Effective documentation is a cornerstone of successful research. It ensures that your data, methods, and findings are clearly understood, reproducible, and accessible to others. Documentation includes not only detailed descriptions of your research process, but also explanations of how data was collected, processed, and analysed. It provides context, outlines any assumptions, and clarifies decisions made throughout the project.
Well-structured documentation helps future researchers, collaborators, or even yourself revisit your work, making it easier to interpret and build upon. In this section, we will explore the key components of research documentation, best practices for creating it, and how good documentation contributes to the transparency, reproducibility, and longevity of your research. Whether you’re managing experimental data, field notes, or analytical methods, proper documentation is essential for ensuring your work remains valuable and understandable over time.