comments:
Speaking as a scientist, the FIRST thing we need is everyone involved in this investigation needs to keep a notebook. Use what works for you, but this is one of the types of notebooks I keep (50 years as a physicist creates some habits): https://www.amazon.com/Fuyoooo-Computation-Engineering-Technical-Applications/dp/B0CYT78JHZ/ref=sr_1_19?crid=13VH3FTM3I9AD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.R1jpxtY8pzc_d1pkO6VqZjYPgDOIlYYQNUzXxdfxpk-6iXLBMb2YiGK9w6DV6I-Zm75m8ohcNMQCTfdq7ewForj8U1DoeN7afCAlJrow0hc-spLHYF7Zh_pMWzYNARH6cH5BkxKz99FrXSBUPcvaer6j0juv-gaZsQQBnJHYPbKxm7FA98gE-C-3M4MlFuCXoDSip6hpiKVH7C63ZzyGsSsopKGo6kwCI7MSW_MuuoLb1XT7rXwj-Nr6byMWMc51J_4R2Xvd44fWSkJGEP_V78-lCzYGayhNvh-ppCrtQxY.xKeCnukyk1vXn9VGXPgDlbuCt8j99lX11N9mJcZRXUg&dib_tag=se&keywords=spiral%2Bbound%2Bengineering%2Bnotebook&qid=1782762847&sprefix=engineering%2Bspiral%2Bnotebook%2Caps%2C209&sr=8-19&th=1 Pages are numbered. Date each page as you use it. Write down where you go, who you go with, what you're doing, time, weather, phase of the moon (I'm serious), what you see, what you hear, the equipment you're using, etc. If you observe something, write down a description. Write down the locations of all electronic files, photos, videos, audio recordings. Try to avoid interpreting what you see; discuss the observation with other people. Sometimes they will suggest reasonable interpretations that did not occur to you. Second, we need to collaborate with others. Collaboration is the heart of scientific research. I completely understand that sometimes going out alone works much better than going out with a group, but definitely share your plans and experiences. I pick up good ideas from other people all the time. Understand that making money off the "discovery of bigfoot" is a pipe dream. The reward for our efforts is spending time in the wilderness and getting to know some great people.