On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the Master of Science and Doctoral Program (MD) of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a workshop on the topic “Crafting a Research Story: How to Turn Messy Literature into a Clear Research Contribution.” The workshop featured Felix Septianto, Ph.D., from The University of Queensland, Australia, as the keynote speaker. The event was held online from 09:30–11:00 WIB.
In this workshop, Felix Septianto, Ph.D., emphasized the importance of constructing a logical and cohesive research narrative through a story framework approach. He emphasized that research quality is determined not only by data and methodology, but also by the researcher’s ability to position their research within a relevant “scientific conversation.” Through this presentation, students were introduced to STORY, which consists of five main stages: Set the stage, Trace the conversation, Outline limitations, Resolve, and Yield, which help them systematically structure their argumentation to produce a clear theoretical contribution.
Furthermore, Mr. Felix emphasized that not all research gaps or new contexts automatically become scientific contributions. Quality research must demonstrate the development of theoretical understanding, whether through extension, retesting, or clarification. When explaining case examples, students are encouraged to understand that the same data can yield different contributions depending on the scientific conversation they engage in.
In this workshop, Mr. Felix also highlighted the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the research process, one example being the “Craft” platform he developed, which supports literature searches, reference management, and the development of initial research frameworks. The workshop was interactive, conducted through discussions and exploration of ideas, encouraging students to think more critically, structured, and oriented towards scientific contribution. It is hoped that MD FEB UGM students will be increasingly able to develop systematic, relevant research that makes meaningful contributions.
