Advanced online research for journalists - 1 day February 3, 2009

An intensive one-day course covering quick tips for slicker working and a range of other investigative techniques and strategies for taking your desk research to the next level.

This course is aimed at journalists who are looking to go further, faster online but is also ideal for policy analysts, researchers and those employed in market analysis.

Following on from the success of our six previous courses held in 2007 (read the review) and 2008 we are holding another one-day course on Wednesday 4 February 2009 in London W2 (near Paddington station). Places are strictly limited to 8 delegates. Please take a look at the testimonials below from previous delegates who attended this course.

Course tutor: Colin Meek

Dates: Wednesday 4 February, 2009
Time: 10.00-17.00
Venue: London W2 (near Paddington station).
Number of places: 8
Cost: £320 (+£48 VAT) including lunch

The internet is probably your most vital research tool. Are you tapping into its full potential?

Journalism.co.uk has worked for the past three years to craft this course to take journalists, researchers and policy analysts to a new level of confidence and efficiency by giving you:

* strategies for dealing with complex and detailed research;
* strategies to use when ordinary research techniques hit brick walls;
* extra tools to push your research further to deliver better and more focused material;
* confidence to carry out online research on sensitive issues; and,
* NEW: We have added a module on using the Semantic Web (Web 3.0)

It will cover key techniques for:

* using social networks and social bookmarking sites;
* using search engines and meta search tools more effectively;
* precision searching using advanced operators;
* finding people and finding out about people online;
* combining search techniques;
* investigative online research (including anonymous surfing);
* accessing the invisible web;
* searching past and monitoring future web content - effectively;
* using RSS feeds; and,
* sorting and storing research - efficiently.

The whole course is supported with comprehensive notes and worksheets detailing specific techniques covered.

About Colin Meek
Colin has worked as a journalist and policy researcher for nearly 17 years - for 10 of those as a full-time freelancer.

He has worked on dozens of in-depth projects for a range of clients including Which?, BMJ Knowledge, The Times, the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Journalism.co.uk, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, the Pharmaceutical Journal and many others.

In 2005 he completed a five-month research project on internet filtering for Intertek research and testing. In 2007 he also completed a four month research project on RFID technology and in 2006 completed a major policy development project for the RPSGB on the potential impact of physician assisted suicide on pharmacy and medicine.

Recently his work has ranged from an investigation into malpractice in the laser surgery industry to ground-breaking research on pre-hospital care and transfats in food.

Colin also acts as Consulting Editor to journalism.co.uk. He has been training journalists, policy analysts and researchers since 2005 for a range of clients.

For more information about Colin Meek and his training services, please visit researchskills.co.uk.

Book now
To book your place now and pay using debit/credit card, please visit: http://www.journalism.co.uk/36/45/

To book your place now and be invoiced for the amount, please visit: http://www.journalism.co.uk/36/44/

Testimonials

"This course provided a great insight." - Ben Goodlad. Janes Defence. 2008.

"Brilliant course, packed full with information, practical advice and tools." - Tara Evans. This is Money. 2008.

"This course has really broadened my mind on ways to use the internet. It was fascinating and hugely helpful." - Alexandra Culliford. European Service Network. May, 2008.

"Very useful - this was an amazing course." - Maggie Barry. Daily Mirror. March 2008.

"Very relaxed, informative and interesting. Would have liked a two or three day session." - Stephen Stewart. Daily Record. March 2008.

"The course has opened up a whole new world on the web that I didn't know existed." - Kevin Hayns. Caseworks. May, 2008.

"Excellent example of a well-planned, well-structured course giving me really valuable tools - a day well spent (and I paid for it myself!)." - Mike Hally. Freelance working for Radio 4. March, 2008.

"I've learned about tools I didn't even know existed and have learned new skills to help me get the best out of the ones I did. This is a great course!" - James Tallack. Which? July 2007.

"Very revealing in every sense. I'll see Google in a new light from now on." - Kenneth Band. Inside Information. July 2007.

"Very interesting and well presented. A valuable tool for serious internet journalism." - Simon Moon. Deputy Editor, This is Money. July 2007.

"Excellent - really relevant and useful. Best course I've done in ages. Will really use it and benefit from it." - Elaine Mullingani. Royal Pharmaceutical Society of GB. May 2007.

"Fascinating stuff, excellent advanced insight into searching the internet." - Adrian Lowery. News Editor, This is Money. May 2007.

"The course was a great introduction to all of the possible ways to use the net for research that I doubt most people will have tried." - Georgina Stanley. Legal Week. May 2007.

"I'm keen to get onto my next research project and start trying out these techniques and tips. Thanks for a great insight into a previously mystifying discipline." Laura. Greenpeace Climate Campaign. December 2005.

"I learnt a great deal from these sessions. I now know there is much more to online research than meets the eye." - Daniella Murphy. Royal Pharmaceutical Society of GB. May 2007.

"The day was styled around participants' needs." - Beth Allen. Royal Pharmaceutical Society of GB. May 2007.

"Excellent course, but maybe a little too much to take in!" - Sharon Maxwell Magnus. Journalism lecturer, University of Hertfordshire. May 2007.

"An excellent course, well constructed and paced, very clear course materials." - Eileen Neilson. Head of Policy Development, Royal Pharmaceutical Society of GB. May 2007.

Official Website: http://www.journalism.co.uk/36/43/98/