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2.2: Create your Notebook

  • Page ID
    284234
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    Research Is Iterative

    "So...we have the internet vortex of data. And then you do your first search, and you have general data. And then after looking that over and solidifying what you want, and then it goes through more filters and then you wind up with just the distilled data, but, when you get here, that doesn’t exactly mean that you are done because from here, it can also mean that you have to go back because you found more information in the data and you have to re-refine or gather more information from it. It’s cyclical, but it can go off into rabbit holes. But, it doesn’t, that’s not always a bad thing."

    (Graduate student participant cited in Droog, et al. p. 832)

    Research is often full of rabbit holes, taking you on unexpected twists & turns, rather than remaining on a linear path. These rabbit holes can be exciting and lead to great discoveries, but they can also make the research feel chaotic and overwhelming. Therefore, though you'll start by following me on this path, you might need to step off, return to a previous step, or repeat a step many times as you further explore and refine your topic. I'll help you find ways to jump back after you take a detour from the path.

    Steps & Options for Creating Your Notebook:

    The iterative nature of research inherently makes it feel confusing, especially if you can't see a path.

    I highly recommend you create a notebook to stay organized.

    Creating a notebook will allow you to stay organized throughout your research process. Therefore, throughout this workbook, you'll find many activity prompts to draw or write. If you already have the notebook, you'll be able to start using it right away so all your notes regarding the research process will be in one place.

    1. Select whether you want to work with paper or electronically.
      • Paper:
        • Consider using a physical binder so you can store printed pages, add blank pages, and maybe store a few colored post-its in the pocket. You could also clip a few different colored pens and highlighters to the top of the binder.
        • Print a PDF of this workbook, three-hole punch it, and store it in the binder, along with several blank pages for notes.
      • Electronic:
        • Create a folder online where you can save and edit PDFs as well as save documents with your notes.
        • Download a PDF of this workbook and use a PDF editor in a tablet so you write in it with a stylus or use an application on your computer.
      • Combination
        • You could have a physical notebook to take notes, but engage electronically with this workbook and the sources you find.
    2. To start, jot down the following in your notebook:
      • Today's date
      • What you did - you started your notebook!
      • Something you did well this session - You started this book! That deserves to be celebrated. Perhaps you're particularly excited by what or where you chose to create your notebook.
      • A concrete baby step for the next time you work on the research - that you'll complete the next section of this workbook.

    I'll continue to recommend that you take notes on every step of the research process. It'll help you stay focused, engaged, and motivated.


    This page titled 2.2: Create your Notebook is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Frances Brady.

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