Welcome to the Degree Doctor blog – where we keep it real about PhD life.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, behind, or like everyone else has it figured out but you – you’re in the right place.
Here you'll find honest advice, practical tips, and a whole lot of reassurance to help you stay calm, focused, and on track.
Click on the categories below to find blogs on specific topics or just scroll on down and have a look at the most recent posts!
Let’s make this PhD journey a bit less stressful (and a lot more doable).
Reflexive Thematic Analysis: A step-by-step beginner guide
Struggling to make sense of your qualitative data? Here’s how Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis can help you turn messy transcripts into meaningful themes.
Struggling with IPA in your PhD? Here's what you need to know
Wondering what Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis is all about? Or started an IPA study and got massively stuck?! Don’t worry, these FAQs will help you out.
Is qualitative research really “less rigorous”? Let’s settle this once and for all
If you’ve ever worried that your qualitative PhD research isn’t “rigorous enough,” this blog will help you stop comparing it to quant and start feeling confident in what you’re actually doing.
Don’t Panic! 4 Common Qualitative Research Struggles (and how to fix them)
Struggling to decipher your qualitative data? You’re not alone!
Reflexive Thematic Analysis vs Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Which should you use?
Struggling to choose between Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)? This blog explains the key differences with examples, so you can choose the right method for your qualitative PhD research.
Stuck on Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis? Here’s how to actually build your themes
Stuck on themes in Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis? Wondering where to begin? Keep reading!
Semi-Structured Interviews: A beginner’s guide for qualitative PhD research
What are semi-structured interviews? How do they differ from structured or unstructured interviews? Keep reading!
How to write up your Braun and Clarke Reflexive Thematic Analysis (without losing your mind)
Struggling to write up your Braun and Clarke reflexive thematic analysis? Keep reading!
Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis for Beginners
What’s IPA all about, and should you consider it for your analysis?
Mixed methods research designs for beginners
Scratching your head about mixed methods? Not for much longer, keep reading…
Thematic analysis coding - how to code qualitative data using Braun & Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA)
Wondering if you’re coding “properly”? Keep reading, and learn more about the Braun and Clarke approach to coding in Reflexive Thematic Analysis.
Constructivist Grounded Theory - A simple introduction to Kathy Charmaz’s approach
Constructivist Grounded Theory - what’s it all about? How is Kathy Charmaz’s approach different from traditional Grounded Theory? Keep reading…
Research questions for qualitative research - how to develop them, with templates and examples
Qualitative research questions, how should you write them? What shouldn’t you do? Keep reading for ideas, templates and examples!
Ethnographic Content Analysis - a step-by-step guide for beginners
Ethnographic content analysis, what’s it all about? Keep reading!
Classical Grounded Theory
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 Thematic Analysis | Frequently asked questions about paradigms, reflexivity, going deeper and theory
Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis, so many questions! I’m answering four of the most frequent ones in this blogpost, so keep reading!
Braun and Clarke Thematic Analysis - How to do the six-step process in your qualitative research project
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…
What’s the difference between qualitative and quantitative research interviews?
How are qualitative interviews different from quantitative interviews? Keep reading to find out!
How to do Ethnography: Top tips for graduate school PhD students
Considering ethnography? Read my top tips on how to do it properly and ethically!
The basics of qualitative research - a guide for PhD researchers
Subjectivity, validity and reliability - what do they mean for qualitative research? Keep reading, and I’ll explain …