Read – Chapters, Journal Articles, and Research Blogs: Find top research articles to cite and enrich your reading with your ready-made bibliography of qualitative research from SAGE books, journals, and other credible sources. Use the discussion questions online to practice thinking critically about research.

22.1 Research journals

In this article, Cate Watson reflects upon the nature and consequences of keeping a research journal:

Watson, C. (2006). Encounters and Directions in Research: Pages From a Simulacrum Journal. Qualitative Inquiry, 12(5), 865–885.

Q. How do you think keeping a research diary could benefit your project? What would you record in your journal and how could you incorporate it into your methodology chapter?

22.2 Natural history of your research

In line with my suggestion that you keep a research diary, in this paper, Helen Sampson argues that you should report both your findings and the natural history of your research. She also suggests that a pilot study is very valuable prior to the main body of data collection.

Sampson, H. (2004). Navigating the waves: the usefulness of a pilot in qualitative research. Qualitative Research, 4(3), 383–402.

Q. Do you think a pilot study would be valuable in your research project?

Q. How can you incorporate a natural history of your research into the writing up, and what value would this add?

22.3 Reflecting on methods

For a book chapter on writing a methodology chapter, go to:

Wellington, J. J., Bathmaker, A., Hunt, C., McCulloch, G. & Sikes, P. (2005). Doing research: reflecting on methods, methodology and ethics. In Succeeding with your doctorate (pp. 96-111). SAGE Publications Ltd.

https://methods.sagepub.com/base/download/BookChapter/succeeding-with-your-doctorate/n6.xml

Q. How did you decide on the methods and methodologies you have used in your research? Q. How can you best communicate your reasoning and process in your methodology chapter?