WHERE TO FIND THE INFORMATION
Your first port of call should be the person or organization that requested the report — ask to see relevant documents and files. Then approach key personnel, interview them and ask them for people you can contact.
Industry or professional groups associated with your topic will usually have documents you can use, as will relevant government departments.
The Library
Visit your local library — you’ll always find excellent background information for your subject, and the librarians will be able to direct you to up-to-date resources.
Check out the catalogs in the library of your choice — as well as telling you where the book is on the shelves, a catalog can also tell you whether it's worth the effort of finding it. If your topic is communication and a reference book was published in 1950, it's probably not going to be of much use since most of its findings will be out of date.
When you use a catalog, look for specific headings, not general ones — this will save time.
Look for the Bibliographies in the Reference section of the library — these will tell you what other books are available.
Don't forget specialist journals and magazines on your topic — libraries will also have a catalog of these.
The Internet
The Internet has made it incredibly easy to find information on everything, and you can start your search at the Internet Public Library.
Bartleby has a collection of references online.
Use any of the major search engines, such as Google or Yahoo to find specific details. You’ll get more relevant results if you enter a longer phrase, rather than just a couple of words. So try, “effects of child care facilities on employee morale,” not just, “employee morale” or "child care facilities."