MethodMate Blog | Vlog

A publication in a reputable academic journal can be understood as participation in an ongoing scientific discussion. Whether an article is ready for publication depends largely on whether it is prepared to meaningfully enter that discussion. Consider the following analogy. Imagine yourself as a student attending a roundtable discussion among professors. At first, you sit some distance from the table and simply listen, trying to understand what the discussion is about. Over time, you begin to...

Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs), is rapidly reshaping academic research. From literature synthesis to data analysis and manuscript drafting, AI promises efficiency and new forms of insight. Yet this promise is accompanied by serious ethical challenges. Current research shows that many of these challenges stem not only from technical limitations, but also from institutional unreadiness. One of the most pressing ethical concerns in AI-assisted research is...

This post presents the detailed structure of an empirical article. It is not necessary to follow this template exactly. That is why words such as often, usually, in some cases, and similar expressions are used throughout this post. The goal is not to impose rigid rules, but to preserve a clear logic and sequence of presentation. This structure is based on an analysis of many of articles published in leading journals: Present the research problem and its significance at the beginning It is best...

Qualitative research helps us understand reality in its full complexity, without separating a phenomenon from its context. The main features of the qualitative approach are: studying a phenomenon within its context or natural setting; direct involvement of the researcher in the process of investigation and interpretation; use of data in the form of words and images (texts, audio, video); focus on meanings and how participants perceive reality; presenting research results not only as a final...

When using a quantitative approach, the researcher must quantify the factors or concepts under investigation in order to apply statistical methods of analysis. Quantitative research typically follows a clear structure and a sequence of steps. This approach can be described as deductive: first, the theoretical foundation and research hypotheses are developed; then data are collected and analyzed to confirm or reject those hypotheses. The quantitative approach is often grounded in a...

Research planning is influenced by the choice of approach. There are three research approaches: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Here I use the term approach rather than method, because method has a narrower meaning and is often used to refer to a specific technique of data collection or data analysis. An approach, in contrast, is a broader combination that includes: [1] a paradigm, [2] a research design, and [3] methods of data collection and analysis. It is also important to...