# Qualitative preregistration: flexibility, reflexivity and decisions

Decision workbook and teaching example · 2026-10-06

The completed case is fictional. Its values and decisions are not actual findings; complete your project using relevant permissions, methods and requirements.

- Project: ____________________
- Researcher and role: ____________________
- Date and version: ____________________
- Data seen before the decision: ____________________
- Aim and scope: ____________________

## Completed example

| Stage/decision | Example | Check or action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Question | Experiences of learning support | State an open question and setting. |
| Position | Interviewer attends the same institution | Reflect on relationships and assumptions. |
| Sampling | Purposive variation in experience | Explain selection and evolution. |
| Evidence | Fictional extract about a classmate | Connect extract, code and memo. |
| Revision | Add a peer-network follow-up | Record trigger, date and prompt version. |

## Complete your own record

| Topic | Actual decision and reason | Evidence link and status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Question | __________ | __________ |
| Position | __________ | __________ |
| Sampling | __________ | __________ |
| Evidence | __________ | __________ |
| Revision | __________ | __________ |

## Completion checks

- [ ] Initial plan identifying open decisions.
- [ ] Reflexive and amendment logs linking codes to evidence.
- [ ] Method evolution and participant-protection record.

## Changes and limitations

| Date | Change | Data known at decision time | Reason | Consequence for claim | Reviewer |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |

## Sources and further reading

- [OSF Support — Registration templates](https://help.osf.io/article/330-welcome-to-registrations)
- [EQUATOR — COREQ for interviews and focus groups](https://www.equator-network.org/reporting-guidelines/coreq/)
- [Center for Open Science — Preregistration](https://www.cos.io/initiatives/prereg)

Related guide: https://didgar-research-site1.vercel.app/en/guides/qualitative-preregistration/