Maybe you’re questioning your analysis right now. “Is this good enough?”, “Are my themes strong enough?”. One of the most uncomfortable parts of qualitative analysis is that nobody can give you a neat, reassuring answer to your question: “Is this right?”

If you’re preparing to write your PhD methodology chapter and feeling uncertain about research design, paradigms, or how to justify your approach, this article walks you through seven foundational principles that clarify what methodology is really doing.

Staring at transcripts and unsure how to turn them into themes? This step-by-step guide to Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis explains how to code, construct themes, and write up with clarity and confidence.

Collected your IPA interviews and now unsure what to do next? This post explains how to analyse, interpret, and write up Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis with clarity and confidence.

Ever wondered if your qualitative PhD is “rigorous enough”? Let’s unpack where that doubt comes from and what rigour actually looks like in qualitative research.

If your qualitative data feels messy, contradictory, or impossible to write up, you’re not alone. Here are four common struggles and what to do about them.

RTA and IPA both use coding and themes, but they’re built for different kinds of qualitative questions. Here’s how to choose the right one for your PhD.

Staring at 200 codes and wondering how to turn them into actual themes? This guide breaks down how to move from messy coding to clear, defensible themes in Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis - without second-guessing yourself.

Clear, practical guide to semi-structured interviews for qualitative PhD research. Learn how to design your interview guide, avoid common mistakes, and build a coherent research method.

Writing up Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis? Here’s how to structure your findings chapter clearly, interpret confidently, and show doctoral-level rigour.

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) can sound intimidating, but it’s fundamentally about exploring how people make sense of meaningful experiences. This beginner’s guide explains when to use IPA and how the analysis process works.

What is mixed methods research and should you use it in your PhD? This guide explains common mixed methods designs and when combining qualitative and quantitative approaches actually makes sense.

Struggling with coding in Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis? Learn how to code qualitative data step-by-step with practical examples.

Confused by constructivist grounded theory? This beginner-friendly guide explains Kathy Charmaz’s approach to qualitative research in simple terms - from coding to theory development.

Not sure what Ethnographic Content Analysis (ECA) is - or whether you need it? This guide explains ECA clearly while helping qualitative PhD researchers understand how it fits into broader qualitative thinking.

Classical grounded theory. What’s this qualitative method all about? What are some of its key principles and ideas? Keep reading and I’ll explain!

Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis is one of the most popular techniques for analysing qualitative data. But, how do you do it? Let me walk you through it…

Considering ethnography? Read my top tips on how to do it properly and ethically!

Subjectivity, validity and reliability - what do they mean for qualitative research? Keep reading, and I’ll explain …

If you need to recruit more participants for your research study, read this before you design another leaflet or post anything else on social media!