Once you have determined your research strategy, the next part of step 2: Investigate is to conduct your research. This includes gathering relevant data from a combination of print resources, Web sites, electronic databases, and conversations with people.

An essential part of responsible and ethical public speaking is making sure the information in your speech is accurate and trustworthy. This is all the more important now, when audiences have easy access to many online resources where they can fact-check your claims. (Think of how often politicians get called out for making false claims in their speeches.) Conducting comprehensive research ensures that your presentation is truthful and helps build your credibility with the audience.