As part of the filtering process in information gathering, I also apply a simple test before going very far: "how related is this to what I want to know?" If it's not related, generally ignore or skim. If it is related, mine it for important info (the nuggets / truly useful sentences I mention above).

I also leave myself constantly open to new information on a topic I'm "actively" researching. No thought or action on it in days, then somebody makes a comment, and I think, "that fits in with everything else, and is added to my mental store on the focus topic."