JONATHAN GRIX is Senior Lecturer in Political Studies in the Department of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Birmingham, UK. He has published widely on the research process, including Demystifying the Research Process (2001), Research Methodologies in Contemporary German Studies (editor) (2002) and The Foundations of Research (2004).

GERALD WATKINS is a Subject Advisor in Library Services at the University of Birmingham, UK. He has taught information skills to undergraduates and taught research postgraduates, as well as more specific sessions on official publications, statistical sources and reference management software for information services at the University of Birmingham.