Keep a research journal. In it, you can record things like the terms you used to search a particular database, and when. You can record details of texts you need to find, or a technique you need to understand. You can make notes about what you are reading, and try to work through ideas. You can record the outcomes of your day's research, and reflect on what went well, and how you could improve for the next day. In The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron advocates beginning every day by free writing three pages in your journal - it can be whatever you want (not necessarily about research or your project). The aim is to pump out all the rubbish and preoccupations in your mind so that you can get to the good stuff - give it a try and let us know how it works for you!