Methodology consulting

What it is

Methodology consulting is a structured guidance service for researchers who know what they want to demonstrate but are unsure how to build the tools that will allow them to do it. We do not develop the methodology on your behalf — we work alongside you, session by session, to sharpen your thinking and help you formulate a coherent framework.

The service covers fundamental decisions: choosing a research paradigm (qualitative, quantitative, mixed), selecting data collection methods (interviews, questionnaires, document analysis, experiments), constructing research instruments, and justifying methodological choices to evaluators or reviewers.

In practice, each session starts from whatever material you bring — a draft, a research question, a chapter in progress — and produces written feedback that you receive after each meeting, so you can continue working independently between sessions.

How it works

1. You complete the intake form. You briefly describe your topic, where you currently stand, what is blocking you methodologically, and the type of programme (undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, research project).

2. First session — diagnostic. We discuss your research question, objectives, and academic context. Together we identify the points where your methodological framework needs clarification or reinforcement.

3. Written feedback after each session. We summarise what was discussed, what you decided, and the next steps before the following session. The document stays with you as a working reference.

4. Subsequent sessions — deeper work. We pick up from where you have progressed. We address questions that have emerged, adjust the approach if needed, and support the formulation of methodological justifications in your text.

5. Email support between sessions. If urgent questions arise between meetings, you can send a short message and we will respond within one business day.

Frequently asked questions

How is this different from working with my thesis supervisor?

A methodology consultant focuses exclusively on the structure and coherence of the methodology — not on the disciplinary content of the thesis. The consultant does not know your field better than your academic supervisor does, but does know academic methodological conventions and can help you apply them correctly in your specific context.

Can I come in with a methodology I have already drafted?

Yes, and it is often more efficient that way. You bring what you have already built, we review together what is working and what needs adjustment, and we continue from there rather than starting from scratch.

What if I need more than 5 sessions?

If there are still aspects to clarify at the end of the package, you can add individual sessions at a per-session rate. We discuss this option at the final session of the package.

Do you work with highly specialised fields — medicine, law, engineering?

Yes, provided the questions are methodological in nature rather than disciplinary. Research structure, method justification, instrument design — these are aspects we address regardless of the field.