Data & Research
Research faster with the seven search tips people forget
The fastest researchers are not typing magic prompts. They are narrowing the source surface quickly.
Good research starts by reducing the number of bad pages you have to read. These seven search habits make that reduction explicit.
1. Search exact phrases when names matter
Use quotation marks for exact titles, handles, organization names, and distinctive claims. Exact search is especially useful when a common name creates false positives.
2. Search the source type, not only the topic
Add words like syllabus, PDF, annual report, transcript, dataset, documentation, or policy. You will often skip summaries and land closer to the original evidence.
3. Use filetype searches
For academic, policy, and technical research, search with filetype:pdf, filetype:xls, or filetype:csv. Old but authoritative documents often surface this way.
4. Use site searches for authoritative domains
When you know the source family, search inside it. A query like site:edu "course title" or site:gov "data dictionary" cuts away a lot of low-value pages.
5. Check dates before you summarize
Record publish date, updated date, and the date the underlying event happened. Search snippets can be stale, and pages can change after indexing.
6. Keep evidence notes
For each source, write one line: what it proves, what it does not prove, and whether it is primary, secondary, or a clue. This prevents a weak lead from becoming a confident claim.
7. Save the query that worked
The query is part of the method. Saving it lets you rerun the search later and explain how you found the evidence.
For a system that stores the useful parts of this research, see the personal knowledge base guide.