ReconnaSense

Can’t I find all the information I need for free using Google?

admin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:23:46 +0000

No. Although Google is an extraordinary product,and does a remarkably good job of finding web sites responsive to the queries submitted to it, it is by no means a knowledge dispenser or even a fact gatherer. Sometimes the requisite information is simply not available on the Internet, sometimes it is buried in a wealth of related data, and sometimes relevant data is retrieved but has to be analyzed to be meaningful. That is why we subscribe to thousands of databases, many accessible only to professionals, and make use of the so-called “deep web,” among other resources.

What are subscription or pay-for-search databases?

admin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:23:09 +0000

An even more important class of information than is available through the web sites Google tracks is available only through subscription to databases, and many of these databases are prohibitively expensive. ReconnaSense subscribes to such powerful and inclusive database aggregators as Lexis, Westlaw, Bloomberg, Thompson, Factiva, Dow Jones, S&P, CourtLink, ChoicePoint, ProQuest, ImageINS, Investext, Zephyr, and EBSCO, to name a fraction of them. Many businesses and most individuals find it uneconomical to subscribe to these resources, and thus outsource their research and analysis needs to companies that routinely use them.

What is the “deep web” and what is “Web 2.0″?

admin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:22:35 +0000

In addition to subscription databases, there are thousands of free databases that are not scanned or “crawled” by Google’s engines. Many of these databases, part of the so-called “deep web,” must be queried to produce results. Governmental agencies, academic institutions and departments, non-profits, NGOs, and some corporations have established and maintain these databases. At ReconnaSense, we have directories of such databases and subscribe to services that bring their existence to our attention. Moreover, many of these databases have sophisticated search interfaces that can be dauntingly complicated to the novice, but which we have long experience in using. The term “Web 2.0″ was coined in 2004 to refer to what has been thought of as the second generation of websites and software that enable and promote the sharing of information through collaboration, social-networking, wikis, blogs, and similar technologies and communities. Whereas the first generation of web sites tended to be static information disseminators on a one-to-many model, Web 2.0 applications allow many-to-many communication. Frequently the most recent data and information can only be found on Web 2.0, and it is therefore an invaluable tool for researchers.

Does ReconnaSense rely only on databases to perform its research?

admin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:22:02 +0000

No. Although electronic databases contain universes of data, there are still storehouses of information not contained in them. Libraries, archives, and primary research must supplement these databases when they are not sufficient.

Can’t anyone do this kind of research?

admin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:21:12 +0000

No. After years of experience, we know that the kind of specialized research and analysis services we provide cannot be adequately conducted by novices. Not only does the research analyst need to have the experience with and understanding of the thousands of sources available, how to access them and extract just the relevant information, that professional must also have the patience and persistence to continue hunting down all the required information, even after seeming to have exhausted the resources. Knowing how to continually refine and reformulate searches is an art onto itself. This dogged persistence must be wedded to the ability to sift through, potentially, thousands of irrelevant data points, and sort out the tangentially from the fully relevant bits of information. The stamina to sort must be matched with the intellectual understanding and expressive clarity to organize and articulate that processed information into usable knowledge. We have found that the particular knowledge base acquired in the pursuit of a doctorate or other advanced degree is often not directly relevant to any particular research project, but the strengthening of the persistence muscle required for the completion of such a degree is very useful.

How much are your services?

admin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:20:28 +0000

ReconnaSense offers three fee structures: hourly, project, and a combination of both. Contact us for more information about fees.

Do you outsource your assignments?

admin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:19:55 +0000

No. At ReconnaSense, we complete our engagements internally. However, when and as necessary, we do make use of a network of professionals, from forensic accountants to attorneys and fraud investigators, with whom we have confidential contractual relations. All costs are absorbed by ReconnaSense unless otherwise specified in the engagement letter.

How will you understand my particular due diligence, research, or investigative needs?

admin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:19:10 +0000

By careful consultation with you. Some research firms offer sophisticated, but ultimately limited, proprietary cookie-cutter research techniques and apply them to every project. At ReconnaSense, each engagement is treated as what is is: one-of-a-kind. We conduct in-depth interviews and conversations with our clients to understand the nature of the research project. These consultations are followed by additional communication to refine the research, if need be, and to provide interim reports, also as needed.

How do you present your findings?

admin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:18:27 +0000

In a report. The report will be provided to the client electronically, and a hard-copy will be mailed to the client. We also maintain files on each research project, recording all research trails as well as records of all communications, with the client and anyone else associated with the project.

How long will it take you to complete my project?

admin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:17:51 +0000

It depends on the project, but we always give you a time frame and strive to complete your project as quickly as possible, consistent with exhausting all research avenues and providing a detailed, professional, and useful report. If for some reason the project takes longer than initially anticipated, we inform you of that as soon as the delay becomes evident.