Research starts with a question, not a conclusion.

Make the question workable

A broad topic is a starting point. Before collecting material, decide what you want to understand, which context matters and what evidence could help. Keep an observation separate from an explanation: noticing an unfinished draft does not establish why it was abandoned.

Keep the source close

Record where each important claim comes from. Read the original passage when possible, and retain its context, date and limitations. A useful source may support only part of a sentence. Narrow the sentence rather than asking the source to carry more than it can.

Leave room for uncertainty

Our research workbooks help organise questions and claims. They are practical planning tools, not validated psychological assessments or a substitute for a systematic review.