Keep Research Notes That Preserve Source Context
Notes that retain the source, date, location on the page, and limits around a fact make later writing easier to check and harder to misread.
Build a record for each source
For every page or document you plan to use, record its title, organization, URL, publication or update date if shown, and the date you accessed it. Add the page number, section heading, table name, or chart label where the relevant information appears. A bare link is not enough when the page changes or contains many unrelated details.
Give each record a short identifier, such as S1, and use it consistently in your notes. Keep the source title exactly as presented, including the agency name. If a page has no visible publication date, write “no date shown” rather than guessing from a copyright notice or the date you found it.
Capture the fact with its boundaries
Write the fact in your own words, then note the exact unit, population, place, and time period. If it is a number, record the label that accompanies it and any footnote. For a statement about services, distinguish the organization’s description from your inference about how a resident might use it.
A useful note might say: “S1 — LAHSA homepage, dashboard section: page reports 27,994 permanent housing placements in 2024; measure is placements; verify dashboard definition before comparing.” This preserves the figure’s stated meaning and records a practical caution. Do not shorten it to “27,994 people housed,” which changes the measure.
Separate source language from your analysis
Keep three fields: source claim, your interpretation, and follow-up question. For example, the source may list “food assistance” as a search category; your interpretation may be that this helps users browse relevant listings; your question may be whether each listing is still available. This separation prevents a plausible inference from quietly becoming a source fact.
Use quotation marks only for brief wording you need to preserve exactly. Otherwise paraphrase and keep a page reference. Notes are a working aid, not a place to copy long passages. If more than one page supports a statement, list each source and clarify which one supports which part.
Review notes before publication
Before drafting, check that every figure still has its date and unit attached. Confirm that the source is an agency page, a directory entry, a report, or another document type. If a page gives a link to a separate report, record that document separately rather than treating the homepage and report as one source.
A consistent note format saves time when a page is updated or a colleague asks how a statement was derived. Keep the access date visible, revisit high-stakes details close to publication, and mark unresolved questions plainly. Good notes make it possible to revise or withdraw one claim without losing the context of the rest of the research.
Sources & further reading
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