I want to find a new domain name registrar to use. I've searched a little in this forum, but I seem to find the same recurring theme - "do your research". So, where or how do I research registrars?

You can use the search button here on WHT and other forums, and search Google. Read the forums for a while. It'll soon become apparent which registrars to avoid. You could take a look at www.webhosting.info for registrar trends etc.

Basically it comes down to, what do you want and need from them? There are some better registrars and some worse, so probably want to figure out if you need any extras, what sort of price you're willing to pay then start looking at which of the better registrars can meet your criteria.

But that is where I'm stumbling...how do I find out which are better and worse?

I've tried to search, but I'm not finding anything definitive (just things like "I'm moving from x" without any reason as to why). Is this the right sub-forum to be looking in, or do I search the whole site. Any google searches I do I find really old stuff (2001-2002).

Is there a ratings place out there - something like epinion but for domain registrars?

Better or worse is a judgement call, your judgement, you have to see what others are saying then decide to trust or not. Try finding registrars that meet your needs, then try researching their names, probably will make life easier.

Yes, I want to research, my question is how - I honestly don't know how to begin. I'm not asking anyone to do it for me...I just don't know what it means to 'research'. Are there sites I should be searching; are there rating places; should I just be doing google searches?

I know I am search-deficient, so any hints as to what words to use would be helpful. So far I've just searched google on the registrar's name and after 4 pages of their own pages or really old stuff, I give up. Even here when I search I don't seem to find useful current info (again, that would be my search deficiency...I am just searching on the registrar's name).

When I say old I'm talking 2001-2. Things happen so quickly in regards to internet business that I don't know what is relevant - i.e., are reviews from 2005 to old?

You can use the search button here on WHT and other forums, and search Google. Read the forums for a while. It'll soon become apparent which registrars to avoid. You could take a look at www.webhosting.info for registrar trends etc.
I've looked at the webhosting.info site, but all it shows is who has the most names registered...I'm not sure that is the best criteria for choosing (though I guess if the place really sucked no one would use it). If I sign-up is there more information that I'm not seeing as a guest?

So. You now have a comprehensive list of registrars. You now need to whittle that down. Start by making a list of your requirements of your registrar then visit their websites to see if the registrar meets those requirements. Read their ToS. Search this forum (and other forums) for their names. Read the experience of their customers. When you have a shortlist of 2-6 registrars, you might want to ask for our opinions, but be sure to state what your registrar requirements are when asking for an opinion.

This thread might be useful - http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=583267 - basically they say Moniker, Godaddy and Netsol are Ok. Registerfly and 1and1 are useless.