There are many job listing sites that have research jobs advertised. Check into the background of the company; see how long they've been in business. Do they have a good reputation? Visit work-from-home forums and ask which companies have been fair employers.
Another potential source of work is the local university. Professors and grad students often hire help for research, but the competition can be pretty stiff, with all the students looking for extra work.
If you are doing research in a regular out of the home job you can approach your boss with the idea of turning it into a telecommuting job. Sell them on the benefits of working from home. You can offer to take a pay cut and not end up losing money since you won't have the gas and other expenses involved in your commute. There would be fewer sick days too. If you're not feeling well, you can still accomplish some work, without fear of infecting the entire office. You can even have an agreement where you come into the office occasionally, to touch base for meetings.
Skills you need:
In order to be effective doing internet research, you should be able to think creatively and find unique information quickly. You have to be able to make use of search engines and the other vast online research resources. Being able to follow instructions and organize research material in a way that's easy for others to use is also important.
Tools you need:
As with any telecommuting position, you need a reliable computer with a high speed internet connection. You will also want to develop a strong list of online research sources, breaking them down into categories and topics. This virtual rolodex will be priceless to you, helping you to find what you need quickly and allowing you to impress your employer with you ingenuity.
How much money can you make?
Entry level research work will usually pay $10-15 an hour. Specialized researchers can command a higher rate and someone with a proven track record can even nail down a full time position that pays $30,000+ a year.
