Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) has become increasingly popular in political science, communication, and policy research. Unfortunately, many studies misuse CDA by reducing it to quoting politicians or compiling soundbites. This approach weakens credibility and strips the method of its critical depth. True CDA goes further. It examines how language produces and reproduces power relations, inequality, … Read more
Pilot studies are essential for modern research. They help scholars test feasibility, refine tools, and identify potential challenges. However, pilot studies are not final research. Treating them as conclusive undermines credibility, misguides policy, and damages trust in science. This article explains the role of pilot studies, highlights common pitfalls, and offers practical solutions for using … Read more
In qualitative research, data saturation is one of the most cited yet misunderstood concepts. Too often, researchers treat saturation as a “magic number” — usually 12 or 15 interviews — without considering research design or analytical depth. At Research & Report, we regularly review manuscripts and supervise doctoral work where saturation is misapplied. This article … Read more
In qualitative research, validity is not merely technical — it is deeply interpretive, ethical, and relational. Yet, while researchers meticulously detail methods, tools, and coding frameworks, they often gloss over or omit a critical component: positionality and reflexivity. This oversight undermines not only the credibility of the study but also its epistemological integrity. At Research … Read more
In academic and applied research circles, the terms scoping and exploratory often carry an unintended implication: that the work is preliminary, informal, or exempt from rigor. That’s a dangerous myth. At Research & Report, we frequently observe a pattern: researchers use the label “exploratory” to excuse vague questions, ad-hoc methods, or weak analytical structure — … Read more
