In my humble opinion a "methodological proposal" section should be the core of a methodological paper. A "case study" section should then apply the proposed methodology on a practical case to show that the methodology is useful. If a case study is not possible, an Analysis section could be used instead.

With that said, my basic structure of a methodological paper would be:

I - Introduction

II - Literature review:

It should conclude on the lack or limit of the current methodologies and justify why a new methodology is needed

III - Methodological Proposal (you can call it what name you gave to you knew methodology

It’s your new idea, the core contribution of the paper. Explain the essence of the new methodology, the steps, the expected results, the limitations...

A very simple running example can be used to better convey your points

IV - Case Study:

It applies your new methodology step by step by step and shows the results that you explain

V - Discussions:

Focuses on the evidence of what your new methodology brings compared to others and presents potential limitations if any

VI - Conclusion

You could add a Background section after the introduction if deemed necessary to help the reader better understand any background information. You could also add a “related work” section if necessary. And of course, you should be able to organize your structure in the best way that conveys your work.

Hoping that this helps

Hi Bianca,

I'll recommend you the attached book on "How to Write a Paper", 3rd edition Edited by George M Hall.

Regards,

Boualem Djezzar

Thanks Boualem, but I am asking something very specific. I want to write a methodological paper which is different from one that reports on empirical findings.

Hi Bianca,

Well, future recommendations of recent methodological papers might be a good start. It can help identify gaps these papers.

Best,

Can you give more specific details describing your concern?

@Majd and Boualem, thanks but I know what I want to wrote about. I need to know HOW to write a methodological paper. Notably, what are the elements and issues (e.g. philosophy, explanation of what it is for and how to do it) that must be address in such a paper. I cannot really much more because that is what I am asking.

I will have a look at the papers that I have read on methodology to see how the authors structured them. Any good and innovative idea is anyway welcome. Thanks!

Dear Bianca,

i guess there is no recipe for writing a methodological paper. But, in order to organize your argument, you should consider some things:

Methodological (to me) means the epistemological standpoint that frames the possibilities of what can be observed. So a concrete method is the operationalization of this standpoint.

So ask yourself, why is it fruitful to change methodology on a certain issue/research topic? If you are aiming at an even more fundamental level like realistic/positivistic/constructive view, the question will be, what is the added value of your proposition.

When writing your paper, it will indeed be necessary to sketch out the 'philosophical underpinning' you mentioned. Together with Markus Gottwald and Frank Sowa i wrote a methodological paper in the field of organizational ethnography. Maybe the structure, we chose is helpful for you.

Article "Walking the Line": An At-home Ethnography of Bureaucracy

thanks a lot Ronald. This is a very good starting point! Thanks for sharing your work as well.

Article Selecting a Grounded Theory Approach for Nursing Research

This methodology discussion paper emerged from my struggle to choose a methodological approach. Methodological discussions may stem from personal experience of grappling with a methodological issue. I would suggest you to read some methodology papers and see the way authors approached their methodological papers, and see what puzzles you.

Like all research, a methodological inquiry will begin with a clear question. Once you have a question, maybe find a mentor who is interested, capable, and patient to provide you with ongoing feedback on your writing. Writing methodology paper will require you to critically read original books and articles in the area. You will be greatly benefitted with reading doctoral theses that utilized the same methodology. You may gain insights from their descriptions of how they used the methodology (usually chapter 3) and what were their challenges.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

You should consider some items in this way:

1. Comparison of your contribution with related studies.

2. If it is possible, cooperate with a professor working on papers which are related to your contribution.

3. Selection of a desired case in order to link your contribution to the real world problems (as a case study).

4. Good Luck.

Hello Bianca Cavicchi ,

Sorry for being late. By this time you may have finished writing your paper. Your post just attracted me today and I am replying if you still need any thoughts.

In my knowledge, the Methodology paper will have 1. Introduction, where you will put the purpose and the brief of your study with little background, and 2. Methodology, where you will write details of the methodology of your study including what data, from where and how will be collected and analyzed for gathering your findings. There will be no recommendation and conclusion in Methodology Paper. Though, you may have appendix of some example/sample of others' works.

All the best.

I am waiting to benefit from the answers to the original inquiry. A researcher may want to make a contribution to methods that can be used to improve the validity of research findings in a particular discipline and be able to make a methodological contribution to the field. How can this be done? How should the paper be structured?

I am also planning to write a paper focusing on the methodology of my dissertation paper. I hope you were able to write yours and share it with me. My study is using a fairly new method (internet ethnography or netnography).

Did you write your methodological paper? Would be really interesting to know the outcome.

In my humble opinion a "methodological proposal" section should be the core of a methodological paper. A "case study" section should then apply the proposed methodology on a practical case to show that the methodology is useful. If a case study is not possible, an Analysis section could be used instead.

With that said, my basic structure of a methodological paper would be:

I - Introduction

II - Literature review:

It should conclude on the lack or limit of the current methodologies and justify why a new methodology is needed

III - Methodological Proposal (you can call it what name you gave to you knew methodology

It’s your new idea, the core contribution of the paper. Explain the essence of the new methodology, the steps, the expected results, the limitations...

A very simple running example can be used to better convey your points

IV - Case Study:

It applies your new methodology step by step by step and shows the results that you explain

V - Discussions:

Focuses on the evidence of what your new methodology brings compared to others and presents potential limitations if any

VI - Conclusion

You could add a Background section after the introduction if deemed necessary to help the reader better understand any background information. You could also add a “related work” section if necessary. And of course, you should be able to organize your structure in the best way that conveys your work.

Hoping that this helps

Sirgabsou Yandika Thanks you for the detailed response. It helps.

Please go through the following link

https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/methodology/#:~:text=In%20your%20thesis%20or%20dissertation,type%20of%20research%20you%20did

Thanks

Did you write your methodological paper? I am really interested to see the outcome.

Sirgabsou Yandika I took your approach and am waiting for reviewers comments

Onesimus Ayaya I hope it helps you share your work.

I will share after the peer review comments.