February 2004
RESEARCH TIPS & POINTERS
• Read
the disclaimers! (ie., "The stationary monitors
that track certain pollutants in the air do not give an
accurate picture of how much of that contaminant is in the
immediate vicinity" or "This database was last
updated in July 1998," etc.) Often listed under headings
like "About this XX," or "Advanced Search
Tips." These help you understand discrepancies in data
among databases, methodology, etc. The crafters of the database
are seldom entirely objective… look out for big and
small factors that may contribute to the underestimation
(or overestimation) of data!
• Look
at the data in different formats, and tweak the search parameters.
If you're preparing a report about industrial siting patterns,
for example, you may want to compare the number of facilities
to population density or demographics rather than square
miles in your geographic level that may include tons of
unpopulated acreage.
• Find and get to know your
local resources! (see section on local resources)
Develop a working relationship with staff, and ask what
databases do they rely on, and for what purposes? Be polite,
but persistent, always get the name of the person you talk
to, and keep a personal log in case you need to follow up
later.
