If you feel overwhelmed by researching an article before writing, there’s good news. Searching for sites on the Internet often leads to wrong advice. Using these tips helps you receive accurate information produced by well-known fact-checking sources.

1. Enter .org and .edu in your Google searches. When having an assignment that needs research, consider entering these endings after your keywords. Google pulls up a list of relevant websites and display these at the top. You can also use the Google Advanced search that narrows your focus on a topic.
2. Use Google Scholar. Using this more advanced Google search lets you find resources published by colleges and universities. Research performed by well-known publications displays information you might need for the article you are writing.
3. Sign up for HARO. This site, which is short for “Help a Reporter Out,” gives leads for experts. Quotes and interviews from an expert save reporters and article writers from having to track down leads for an article. Instead, using this online site, you receive the quotes and information you need, and the expert gets free publicity in return. Conducting interviews over the telephone is an easy way to get the right information for your article.
4. Scan encyclopedias. Buying a set of encyclopedias lets you have data readily available. You can easily reach for one to find out the population for Burma, if needed. Using facts in your article makes it more credible. You can quote facts from an encyclopedia without having to give a reference because it is common knowledge.
5. Look for reputable websites. When you perform research over the Internet, so many sites look like they have authority. However, a site like Wikipedia has many contributors write for them without crosschecking facts. Looking for websites like .org means you also have to check who is reporting the information. If the site links with many well-known organizational literature and used as an information site, it should be safe content to quote in your article. However, if the site has one person contributing to it with the intent to make money, the site may not fall under the suitable site to use in research.
6. Buy a membership to Lexis Nexis. This database, and several others, has many article references. You can search through legal databases and receive accurate information to use in your articles. Having this powerful database may be all you ever need, depending on the subject.
7. Keep books nearby. Buying the latest diet and health book can give you a wealth of information. Quoting from the book makes your article look more authoritative. If you need to write about the latest health trend, look to your books for ideas. You can easily find information and build upon it for an article directed to any niche area.
8. Find statistics easily in search engines. With so many websites online today, it is often hard to find a decent statistics page. If you have a specific keyword or category you have to research, type “statistics” behind it in Google. You will likely bring up a few that will pay off. Make sure to check the website for accuracy, depending on the creator of the content. Once you come across decent statistic websites, add them to your bookmarks for later use.
9. Make a file of clippings. If you specialize in a certain niche, start collecting information to use in your research. Creating a file box with clippings for quotations and statistics or ideas is useful for all writers. You can easily organize and refer to them when you need to use them in an article.
10. Organize your business cards. Having contacts at your reach gives you information when you need a quote. As an article writer or journalist, organizing contacts by business instead of last name is more useful. You can easily find the expert you need to contact.
11. Use publications. At High Beam, you can find many recognized publications in one place. Instead of buying subscriptions for every magazine in your specialization, you can have them all within reach. Subscription to High Beam includes many newspapers and magazines with articles, book reviews and journals. Their subscription does not charge a per article fee.