Do you have the ability to order some extra desk supplies, such as several of those letter bins? If you can use your desk, great. If not, you can pick up a cheap card table at Walmart and put the bins across the table. For each research project, label one bin and anything related to that research project, ANYTHING (printouts, mailings, Q&A lists, etc) goes into the assigned bin. A card table is large enough for about 9 bins so each project would have it's own.
I have 3 notepads on my desk:
A large legal pad for very detailed specific tasks that will take a while and are relative to a large project.
A smaller note pad for daily tasks that I can throw out once the task is completed.
And the 2"X2" sticky notes for small stupid things I have to remember over the course of my week. These I stick to my monitor. Since I'm usually looking at my monitor, I rarely am able to overlook the stickys.
I also will make up manilla folders for specific long term projects that may or may not go into one of the designated bins. For instance, each year I have three PRIMARY projects that I must stay on top of and track for a few months each year. In early February I have to begin reviewing our health care package, so I make up a folder to hold all the renewal information and another folder for the new information from other companies - these both go into a designated bin; the deadline for this is mid-March. In late April, our company prepares for our annual golf outing in June/July, so again I create a folder for all this information, spreadsheets detailing the invite lists, company handouts, RSVP, etc. This has its place in a designated bin. Then around mid-October I have to prepare for our end of year holiday stuff, such as holiday letter, clients gifts, bonus information, employee gifts, mailing lists, etc. Again, it's own folders and designated bin.
It sounds like a lot of prep work, but once the system is in place, it is a great way to stay on task and keep everything in order. This way when my boss asks me for something related to one of these projects, I'm not rifling through papers for an hour.
I also have a Covey organizer that looks like a mini briefcase and zips closed. It has a calendar, a weekly planner, a daily planner, my address book, and several folders and sections for my own notes, mail, bills, etc. I pulled out a couple of sections that I wouldn't use to make room for things I needed. It has turned out to be the best $40 I have ever spent.
At home I have a dry erase calendar behind the kitchen door and the spaces are big enough to write appts and there is a note section off to the side in case there is something that won't fit inside the calendar day box. I use Outlook at work and once a week I print out that calendar and bring it home with me to make sure my calendars match up in regards to appts, etc. And I also keep my calendar in the Covey book matched up as well. I store all business cards and appointment cards in the Covey as well.
Since adopting these methods of organization, I cannot believe how great I feel being able to use all my contact points to stay on track. I used to feel like a chicken running around with it's head cut off, or a dog chasing it's tail. But now I am on top of everything and it's not anywhere near as difficult as I thought it would be.
Creating a method that works for you, as well as taking the correct supplements, will be a life saver. I hope you're able to find ways to give yourself reminders and stay on track and that some of these ideas have helped. Good luck.