Dear Ali,

The tools have wider range. However, let me start with your time. Time commitment is by far the most important tool for effective research. The availability of original research materials are equally inestimable. Engaging peers for suggestions and opinion also goes a long way. The originality of technique is of no doubt very necessary.

I can agree on the importance of time management. You're going to need to do three drafts of the thing to get it well polished.

I learnt over the years to start with a spreadsheet. Title. Aims. Core questions. Main section titled. Possible conclusions?

Fill in each section with short entries. Find the links between the different sections. Redo your spreadsheet. Start paper.

When you lose the plot, find out why! Is it easy to rectify, carry on. Is it a fundamental problem? Rethink needed, and time's running out! Don't panic. Think it through.

I was never one for discussions with colleagues. They shouldn't have a better understanding than you of your subject.

Christopher NOCK

Like Christopher Nock I consider a spreadsheet the most important way to prepare a report. It is all about structure. As soon as you get structure right, filling in the data and turning it into text won't be that difficult. Also keep in mind to follow a certain structure and number of subchapters within each chapter. Also size of chapters and subchapters should be comparable.

Also following a plot is key. Think of a good storyline. You might want to start with a certain case that illuminates the issue at hand very well. People love stories. They keep them interested and what you are trying to tell is easily understood.

As for computer programms I found desktop-based search-engines like Copernic Desktop Search very useful. I have the habit of stuffing my computer with a lot of notes on my core topics and research-material from current projects too. When I finally sit down to write it all up I sometimes got an example or text im mind to refer to and then have to start looking for it. Having to go the long way to do it easily puts you out of flow. Using Copernic really helps to get to the exact data I am looking for. Well, in my case its usually a personnel file of some state administration or an old lawsuit, where I remember the name of the judge dealing with the case, but fail to remember the name of the attorney or the accused.

Stephan A. Glienke