How do you judge a research group?

1  Size.  A group has to be large enough to handle reports and investigations, yet not so large that people get lost in bureaucracy.  If everyone in the group is not on a first name basis with everyone else, it is too large.  If everyone has the same last name, it is too small.  In either case, look for another group.

2. Location.  The group you work with should be close to you, or have investigators that live close to you.  The UBRG, for instance, has excellent coverage of Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia, good coverage of the rest of the areas East of the Mississippi, and a growing representation in the West.  If you live in Southern Florida and the closest researcher of the group you are working with is in North Carolina, look for another group.

3.  Purpose.  A group should have absolutely no reluctance in stating right up front what it's objectives are.  If they are after a Bigfoot Body, they should have the intestinal fortitude to say so right on their website home page.  If they believe NO research should bring ANY harm to these creatures, which is the way the UBRG believes, they should state that right on their front page as we have.  If you cannot determine their stand by reading the home page of their web-site, look for another group.

4.  Financing.  A group should be self-funded.  As soon as a group begins to charge people for membership, expeditions, meetings, assessments, etc., the NEED for immediate results causes the temptation for hoaxes to grow.  The two men in Georgia that sold expeditions are a case in point; they NEEDED to sell expeditions, so they hoaxed a body in a freezer to stimulate business.  As soon as a group asks for money from you, look for another group.

5.  Civility.  Would you want your sister to join it?  If the language and attitude among the members of a group is such that you would not want your younger sister, daughter, wife or mother to be around it, look for another group.