==**Issue Position Research Training Guide**==

Issue Position Research is incredibly important, as it feeds into multiple applications (VoteEasy & Positions folder on the live site). This research is our answer to candidates failing to provide citizens with their stances on the key issues. Therefore, it is especially important that this research is comprehensive and evidence based. The links below should provide a researcher with everything needed to complete this research efficiently and accurately:

**Collecting Evidence**
- [[DataSourcesforVoteEasyEvidence Data Sources for VoteEasy Evidence and How To Find Them]]

**Making Determinations**
- [[VoteEasyDeterminations Evaluating Evidence and Making Determinations]]
- **2018 Research Guide** (Helpful for finding evidence & making determinations for all 2018 VE Questions): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dg-_LmHPIDwo75AShQdOykuYYdNgB7opIQ5fSJjyUEE/edit?usp=sharing

**Documenting Evidence**
- [[VoteEasyCitations VoteEasy Citation Guide]]
- Execl Templates for VE Research are attached

***Key Points***
~-Use good judgment and be judicious of every source. In time, your research will be available on Vote Smart's website. Help us maintain Vote Smart's reputation as a great source of reliable, non-partisan information by conducting strong research we can stand behind.
~-Make a time limit for yourself when researching. Researching one question should take roughly 5 minutes.
~-If you feel like you've exhausted all possible resources and you still can't make a determination, do not see that as a reflection of your research abilities. If this is the case, please speak to your supervisor to discuss next steps, there may be some last resort places that evidence can be found. In some cases the information just isn't out there and you may just need to move on to the next question
~-Ask questions! VoteEasy research is full of puzzles and challenges. Talk through these issues with staff and your peers to find an answer.

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