Should you place rice into cold water then boil?

Yes, you should. However, that said, when the water first starts to boil, you turn down the heat to low, and keep it there until the time is up: 20 minutes for white rice, 40 minutes for brown. You should heat it in a covered pan. The lid should remain on the pan for the entire process. Add salt to the water (but not too much) before boiling.