This paper reports on a loop project, i.e., it describes a research project and makes
use of it for analysing the research methodology used in it with the aim of drawing
attention to the importance of practicalities in research. The context of the analysis
is a large scale and longitudinal research project on task based learning conducted
in Hungary by researchers of Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest and the School of
Education of the University of Leeds. To highlight some relevant practical issues
and difficulties emerging in the course of conducting classroom research, the project
in focus was compared with a “quasi-ideal” research process. This comparison found
that the problems which often challenge the validity, reliability, credibility and
dependability of research can be characterized as technical, circumstantial or professional.
To counteract the effects of various disturbing occurrences, the suggested measures
to take are: careful planning, constant revision and above all, a clear justification
of every decision in the process. Whilst the paper focuses on classroom research,
the issues raised can also serve as a lesson to researchers in other areas.
