Collaborate – Think Critically: Learn from researchers who have been in your shoes – use their examples and experiences to explore how their ‘lessons learned’ can improve your own research approach. Take it one step further with additional thought-provoking questions online.

22.1 Theory and method

1. Assess whether your draft methodology chapter follows what Steven says

2. Try to rejig your account to pay attention to his attempt to provide ‘descriptive details of how the study was developed and conducted’. What do you think this adds to your account?

What theoretical assumptions underlying your methods can you highlight using this approach?

22.2 Topics for a natural history chapter

Experiment with using the headings Simon, Moira and Sally used to organize your methodology chapter, i.e.,

• The personal context
• Reasons for research design
• Developing through trial and error
• Methodological lessons I have learned

Consider whether this is a more lively and informative way of writing up your methodology than just a list of the methods used.

Consider also playing around with the order and priority of these headings, taking into account the chronology of your research process as well as what will best engage your readers.