Define a research question
Begin with an answerable question that identifies the object, material and limits of the conclusion.
Read article ↗INSTITUTE / FIELD NOTES
Research methods handbook
Eighteen practical guides to sources, editions, procedures, cases, translation and research responsibility.
18 articles
Check editions and catalogues
Identical titles can conceal differences in content, volume structure and attribution.
Read article ↗Transcribe a manuscript
A transcription preserves visible evidence, with editorial decisions labeled separately.
Read article ↗Collate textual variants
Variants may arise from copying, printing, editing or differing procedures.
Read article ↗Document calendar conversion
Calendar and time standards determine whether inputs can be reproduced.
Read article ↗Reconstruct a procedure
Translate formulas into steps with inputs, branches and stopping conditions.
Read article ↗Compare schools with controlled inputs
Change one convention at a time to locate the origin of a difference.
Read article ↗Preregister a case protocol
State questions, rules and evaluation criteria before seeing outcomes.
Read article ↗Record counterexamples and failures
Mismatches, unresolved cases and unscorable cases are research material too.
Read article ↗Use baselines and denominators
Counts require sample scope, a baseline and scoring rules.
Read article ↗Obtain informed agreement for interviews
Participants need to understand purpose, recording and available withdrawal options.
Read article ↗Minimize and de-identify data
Keep only necessary material and consider identification through combinations of details.
Read article ↗Translate technical terms
A translation should retain the original term, context and unresolved meanings.
Read article ↗Digitize a diagram
A readable reconstruction retains source, orientation, layers and uncertainty.
Read article ↗Record citations and reuse conditions
Accessible material still requires precise citation and checked reuse conditions.
Read article ↗Arrange independent review
Review requires enough material and room for disagreement.
Read article ↗Disclose conflicts of interest
Commercial, teaching and research roles should be distinguished within each project.
Read article ↗Maintain corrections and revisions
A revision record explains when and why the basis of a conclusion changed.
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