It is a really good idea for any researcher to keep a journal in which she records the path of her search, reactions to specific information encountered in various sources, and reflections on the topic under study. Often writing can be a way to discover truth, as what we really think can come out naturally when we write. A journal kept in a separate notebook can be a valuable resource. It is important to record what the steps are as the process goes on and how one's thinking changes as information is gathered.