Research That Starts With Understanding Your Goals
A Thoughtful Process From Start to Finish
We’ll discuss your goals, define the scope, and determine the best approach before any research begins.
How We'll Work Together
Step 1: Reach Out
Tell me what you’re looking for. It helps to know whether your question is about a specific topic, area, or geography, but you never need to explain why you’re asking. Every question is treated the same way: without judgment and without bias.
Step 2: The Discovery Call
This is a scoping conversation. We’ll talk through:
- What you’re trying to find out, and what you’ve already looked into
- Whether the topic and geography are within reach of the resources I have access to
- How fast you need an answer, whether it’s a quick turnaround or ongoing tracking over weeks or months
- Whether you want updates as I find things, or everything delivered together at the end
If it turns out I’m not the right fit for your question, I’ll tell you that directly, and point you toward someone who is.
Step 3: Estimate and Agreement
After the discovery call, you’ll receive an estimate based on the scope, type, and timeline of the project. Once we agree, we’ll put the work in writing before research begins. See the Pricing page for more on how this works..
Step 4: Research & Communication
Once we’re underway, you’ll hear from me by email or phone, whichever is easier for you. If you’d like ongoing updates, I’ll send findings as I go, with descriptions along the way. If you’d rather wait and see everything at once, that works too. Either way, I don’t let a project go quiet.
And if I hit a point where I’m not sure the direction is right, I won’t keep working in the wrong direction, I’ll check in first.
Step 5: Delivery & Follow-Up
When I’ve found what I can, or confirmed that something doesn’t exist, I’ll deliver everything along with the methodology behind it: what I searched, where, and why. And once the project is wrapped up, feel free to reach out again if follow-up questions come up. I hope you find the information useful, and I’ll say so every time.
What You'll Receive
Every deliverable is shaped around what actually helps you, but a few things come standard with every project:
The findings
Organized, sourced, and delivered in the format we agreed on, whether that’s a quick summary, a documented set of findings, or ongoing updates.
The methodology
The search terms I used, the databases and sources I consulted, and why I trusted the sources I did.
Honest limitations
Clear caveats when a source deserves them, and a straight answer when the information simply doesn’t exist.
You Control the Communication
Some clients like hearing from me as findings come in; it lets them react, redirect, and feel part of the process. Others prefer one complete delivery at the end. At the start of every project, I’ll ask how often you want to hear from me, and that’s the rhythm we’ll keep. Either way, you’ll never have to wonder what’s happening with your project.
Let's Talk About Your Research Question
Whether you’re looking for information, verification, or access to specialized resources, we’ll determine the best approach together.