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Designing conceptual articles: four approaches

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Paper Summary

Paperzilla title
How to Write a Conceptual Paper That Won't Make Reviewers Cry

Conceptual papers need a clear research design, just like empirical ones. This paper presents four templates – Theory Synthesis, Theory Adaptation, Typology, and Model – to help researchers design robust conceptual articles and justify their choices of theories and concepts. These templates codify the tacit knowledge needed for conceptual work and address the critical issue of analytical rigor.

Explain Like I'm Five

Scientists found that even papers about ideas, not just experiments, need a good plan. This paper gives them four cool templates, like recipes, to help them make their ideas strong and clear.

Possible Conflicts of Interest

None identified

Identified Limitations

Limited Scope
The paper primarily focuses on providing a framework for designing conceptual papers, which could limit its applicability to empirical research.
Lack of Depth
While the paper discusses four types of research design, it doesn't delve into the nuances of each type, which could leave some readers wanting more.
Lack of Novel Empirical Findings
The paper relies on existing literature and examples, without presenting new empirical data or findings.

Rating Explanation

This paper offers a valuable resource for researchers struggling with conceptual papers. The framework, examples, and focus on methodological rigor fill a gap in the existing literature. While it doesn't introduce groundbreaking new theories or empirical findings, its contribution to enhancing research practices in conceptual work is significant. Minor limitations include the scope and depth of discussion regarding the nuances of each design type.

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File Information

Original Title: Designing conceptual articles: four approaches
Uploaded: July 14, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Privacy: Public