Alright here are some of my crazy thoughts on research. I do this a lot but it is for the military and it is very structured as to what to use.
Living in the Clouds and Driving Through the Information Super Highway
In order to obtain proper information and research in multiple areas and various facets I began to cloud informational pages together. I use started to look into the use of Microsoft Live to hold all my tools and sites for researching help. I like the way I can pull from my computer what needs to be at my fingertips.
I have also found websites to locate great information through the many courses I have been in. Some of these are very knowledge based and some are based on specific fields or areas of study. Merlot, iTunes U, Ted Talks, Fact bites and other sites to help with gaining information needed to write appropriately and informative.
These are great for informational means but what about getting the message across to your audience? Well I have been playing a lot with Camtasia and other tools to send my messages to them. I find that the ease in use and design with Camtasia helps make the design of training more fluid and that to me is where the audience will see what is being delivered. There is also Prezi and Moodle to play on.