The next two steps in the Research Cycle dealt with techniques: Searching the Source and Copying or Recording the Information.

There are numerous ways to search a source, copy the source, and record the information found. Some of these will be introduced to you as we go along. Some were given to you in the Vital Records section previously. Several new techniques have been developed in the past couple of years to cover electronic or Internet research. Just how do you search information that keeps moving around and changing as if it were a new idea?

What have you already looked at in a different format? Is one format better for searching information than another? In many cases it is wise to use several renditions of the information to more readily find the clues you may be seeking, yet retain the original intent provided by the compiler or author.