December 14, 2006, Vol 1, Issue 4

Hi and thanks for once again opening our email. We have more neato stuff to pass along and then we’ll move along. But don’t worry, we’ll be back every two weeks – sending you tidbits that we hope will make you go hmmmm….

And if you’re feeling inspired, don’t forget to submit something to “Stump the Researcher!” It gives you a chance for some gratis research!

Hi, I’m Julie, your buzz director.

Oh, wait. That was a cruise director. But you get the point. Everyone is trying to figure out how to take advantage of the social networking tools. One way that we think is way fun: Widgets.

A widget is a little piece of content or a tool provided by a third party that you can place on your website or blog. And they’re popping up all over.

Check out some of these widgets and let your imagination run wild. I know that one of our partners can’t seem to stop putting widgets on her blog. It may seem just for fun, but in reality it’s fodder for brilliance. Okay, maybe not brilliance…. Start here…

* Yahoo Widgets/
* Google Gadgets
* Widgetbox

We love demographics. Don’t you?

Sure, we all know how to pull data…reams and reams of data. But seeing is believing and we’re confident you’ll believe in the value of the U.S. demographic trends with eye-catching graphics and exportable trend data at CensusScope courtesy of the Social Science Data Analysis Network (SSDAN) at the University of Michigan. (Go Wolverines)
Curious?
Have you ever wondered if there’s more ways to skin a cat, or in this case, find what you’re looking for? If you’re ready to move beyond your research comfort zone, give us a shout. We can either point you to some new and exciting pathways for finding what you need or, better yet, we can do the research for you.

It’s that easy. And it leaves you time for important things like ordering holiday gifts online. Just kidding, we know you’d never shop at the office.

Think of us as your research elves, only without the pointy shoes.

Send your request here.

Stump the Researchers.

Do you have a tough research question? And no budget? It happens to the best of us. If you aren’t in a screaming rush, then submit your question here. We’ll select the most interesting question and answer it in the next issue. Who says you can’t get something for nothing? (You just can’t get it tomorrow!)
Go ahead. Give it your best shot.

This issue’s Stump…

A reader asks: It’s that time of year again. I HATE HOLIDAY SHOPPING! How can I know I’m getting a good price on gifts? I was thinking about using my phone to surf the web while I’m shopping in stores, but that seems kind of cumbersome! Help?

Okay. Here we go…
Click here for the answer. It’ll just take a minute.

How can we be of service? We want to be your research resource. Talk to you again in two weeks!

In the meantime, don’t let the holiday rush drive you nuts and take comfort in knowing that you’re on our “nice” list.

Until we meet again,