This paper describes research on a course assignment, the research portfolio, designed for a two-course teacher research experience in a Masters of Arts in Teaching program. The focus of the assignment is the process of data collection and analysis that is critical to the success of teacher research. We sought a way to help our teacher candidates grapple with the complexity of the process while learning the necessary skills and habits that support effective learning and research. We share our findings, which look at how teacher candidates responded to the assignment and how our work has evolved as a result.