As you complete your research, documentation is key - take notes on all aspects of your project, from background research to methods to results. Depending on your research field, notes may include:
- Why you chose one research approach over another
- Assumptions made prior to experiments/analyses
- Comments within code
- Metadata
- Manufacturer/batch information
Besides preparing for questions from a graduate committee, the reasons for keeping good documentation include:
- Preparing for writing an article or thesis/dissertation
- Having data available and usable for future researchers
- Keeping within proper scientific ethics - people can trust your work!
