Real World Research Archives

Real World Research Skills, Second Edition

The 2nd Edition of Peggy Garvin's Real World Research Skills was published today, July 30, 2009, and is now available at your local bookstore (special order), Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

This book compiles basic advice, techniques, reference information, and resources to help working professionals find accurate information quickly. It is written particularly for those whose work involves tapping into federal government information. The book began as a set of materials for TheCapitol.Net’s seminar, "Research Tools and Techniques: Refining Your Online and Offline Searches." It is designed to be used as a complement to that seminar or independently as a desk reference.
The first and second chapters cover practical principles of research and online searching, including the general search engines. These sections include checklists and advice that are applicable to many different research tasks and many different databases and search engines.

The third, fourth, and fifth chapters present resources for federal legislative, judicial, and executive branch research.

The sixth chapter covers starting points for state and international research on the web.

The final chapter, “Experts and Insiders,” has tips for tapping into that vital Washington information resource: people.

In our knowledge economy, more and more people—with a wide range of education and experience—are moving into jobs that require some information-gathering skills. The research training provided at many schools lays a foundation, but often does not prepare us for the varied demands of the working world.

This book can help anyone involved in government research by increasing their information literacy, improving their research effectiveness and efficiency.

For a complete Table of Contents and secure online ordering, see the book's web page

July 30, 2009 10:27 AM Link Comments (0)

Capitol Hill Workshop: Politics, Policy, and Process

Capitol Hill Workshop: Politics, Policy, and Process

Congressional decision-making is driven by politics, policy and process. In this engaging workshop, Washington-based experts discuss these 3 P's and help you understand the complete policy-making process.

This intensive 3-day course is held in Washington, DC.

Attend a congressional hearing and see the process in action. Materials include the Early Edition of the Congressional Directory and the Training Edition of the award-winning Congressional Deskbook. This course is designed for GS-12 and above, military officers, supervisory personnel, and Leadership Development participants.

February 11-13, 2009
8:30 am to 4:00 pm all three days
More information here

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January 18, 2009 12:47 PM Link Comments (0)

Practical Web Research in a Nutshell

Practical Web Research in a Nutshell

A Telephone Seminar

Learn how to search more efficiently and effectively in this course designed for professionals who want practical techniques for conducting Web research on the job. In this course, you gain an overview of:

How search engines work, and how to make them work for you
Advanced, but easy, search techniques
How to use the best of the free websites for legislative, legal, regulatory, factual, state, and international information
What to do when you do not know where to start
What you will not find on the Internet

Open Q&A with the faculty included: Peggy Garvin.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008
2 pm ET/1 pm CT/12 noon MT/11 am PT
More information here

Practical Web Research in a Nutshell
Capitol Learning Audio Course
Includes seminar materials.
Audio Course on CD: $47 plus shipping and handling

July 21, 2008 04:17 PM Link Comments (0)

How to Research and Compile Legislative Histories: Searching for Legislative Intent

How to Research and Compile Legislative Histories: Searching for Legislative Intent

This full-day course in Washington, DC, explores effective, professional methods for locating and compiling legislative histories of federal laws.

Our experienced, up-to-date, and independent faculty demonstrate and discuss:

Various document types necessary to research and compile legislative histories including enacted laws, bills and resolutions, floor debates and committee reports with a focus on federal (not state) legislative history research methodologies
The fastest ways to find and use print and online documents
Professional secrets and tips

Also see our web page, "Legislative History Reference and Research Tools."

Friday, June 27, 2008
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
More information here

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June 21, 2008 09:37 AM Link Comments (0)

Research Skills for the Real World: Going Beyond Google

Research Skills for the Real World: Going Beyond Google

This 1-day course in Washington, DC, helps anyone responsible for research at any Washington-area organization, whether an agency, association, business, elected official or nonprofit. It is designed for anyone who wants to improve their research skills.

Are you among the 80 percent who haven’t received research skills training? Our faculty offer a minimum of 10 years' experience in performing research in Washington.

You'll gain:

An overview of online searching, telephone and email research
A review of legislative, judicial, regulatory, factual and international research
A review of public and private information sources

Course materials include your personal copy of Real World Research Skills by Peggy Garvin.