contend

verb

1. 1

   To strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.

2. 2

   To struggle or exert oneself to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.

3. 3

   To strive in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue.

4. 4

   To believe (something is reasonable) and argue (for it); to advocate.

   “In this paper the author contends that no useful results can be obtained if this method is used.”