It seems to me this is the link in question:
http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5020646,00.html

Indeed, yes. I linked it in the question, but for some reason the link got omitted by mistake.

On a quick reading, I have several comments:
1. This is not research on prayer but research on the attitude of medieval authorities (Rishonim) toward prayer. Research on prayer would have to examine in practice whether prayers are effective.
2. The conception he presents in the name of Maimonides is completely absurd. Prayer contains requests, and we say them in order to be answered, not in order to change ourselves (unless that change will bring about the desired benefit, in which case we have arrived at Rabbi Joseph Albo).
3. The very idea of prayers being answered expresses divine involvement on the part of the Holy One, blessed be He, which I don’t really accept (unless the change created in me produces the result on its own).
4. The deterministic proposal is part of the determinism of Rabbi Hasdai Crescas, which in general seems to me plainly mistaken.
So we are left with the approach of Rabbi Joseph Albo, that the change that occurs in me causes the prayers to be realized. That is possible, but even if so, it should be examined empirically (whether this in fact happens).

Thank you very much for these remarks!

Hello and blessings,
I was informed of the existence of this discussion, and although I do have what to say, I do not see much point in doing so, because the issues are far more complex than could be presented in a very short interview on Ynet. I recommend that anyone interested look at my master’s thesis, attached here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx9U2ftDJ9_wQ0NHYmhaVlZuY2c/view?usp=sharing

Thank you very much to Rabbi Abraham Stav for directing us to the full file of his master’s thesis on the nature of prayer!