Introduction to the software
The Idea Puzzle software is a decision-making tool that helps PhD candidates improve the coherence of a research proposal, article, or thesis in the light of Philosophy of Science (Morais & Brailsford, 2019). It also helps review the strengths and weaknesses of a research project in any field of knowledge (Parente & Ferro, 2016). To date, it has helped design more than 7000 research projects worldwide.
The Idea Puzzle software poses 21 questions, helps answer them, and allows the self-evaluation of each answer in terms of decision-making status. The output is a research design with 21 answers, an overall score, and a coloured jigsaw puzzle of progress that can be shared in PDF or in Word. The help function of the Idea Puzzle software includes definitions, introductions, tips, and bibliography as well as examples of research designs that won the Idea Puzzle Prize.
In 2023, the Idea Puzzle software was a finalist of the Sage 15K GBP Concept Grant from a total of 89 research software tools. The jury considered the theoretical framework of 21 decisions unique and praised the way the Idea Puzzle software helps PhD candidates design their research. In the same year, Sage Research Methods Community published an article on research design with the Idea Puzzle software (Morais, 2023).
Individual free access or individual subscription
The access to the Idea Puzzle software is exclusively online, without installation on the computer, after allowing pop-up windows in your Internet browser. Register with an email from a licensed university to have free access to the Idea Puzzle software or with another email to subscribe it individually (19 euros per year).
License for the university and Idea Puzzle workshop
The license for the university (1000 euros per year) gives free access to the Idea Puzzle software to all users of your university email domain and makes PhD candidates eligible for the Idea Puzzle Prize. Some universities also offer the workshop 'Research design with the Idea Puzzle software' to their PhD candidates.