How to Gather Information for a Report
Whether you are a student or a working professional, report writing is an important skill to master. While the types of reports you may have to write vary by field or trade, information gathering is always an important step in the report writing process. The Internet offers users access to a variety of information resources, as do most traditional libraries. In today's world, the sheer volume of information available about most topics can pose a problem to researchers.
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Instructions
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Preliminary Work
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Identify the focus of your report before you gather information.
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Select a topic that it is not too broad. This will make it easier to find specific information about your topic and help you avoid wasting time wading through general information that may not be relevant to your report. For example, World War II is a broad topic; The Battle of the Bulge (which happened in WWII) will be a smaller topic to research in this genre.
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Choose a topic that is not too narrow or obscure so that you will be able to find information about it. For instance, For instance, it may be difficult to find information about Daniel Tompkins, the relatively obscure sixth vice president of the United States.
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Identify potential sources of relevant information to narrow the scope of your search. For example, "The Journal of Environmental Law" and other environmental law journals would be a good place to start a search for information about court cases addressing the issue of mountaintop removal coal mining.
Using the Internet to Collect Information
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Search for sources of information on a free search engine such as Google. Search engines are an excellent way to identify relevant sources of information. Many will allow you to focus on specific categories of information, such as from business, journalistic or scholarly sources.
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Tailor your search terms to produce results. Use search terms that are not overly broad to avoid unrelated information. For a report on local and state government efforts to address the problem of climate change, use the search terms "state climate change" rather than "climate change."
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Consider using subscription-based online research services such as Lexis-Nexis or Business Source Premier. Many businesses subscribe to these types of information databases, as do many colleges, universities, and local libraries. These services allow users to easily identify and access reputable sources of information.
Using the Library to Find Information
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Go online and locate local library locations. Most communities have public libraries that can be used by the public free of charge. If you live in a town with a small library, consider traveling to a larger library in a nearby city. Many colleges and universities also allow the public to visit their libraries free of charge. Generally speaking, academic libraries and libraries located in large municipalities will contain more in terms of information resources than their smaller, often underfunded peers. They are also more likely to offer researchers access to sources that offer up-to-date information, saving you time wading through long aisles of decade's old books with yellowing pages.
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Determine whether your target library offers an online search engine. Many libraries offer users the ability to search for books and other sources of information online. You may also be able to reserve content, meaning that librarians will have it ready for you when you visit the library in person. These online services can save you the trouble of spending too much time tracking down information at the library.
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Ask about inter-library loan options if your local library does not have what you are looking for. Many libraries are part of inter-library networks that exchange content on a regular basis. That means you can access information held at other libraries for free.
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Pick only sources of information specific to your topic. While a giant pile of books may look impressive in the check-out line, most researchers don't have the time to wade through several thousand pages of loosely related content. When writing a report on the history of the American automobile industry, for instance, avoid general history books that discuss the history of the U.S. in broader terms. A title such as "The Story of the Automobile: Its History and Development 1760 to 1917" would be an excellent choice.
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Remember that books, journals, magazines and newspapers remain a valuable source of information, even in the digital age.
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When selecting books, keep in mind you may not have to read the entire volume. Often information relevant to your report can be found in a specific chapter or by using the index located at the end of most books.
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Use bibliographies or works cited sections found at the end of books or articles to identify other sources of information relevant to your report.
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Consult with the librarians at your local library. They are trained professionals who help people track down all sorts of information every day.
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Tips & Warnings
Stay true to your original focus when doing research. Some related topic may strike you as interesting, but if it is not directly related to your report save it for another day.
Avoid plagiarism. Keeping track of your sources as you take notes can help you accurately cite sources when you write up your report.
