ABSTRACT
This chapter reflects on the inquiry process in a research project in which concurrent protocols were used to explore L2 writing processes. In the case of concurrent protocols, the challenge faced by researchers is 'to identify and reduce causes of their invalidity'. The main data source for our studies consisted of the participants' think-aloud verbalizations while performing four writing tasks. A frequently heard criticism of concurrent protocols is that cognitive processes are not directly manifest in protocols, but have to be inferred and interpreted. When preparing the data for coding and analysis, researchers must find satisfactory solutions to the problem that, although concurrent protocols tell a story, protocols do not afford direct access to cognitive processes. When preparing the data for coding and analysis, researchers must find satisfactory solutions to the problem that, although concurrent protocols tell a story, protocols do not afford direct access to cognitive processes.
