As previously noted, research will help determine what's been previously covered and allow you to fill in the gaps. You should know as much about your subject as possible before you ever interview someone. This will give you the background needed not only for the interview, but also for the article when it's time to write.

   The best way to begin research involves reading what's been written previously in your publication's morgue. This gives you an idea of how much attention the subject or source has already received. Plus, sources prefer not having to waste time answering the same old questions again and again (that being said, it's best to ask an expert to simplify things for you so it's easier to explain to the masses).  

Online Resources

   You can use the Internet to find some background information. However, time constraints won't allow you to read each and every page available on the Web. In addition, you can run into misinformation as easy as good info on the Web. So be smart and use some of Sree's Tips.

   Realize different search engines will bring up different results. Typically, I prefer Google and Dogpile.

   You can also use Lexis-Nexis to find events appearing in major media since 1980, though some publications now only list their materials within the prior six months; otherwise, you must pay for the material. Other research databases can be found through college libraries:

Operators

   Use Boolean, proximity and adjacency operators to broaden and narrow your search. This list from the UAM Library Web site gives some helpful hints that can be tried with any research database.

Sunshine Laws

   Congress passed the federal Freedom of Information Act of 1966, written with the intent that government would disclose information whenever possible and only withhold information when necessary. Amendments in 1975 gave the federal courts power to review classified documents and put a time limit on agency responses. The Electronic Freedom of Information Act (E-FOIA, 1996) requires agencies to post frequently requested documents on their Web sites.

   The FOIA applies to all government agencies, independent regulatory agencies (e.g. FCC), presidential commissions and records that can be copied (e.g. e-mails). You can easily find the principal FOIA contacts at most Federal Agencies.

   The FOIA doesn't apply to everything, e.g. you cannot get documents in the possession of the president and his advisers, the federal judicial system or Congress, its committees and its agencies such as the Library of Congress. But you can get information directly from those sources by attending open governmental meetings or by making requests for information. Web sites like that of the U.S. Department of Justice suggest browsing before submitting FOIA requests as About DOJ, Press Room, Publications & Documents and Reading Rooms contain information already available to the public.

   FOIA also doesn't apply to federal government subcontractors like Blackwater since Forsham v. Harris (1980) rule it applies only to documents created or obtained by a federal agency. In addition, the law carries nine exemptions. 

   A couple of generations later, anyone can now access governmental records in the United States if they want to pay the money to do so via GovSearchRecords.com and Search Systems. But why pay when you can get things for FREE? Convenience and time.

Access to State Records

   All 50 states have open records laws, which can typically can be found through the state's press association, e.g. the Arkansas Press Association. Arkansas has one of the nation's broadest Sunshine Laws, as noted in the FOI handbook. Typically, public records can be found at the local or state level including the following:

• Campaign finances - Candidates must submit regular reports to local and state election boards listing supporters and contribution amounts.
• Corporate records - While private companies without publicly traded stock don't have to make much information public, you can find business incorporation documents showing officers, company purpose and holdings through the secretary of state.
• Court records - Typically found in the County Courthouse, criminal and civil court documents and dispositions can increasing be found online.
• Government finances - Learn everything a government spends through annual budgets and audit information.
• Historical materials - The local public library or city or county museum often keeps historical documents stretching back before the city or county incorporated its government.
• Inspections - The local health department keeps inspection reports for restaurants and local food stores.
• Law enforcement - Police often keep a daily log of arrests or even copies of police reports for each case. You most often get these by going to the police department and checking the incident reports for a specific time period.
• Licenses - Available for everything from selling liquor to operating in-home beauty salons and day care services.
• Meeting minutes - Often online, the minutes or public transcripts describe what occurred in a public meeting.
• Permits - Most building projects, parades and public events require a permit, which ca be found at the local municipal building or the police department.
• Property and real estate - Cities and counties keep information on each parcel of land or property, showing ownership history, value, location on map, last selling price, etc.
• Resident information - Local officials keep birth, death, marriage and divorce records to report to the state. You can find these documents at the county health department or courthouse, and the state produces a vital records document each year. Also, the county keeps wills, which show financial information.

Physical Resources

   Some of the best information you can find will not be available online, but will come in the form of letters, memos and other documents not yet distributed on the Internet. Beat reporters usually get their juiciest info from public records. In addition to the previously mentioned materials, you'll want to visit the following to gather additional information:

• Trade publications - these business-to-business publications typically report first on topics that affect their industries, e.g. Broadcasting & Cable, Journal of Light Construction. Just remember, these may carry a bias. Use these sources for initial info, but follow them up with your own interviews and fact-checking
• Community groups - Industry groups, business associations, consumer groups, community groups, unions and nonprofit watchdog groups do research. They provide reporters with story ideas, reports on trends and perspectives on the impact of government decisions on their industry or group. Media often receive press releases from these groups. Just remember, these may carry a bias and are distributed to gain media attention.
• Academic sources - Scholars and scientists connected to universities, medical schools and graduate schools conduct research as part of their job and are supported through their jobs or through governmental grants. Their research typically appears in peer-reviewed journals. Remember, they may carry a bias depending on who's funding the research.
• Other resources - access papers and published stories through Academic Search Ebsco, ERIC, Medline or Web of Science. Typically, you'll need to visit a library that subscribes to these services (and others) to get to this information.

A lot of information can be found through the Internet as governmental agencies try to save money. The Internet supplements -- but doesn't replace -- digging through public records. Remember anyone can create a Web site, which can create problems:

• You have to go through a lot of sites, so limit your searches to be more specific.
• Information may not be accurate or up-to-date. Check for copyright info and the "last updated" date.
• Web sites may exist today but not tomorrow. Look to see how long it's been operating.
• Web sites may be biased, depending on the source.
• Online information may only be available to subscribers, particularly for archived materials.
• Research and writing on Web sites may be poor or incomplete.
• Search engines miss Web pages not linked to another Web page or registered with a search engine.

To help make sure you've found credible information, indentify the Web page type and then evaluate it based on authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency and coverage. The following are typically considered trustworthy, but may have problems:

• .gov - Governmental sites can change depending on politics, e.g. global climate change.
• .edu - Educational sites may be from students or contain information from a class project.
• .org - Organizational site usually have a political agenda. Use with caution and be sure to attribute the info.
• .com, .name, .net - The least credible level includes personal/vanity/obsession/hobby sites. Research the author of the site and remember just because it's digital doesn't mean it's true.

Blogs can be helpful, especially as more reporters provide news through blogs. But while it may add to the beat coverage or provide ideas for columns, be careful to verify the accuracy and authenticity of the writer.

Computer Assisted Reporting (CAR) analyzes databases. Computers allow you to cross-reference materials, e.g. drivers in school-bus accidents w/ lists of convicted criminals. You can use FOIA to access the databases. Of course, you'll need to know a little math to help.