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, 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
Despite the growing acceptance and institutionalization of qualitative research in academia, many studies still fall into a critical trap — they lack a solid theoretical foundation. While qualitative methods are celebrated for exploring complexity, meaning, and lived experience, they are increasingly being used in ways that are conceptually shallow, methodologically misaligned, and analytically weak. This … Read more
