6. Record the interview, and always ask permission. Some

7. Susan K. Stewart
Practical Inspirations
www.practicalinspirations.com
susan@practicalinspirations.com
Copyright 2018
writers ask the interviewee to sign a permission form. I
ask permission on tape. It’s more natural. Explain why
you are recording and assure privacy. Most people forget
about the recorder once you start.
7. Jot down a key phrase, or the time into the interview, for
a quote you might want to use.
8. Allow the interviewee to read your final product for
accuracy.
9. Listen in casual conversations for leads to information.
Schedule an interview later to talk about what you
learned.
Resources
News & Numbers by Victor Cohn and Lewis Cope
Library Spot http://www.libraryspot.com/
Library Spot – Ask an Expert
http://www.libraryspot.com/askanexpert.htm
17 Questions to Ask When Researching for Your Novel by
Sarah Sundin
https://www.mounthermon.org/blog/writers/2017/02/17-
questions-to-ask-when-researching-for-your-novel/

8. Susan K. Stewart
Practical Inspirations
www.practicalinspirations.com
susan@practicalinspirations.com
Copyright 2018