Research in the UNESCO Archives could start with identifying official documents and possibly publications relating to the subject.

For instance:

• the study of a specific matter like the United Kingdom's withdrawal (1985) and later resuming (1997) of UNESCO membership could start with the relevant General Conference and Executive Board documents (AG 4) and (AG 5).
  The list of research works on UNESCO History, deposited in the Archives, would also prove useful. Furthermore, monographs and articles on the issue should be checked (AG 7) and (AG 14).
  Since the selected research subject is relatively recent, the rules governing access to the UNESCO archives (20 years as a general rule for correspondence files) restrict the possibility to consult the files. Nevertheless, as part of the background it might be helpful to consult files on the relations between UNESCO and the United Kingdom in earlier years (official dossiers, AG 8).
  
  
• A study of a specific UNESCO activity or programme could start with the most relevant documents of the General Conference (AG 4): resolutions, the approved programme and budget (document C/5) and the reports of the Director-General (document C/3) should be consulted.

Searches in UNESCO's Documentary Database (UNESDOC) are indispensable to identify documents and publications after 1972, the year when indexing in this database began. UNESDOC should also be consulted for the period prior to 1972, since a major retroactive indexing and scanning effort, which is underway, has already produced significant results. Ultimately, all UNESCO documents of a public nature as from 1946 will be made available on-line.
Before 1972, card indexes must be used as a complement to the database (AG6 and 7).

For the open period (see access rules) programme files should then be examined (AG 8). In some cases the archives of field units (AG 9) or audiovisual archives (AG 12) could bring additional valuable information or approaches.

• If the research is focused on an important person in the life of UNESCO, for example a Director-General, the correspondence files and possibly some administrative files (AG 8) will normally be the most important sources. But they should be combined with Secretariat documents (AG 6) such as mission reports and lists of members of the Secretariat.

As a general rule for researches in the UNESCO Archives it is recommended to combine the sources and to check all Archive Groups that could reasonably be expected to include relevant information. The Organization's history, orientations and activities are reflected in a wide range of different series and sources, including private, public and international archival collections outside the custody of the UNESCO Archives.