Phone Research Articles

Mon, 08/04/2008 - 08:17 — Risa Sacks

Ok - I know this reply is several years late. In doing a Cuil search, I came across the very kind review by Daniel of a Searcher article I wrote on phone research (I've included that post below). Even years late, his review totally made my day - so many thanks, Daniel.

I just wanted to let anyone interested know that a copy of the article is available for free on my website www.risasacks.com. If it's useful to you - help yourself. There is also a copy of the follow-up, sequel article, "The Search Goes On." Finally, having had an article and a sequel, we had, of course, to write the 'prequel' - 'Before You Pick up the Phone" will be in the September issue of Searcher, and will be available on my website in about three months. If any of these are useful to you, please feel free to download them and pass them on. (and Daniel, I'd love to hear how you found the unlisted number of the Canadian MP).

Excellent article in Searcher about using the phone
Sat, 03/26/2005 - 01:08 — Daniel

The March 2005 (v.13, no.3) print issue of Searcher Magazine has this good article:

Anatomy of a Phone Search: Primary Research Using the Original "Online"
By Risa Sacks, p. 42.

The article is a great primer on picking up the phone to do primary research. Ms. Sacks discusses how much personal information to disclose to people you are interviewing, and how to use referrals from one person to gain entree with another potential source of information.

What makes this article extra special in my eyes is the use of an actual case study - it's like we're a fly on the wall as she talks to the various officials, reporters, and yes, librarians who might know what she needs to know.

Currently the article only appears in the print edition of Searcher, but it may become available on a pay per view basis at the Searcher web site.

I've done this sort of primary research in the past, but nervously. Ms. Sacks' article is confidence building for shy folk like me.

E-mail, that's another matter. Remind me to tell you the story of how I found the unlisted home number of a retired Canadian MP.