Data memo–notes about what data you have, where it’s located and in what format data memos could include key bits of data, such as quotes, or vignettes.Methodological memo–comments on the methodology, e.g., why you choose to shorten/lengthen the interviews.Bibliographic memo–similar to the TM, but more of a response to or analysis of a specific text.Theoretical memo–thoughts on the theories you’re using new questions ideas for linking theories.Or, they could reflect aspects of the study, such as particular sites.

Note that these might correspond to the chapters, or sections, that you want to write. You should choose the categories that make sense for your study. Begin shaping the overall argument for a report on the study.Help with collaboration (as between a doctoral student and committee) or across research projects.Record data, and especially the parameters (where, when, how) about the data needed to make ene of it later.Save key insights or connections among ideas.They can serve several important functions: Memos are widely used in ethnographic and case study approaches. The general notion of research memos is that somewhere between the research per se and the writing of a dissertation or book about it, there’s a need for short writings (500-1000 words) on specific topics.

Researched and wrote memoranda