As you'll see in later chapters, it is important to document your research process and the decisions you make. For example, you'll want to note why you choose particular data collection methods and how you invite and involve research participants. You'll also want to keep blank copies of any documents you use, such as consent forms, questionnaires or interview questions. Your record of the research process is one resource to show that your work is credible. We'll come back to the topic of credibility in Chapter 8.
Some people document their research process as part of their reflective writing process. They write about the research process, leaving a wide margin, and then write their reflections in the margin. Another approach is to use different coloured pens to document and reflect. If you are part of a collaborative project or research network, e-mails and notes from meetings may also serve to document the process.
In the following chapters, you'll read about forming questions, inviting participants, ethical decision making, collecting and analyzing data, and sharing your research. The planning guide that follows includes topics and questions to consider as you plan your research project. You might write your responses as you plan and make decisions, or use the list as a reminder or checklist about the decisions you make. Your responses can provide an outline for a proposal, if you are writing one.
Following are some questions to consider as you plan your research project.
Focus/Question (Chapter 6)
Context