How do scientists do background research on topics they have question about

Consider the following reaction at equilibrium: c(s)+h2o(g)⇌co(g)+h2(g) predict whether the reaction will shift left, shift right, or remain unchanged upon each of the following disturbances. a) c is added to the reaction mixture. b) h2ois condensed and removed from the reaction mixture c) co is added to the reaction mixture d) h2 is removed from the reaction mixture.