How to Research

It never occurred to me that this isn't common knowledge until I've had friends and family genuinely surprised that I found something almost instantly that they haven't been able to find after a bunch of fruitless searching. It's not even a generational issue since my nephews and my dad are just as likely to be the ones coming to me about something. I'll suss this one out for you in list form, since apparently, people like lists. (Psh, I love lists. I think in lists, so my attempts to sound excluded are LIES.)

• One word: Boolean

  Why is this such a big deal? Well, it's basically the language of search engines. While voice services where you scream at Google/Siri/Alexa have come a long way in making your questions more convenient to ask, sometimes your most stubborn curiosities just need a basic knowledge of the logic of a search. 
  
  
  In actuality, efficiency is about eliminating the whole question. Stick to the most exact and simple form of it. You don't need 'where I can buy x brand of Phillips-head screwdriver?' 'Buy screwdrivers' is usually a good place to start. Why not be specific? Well, often, merchant sites have their own hierarchy for searching specific items and really, it's best to enter from the home page to type specifics or narrow it down with their search trees. In the event that a better or newer model of something exists, you'll have a better chance of seeing the best possibilities for your needs. What if it's a model they don't make anymore? I'll assume you can't remember what store it came from when it was. In that case, you're probably going to do best with being more specific: 'ebay x brand Philips-head screwdriver'. And if you're one of those people who wants to be a pain in the ass and insist finding it in a physical store rather than a convenient auction/online outlet, then you're probably still going to start your search with 'craigslist' or some other classified posting.
  
  
  I'm sidetracking just a bit, but basics first. Boolean search strings aren't just about what you DO want, but you can also specify what you DON'T. Let's say you type in 'elflocks' and you get an overload of 'dreadlocks' (they're different and it's not just an ethnicity thing). A Boolean search string will say 'elflocks AND NOT dreadlocks' to eliminate the lumped in searches and narrow it down. If you want EXACTLY what you typed, through some quotations on that part. 'buy "The Last Unicorn" movie' is one example.
  
  
  For more on Boolean, I'll link you to your options. This could really mean a world of difference in finding exactly what you're after.
  
  
  Basic Boolean Search Operators
  
  

   Gimme a Rabbit Hole!

  Sometimes you know you need something-- inspiration, an abstract idea-- but have no actual idea where you can produce results. It's common knowledge that you can use sites like YouTube or even social media to drum up some random, but the best way you can get some help is to make sure you're making the most of those trackers/cookies/stalking capabilities that come with those free accounts. Liking posts you're genuinely interested in, or videos or just building a search history rather than always clearing it-- each of these triggers algorithms that get to know what you like. This is part of the reason Google connects your personal account to Chrome for personalized bookmarks and histories. Even if multiple people use the same computer, signing in (and out!) of your account keeps track of your interests and will suggest or lead you to your general interests. My homepage on Google always has a list of articles concerning video games, books-- things I've looked for in general that start to become more indicative of my interests as I use these services. It's not just about showing your love to your friends and favorite artists-- it also helps the internet and specific sites create an environment tailored to how you use it.
  
  

  Valuable SubSearches

  You have Google and Bing and, I don't know, 15+ different search engines you can make your bitch on the most stubborn searches, but sometimes your most valuable engines aren't going to be the ones with the biggest databases but the smartest. That's where your bookmarks become a huge asset to your searches. If you're a bookmark junkie, use the Toolbar feature to throw your top folders or sites for one click access. If you're big on travel, then labeling a folder TRAVEL and throwing in sites like Travelocity, PriceLine, Expedia, and so on, will help you make quick comparison leaps on the best deals. And yes, it's often necessary to use all of them, even though many of them share databases. The reason they exist separately is because they do secure 'exclusives' and your trip could be the lucky niche with the amazing deal. When my dad wants to get a good deal, he knows I can nail it down faster because I keep my sub-sites in order.
  
  
  Sometimes you're trying to find a word when you can't even think of the synonym for the word you can't think of.  In this case, your 'sub' might resort to social media. Specialized groups for your particular stumper are one great niche, but you can also use broader springboards like Quora. Sometimes people will ask you the right questions to lead you into your specifics.
  
  

  Familiarity

  Experience is going to be where you'll build success in what you need for your research. Sometimes you're just tired, well outside of your most productive self, and just need to completely step away. I always suggest to writers to always keep a notepad or your phone/devices on hand to jot down even a word or two. It might not be convenient to actually do the search when you finally think of it, but most scenarios do allow for a little word entry until you can get to it. Of course, I've turned people into my personal dictation machines before. "Ooo, poisonous plants, poisonous plants-- don't forget that while I look for a pen!" Because yeah, sometimes your phone is charging in the back room or you left your notepad on the bathroom sink and you have to borrow the nearest brain for a moment.
  
  
  
  
  Really, most writers are pretty hip to all of this, but assuming as much is how efficiency can get lost in time. Boolean search strings are one such thing I tend to surprise people with. In fact, modern conveniences can end up dumbing down the mastery part of a task. It's great to be a jack of all trades in modern times, but once you start to narrow down aspects of what you want in life, sometimes you need to know what you didn't know to look for. Research is one of those areas where there's only so far you can fake it before the devil comes out. You can take some artistic liberties with some genres (fantasy, especially) but you still need to explain your logic. Nonfiction will be less forgiving, but even traditional publishers may expect updates to your nonfiction work as information changes or inconsistencies are spotted. You don't want to overhaul your fiction as much because it can create confusion when you dismantle the facts between editions.
  
  
  Hopefully, this will lead you all to more fruitful searches and inspirational distractions! Happy hunting!