# Your Research Protocol

A research **protocol** is a "how to" or "recipe" document that describes, step-by-step, how to run an experiment. **Every experiment&#x20;**_**must**_**&#x20;have a protocol document written — and approved by Aaron, Cindy, or a designated senior lab member — before starting data collection**.&#x20;

You should create a first draft of the protocol as you move into pilot testing, and update it as you go through the pilot testing phase. **Your protocol should be open and available whenever you are running a participant.**

A protocol is a **critical document** because it ensures that you run your experimental procedures consistently and reliably. That is, everything gets done, and in the right order. Some people think it's overkill, but it's not, for a few reasons:

1. It ensures that you have thought through every detail of the experiment before you expend lab resources collecting data.&#x20;
2. Following the protocol ensures that data is collected in a consistent and reproducible manner, that is documented for future reference. This is an essential part of the scientific process.
3. When you're actually running participants, there is a lot going on and a lot that you need to remember and keep on top of. Especially at the start of any study, you are likely to forget certain things. Following the protocol ensures you don't&#x20;
4. Sometimes things happen to disrupt your flow (or you just forget something), and it's good to have a reference.&#x20;
5. Very often you'll have volunteers helping, or even taking over data collection, and they need to know what to do. Sometimes data collection may continue even after you've left the lab. The protocol ensures continuity, consistentcy, and that knowledge is not lost (which could be disastrous to the study).
6. Finally, it contributes to [**reproducibility and transparency in an open science framework**](../../computer-stuff/data-management/open-science)**.**
