My general approach is:

1. If it is a coding problem, I try to come up with my own way so as not to just copy what someone else has done. I have found that makes me learn more about the problem and the different solutions. If I still can't figure it out, then I do some research.

2. If it is an emergency or bug, I first Google or otherwise research the issue, so that I err on the side of safety, i.e., not going down blind alleys that might waste time or make things worse.

In either case, I always compile the sources that helped me and reference them in the code that I change, to give proper credit.

- webrunner