What is a reasearch notebook for english class?

The author wants to use the setting and environment that Alicia and Ron are interacting with to characterize Alicia and Ron with their juxtaposed personalities. The use of Ron's character allows Alicia to express her point of character and push the plotline/character development. The author also uses Alicia's observant perspective as a way to describe the setting rather than having an omniscient presence guide the environment for the characters.  

Explanation:

He had been running boats, working crab traps since Alicia was old enough to notice such things. Still, she wasn't sure she trusted him to tell her the truth about things. She was younger, and he liked to tease.

Up ahead Alicia could see many boats anchored on the shallow flats. People walking around the boats would bend every now and then to pick something up from the water. It looked like a small city on the water, with people milling about waiting for a movie to start or a party to begin.

Alicia slipped out of the boat a few minutes after Ron. The ground under her feet was squishy but solid; the sea grass brushed her legs. Spotting a nearby scallop, she walked slowly over, reached down—water up to her elbow—and touched its shell.

"Ahhh," she screamed, dropping the scallop and hearing Ron's hoots of laughter behind her.

"And there, dear sister, is the scallop's bite. Do be careful," Ron said, laughing harder.

Alicia had to grin as her brother's laugh grew louder. "I'll take a squirt in the face any day over a bite," she said bending to retrieve the dropped bivalve. It was going to be a good day.