How do you research a topic for Google Answers?

Please comment. I appreciate a variety of answers.

For example, I follow a process something like this:
1. search on Google
2. select results to open in tabs
3. process tabs
     3. a. close irrelevant/uninteresting tabs
     3. b. explore relevant tabs for articles
4. process relevant articles
     4. a. copy relevant passages into text editor
     4. b. note citation next to copied passages
     4. c. write down any additional notes about the article
(5.) at any time during process, i write irrelevant thoughts in a log

Disadvantages:
- oftentimes I get very side-tracked.
- usually I get locked into just using google and neglect other
electronic and non-electronic resources

I'm specifically looking for very productive researchers who can:
1) describe their research process
2) give relevant tips regarding improvement in the research process

After I've read a question, the very first step in my researching
process is this: I estimate the amount of time that will probably be
required to prepare a good answer, and decide whether the fee offered
is adequate to the task. With all due respect, I believe the price
you've set on this question to be extremely low. At your current
price, the person who answers your question will receive $1.50, which
would justify perhaps five or ten minutes of a Researcher's time. I
sincerely doubt that a thoughtful and comprehensive answer to this
question can be made in less than an hour.