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Background: Methodological research (MR) aims to develop, evaluate, refine, guide, or implement research methods or synthesize existing MR. In the context of health research, many types of MR are published in journals, but their definitions, boundaries, and terminology are inconsistent and unclear.

Aim/scientific question: To propose an initial version of a new typology of MR.

Material & Methods: An international team of 11 methodologists developed the typology through a consensus process that included multiple rounds of discussion, feedback. We tested the typology by applying it to 52 MR papers published in 26 journals . For each type of MR, we provided a definition, examples, possible labels, and clarified boundaries between types. We made subjective decisions explicitly and recorded consensus and remaining disagreements.

Resultes: We defined types of MR along two cross-cutting dimensions: approach (“How can we answer MR questions?”) and purpose (“What is the MR question?”). Approach-based types include theorybased MR; simulation studies, MR based on real datasets, reliability and agreement studies, consensus, meta-epidemiological studies, qualitative studies involving researchers, and syntheses of MR. Purpose-based types include identifying available methods, proposing a new method, comparing the performance of existing methods, summarizing MR, assessing methodological practice, developing guidance for applying, reporting or assessing methods, and methodological implementation science. The testing revealed challenging types and grey areas related to current reporting of MR. At the conference, we will present the latest version of the typology and discuss possible applications and research needs in the field of MR.

Discussion: The proposed typology provides a structured framework for classifying MR, helping to clarify terminology and highlight the diversity of approaches and purposes in this field. By making definitions and boundaries explicit, it supports more consistent communication and understanding of MR. Further user-testing is needed to refine and validate its categories.

Take Home Message: The new typology uncovers a broad spectrum of available types of MR and provides clarity for those who plan and perform methodological research. The open web format encourages further development and international collaboration.

Competing interests: None to declare.