Welcome to my PhD blog
Worried you're doing your PhD all wrong and someone's about to find out? You're in the right place. 😂
In this blog, I cover all the stuff you might need help with. Like writing your literature review, doing your qualitative data analysis, developing your discussion chapter, and trying not to go completely bonkerpants in the process.
I'll help you work out HOW to do all those things everyone keeps telling you to do.
Expect practical PhD advice, based on the unspoken truth that nobody's PhD is nearly as neat as their finished thesis makes it look.
Have a nosey at the latest posts below, or browse by topic to find what you need.
Qualitative Methods | Literature Review | Methodology | Planning and Organisation | Writing Up | Supervision | PhD Mindset | Paradigms, Conceptual and Theoretical Frameworks
Conceptual framework, methodology and analysis: what’s the difference?
Conceptual framework, methodology and analysis. Ping-pong, back and forth you go, wondering what belongs where and if you’re just going to end up with three identical paragraphs that will give your examiner a black cat moment when they read your thesis (Matrix analogy, sorry-not-sorry).
How much theory do you need in a theoretical framework? A guide for qualitative PhD researchers
Theory can be a strange thing when you’re doing a qualitative study for your PhD, it can really boggle your brain. Trying to come up with a theoretical framework will send you down all kinds of rabbit holes and you’ll lose hours and days of your life that you’ll never get back.
Conceptual vs theoretical frameworks in a qualitative PhD: when you need each one (and where they belong)
Conceptual and theoretical frameworks are often treated as interchangeable in PhD advice - but they do different jobs. This guide explains the difference, when you need each one in a qualitative PhD, and how they show up across your thesis without creating unnecessary confusion.
Conceptual vs theoretical frameworks in a qualitative PhD: what’s the difference? And why students get stuck
Conceptual and theoretical frameworks are often treated as interchangeable in PhD advice - but they do very different jobs. This post explains the distinction, why qualitative PhD students get stuck, and how frameworks evolve as your thinking deepens.
Critical Theory for Beginners: what it is, why it matters, and how to use it in your PhD
What is critical theory, and how can you use it coherently in your qualitative PhD? This guide explains its foundations, its focus on power and inequality, and how to apply it rigorously in your research design.
Conceptual frameworks in qualitative research
Confused about conceptual frameworks in qualitative research? Learn what they are, why they matter for PhDs, and how to build one clearly and confidently.
Postmodernism for beginners - a simple explanation
What is postmodernism? A clear, jargon-free explanation of postmodern theory for PhD students, with practical examples for qualitative research.
Ontology, epistemology, and paradigms - What are they, and how much should you write about them in your PhD thesis?
A clear, practical explanation of ontology, epistemology and paradigms for PhD students, plus exactly where they belong in your thesis and how much you actually need to write.
PhD research paradigms in the social sciences, made simple (for qualitative researchers)
Confused about paradigms in your qualitative PhD? Here’s a clear, practical guide to the main paradigms, how to spot your “leaning”, and how to contrast it with others in your methodology chapter.
Critical Realism in Qualitative Research: What it is and how to use it in a PhD
Learn what critical realism means in qualitative research and how it shapes research design, analysis and interpretation in a PhD.
Positivism vs Post Positivism
Ever wondered about the difference between positivism and post-positivism? Or how each could shape your research? Paradigms can be a big sticking point for PhD students, and getting clear on where your research fits within these frameworks can be a game-changer.
Pragmatism in qualitative research: what it means for your PhD (and how to use it)
If you’re considering pragmatism for your qualitative PhD, this post will help you understand what it offers - and what you still need in place to keep your research coherent and grounded.
Paradigms, Theories, and Frameworks in Qualitative Research
Paradigms, theories, and frameworks aren’t just terminology - they shape how your qualitative research works. This guide helps you see how they fit together and what matters for your PhD.
Grand Theory in Qualitative Research: What it is and how to use it without getting lost
Grand theory can feel distant from qualitative research - but it doesn’t have to be. This blogpost shows you how to work with big theoretical ideas without losing the nuance of your data.
How to choose theories for your theoretical framework as a qualitative researcher
Choosing theories for your theoretical framework can feel overwhelming. This guide helps qualitative PhD researchers move from doubt to clarity by focusing on alignment, not “getting it right.”
Writing about your research paradigm in a qualitative PhD - where it goes and what to say
Not sure where to write about your research paradigm in a qualitative PhD? This blogpost explains how paradigms shape your thesis and how to integrate them clearly across chapters without repetition.
Conceptual vs theoretical framework
Conceptual vs theoretical framework - what’s the difference, and do you actually need both? If you’ve ever felt unsure, slightly confused, or like something might be missing from your thesis, this guide walks you through it clearly using a qualitative example.
Critical Realism - A simple explanation for beginners
Understanding critical realism is one thing - applying it in your qualitative PhD is another. This post explains the key ideas clearly while showing how they shape real research decisions. For researchers who want more than a surface-level explanation.
Interpretivism vs Positivism | A simple explanation of interpretivist vs positivist research for beginners
Not sure whether your research is positivist or interpretivist? This clear, no-jargon guide helps qualitative researchers understand the difference - and where they fit.
Positivism in Research: What qualitative PhD researchers need to understand
Positivism isn’t your approach - but understanding it can sharpen your qualitative research. This guide helps you see what positivism is, and what your work is not.