Meta-Research Conference (MERE 2025)

Theme: AI in Research, Methods, Practices, and Implications

Eligibility: Open to students currently enrolled in the Research Methods course at UPF 

Aim and Scope

MERE 2025 invites meta research papers on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) shapes research workflows. We welcome studies that evaluate, compare, or critically reflect on research processes rather than only reporting domain findings. Submissions should fit at least one of the following dimensions:

1. Searching for information (e.g., search strategies, source quality, bias)

2. Formulating research (e.g., RQs, study design, prompts for ideation)

3. Data analysis (e.g., coding, statistics, modeling, reproducibility)

4. Reporting results (e.g., writing support, visuals, peer review)

Topics of Interest (include but not limited to)

• We invite submissions addressing (but not limited to) the following themes:

  • Opportunities and limitations of AI tools for information management

  • Benchmarking and assessing the quality of AI research tools

  • Approaches and benefits of integrating AI tools into research workflows

  • The role of AI in exploring and formulating research problems

  • Uses and benefits of AI tools in supporting researchers’ daily work

  • Evaluating the impact and quality of AI tools for data analysis

  • Assessment of AI tools for data processing and information management

  • Human agency and the role of AI in data processing

  • Applications of AI in data collection and preprocessing

  • The use of AI to disseminate and communicate research findings

  • AI-supported scientific writing and publication practices

  • The relationship between AI tools and scientific impact

  • AI ethics and researchers’ awareness of responsible AI use

  • AI-based visualization tools for engaging both scientific and non-scientific audiences

Important Dates (Europe/Madrid)

• Paper Submission Deadline:

  • Tuesday Group: 4 November 2025, 23:59 CET

  • Friday Group: 7 November 2025, 23:59 CET

• Reviews / Notification to Authors:

  • Tuesday Group: 11 November 2025, 23:59 CET

  • Friday Group: 14 November 2025, 23:59 CET

• Camera-Ready Submission Due:

  • Tuesday Group: 18 November 2025, 23:59 CET

  • Friday Group: 21 November 2025, 23:59 CET

• Conference Day:

  • Tuesday Group: 25 November 2025

  • Friday Group: 28 November 2025

Submission Guidelines

All papers must be original and not simultaneously submitted to another journal or conference. The following paper categories are welcome:

• Papers describing the application of AI in research within one of the following four dimensions: (1) searching for information, (2) formulating research, (3) data analysis, or (4) reporting results.

Submission Format

• Language: English

• File Type: PDF

• Template: Submissions must follow the Springer single-column format. All figures and tables should be properly numbered and referenced within the text. References should be formatted according to APA style.

• Page Length: Manuscripts should be between 8–15 pages, including references. Additional pages may be included in an Appendix for supplementary materials such as datasets, code, prompts, or detailed methodological descriptions.

How to Submit

• Submit via EasyChair under “MERE 2025 – Meta-Research Conference”.

• Provide: title, authors, affiliations, keywords (3–6), abstract (150–250 words) and PDF.

Ethics & Academic Integrity

• Clearly disclose any AI tools used (what, where in the workflow, versions, parameters, and safeguards).

• Provide data/code/prompts in an accessible repository where possible (or a detailed availability statement).

Contact

All papers should be submitted via EasyChair.

For any questions or clarifications, please contact Professor Ishari Amarasinghe at (ishari.amarasinghe@upf.edu).