What this service is
Methodology consultation is a structured conversation and review focused on whether your study can actually answer the question you are asking. A methodologist examines your problem statement, objectives, design, sampling, measurement and analysis plan, and gives written, reasoned feedback you can act on.
Who it is for
- Postgraduate students preparing a thesis or dissertation proposal
- Clinicians and health professionals planning a first study
- Faculty and early-career researchers preparing protocols or grant applications
- Teams revising a protocol after ethics committee or supervisor comments
What we can help with
- Research topic refinement
- Research problem identification
- Research questions and objectives
- Conceptual framework development
- Study design consultation
- Quantitative research methodology
- Qualitative research methodology
- Mixed-methods research
- Sampling strategy
- Sample-size consultation
- Questionnaire/tool development
- Research protocol review
- Ethical research guidance
- Proposal methodology review
What the process looks like
Share your draft or idea
Send a concept note, protocol or proposal, together with any supervisor or committee feedback.
Methodological review
A specialist reads the material and checks alignment between problem, objectives, design, sampling, measurement and analysis.
Written feedback and discussion
You receive reasoned comments and options, and we talk them through so you understand the trade-offs.
You revise
You make the decisions and revise your own document. Follow-up review can be agreed within scope.
Every project is scoped before pricing. You receive the proposed scope, deliverables, timeline and fee before work begins.
What you receive
- Written methodological feedback tied to your specific document
- Clear explanation of design options and their trade-offs
- Guidance on sampling and sample-size reasoning, with assumptions stated
- Notes on ethical considerations to raise with your committee
- Practical next steps for strengthening the protocol
What we do not do
- Invent a design or data that fits a conclusion you want
- Write your proposal for you to submit as your own
- Promise ethics approval or funding
- Replace the judgement of your supervisor or ethics committee
Academic integrity
Your work. Your ideas. Expert support. RAASG supports clients in developing their own academic work. You retain authorship and academic responsibility for everything you submit. Read our full academic integrity statement.
Frequently asked questions
Can you help if I only have a rough topic?
Yes. Topic refinement is a common starting point. We help you move from a broad area to a focused, answerable question and discuss whether it is feasible in your time and resources.
Do you calculate sample sizes?
We provide sample-size consultation: identifying the right formula or approach for your design, helping you choose defensible assumptions, and documenting the reasoning so you can explain it to your committee.
Can you review a protocol my committee has already commented on?
Yes. Sharing the committee comments helps us focus the review on what needs to change.
Discuss your project with us.
Tell us what you are working on. We will review the scope and propose the most appropriate form of support.