Research Notes
A useful note tells future-you what was found, where, when, and under what limits. A mysterious sentence labeled “important” is merely a message from a previous tenant of your brain. These guides keep quotations, summaries, and your own ideas visibly separate so attribution survives the exciting middle of a project.
How to Keep a Source Log for Personal Research
Keep a source log by creating one retrievable record per source when you first consult it.
How to Make a Synthesis Matrix for Research
Make a synthesis matrix by placing sources on one axis and shared questions or themes on the other.
Primary vs Secondary Sources: A Practical Test
A primary source provides original evidence or a firsthand record relevant to your research question.