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).
No time to write your PhD? Try this 3-step fix
Think you need a full day to get writing done on your PhD thesis? Think again. These three small changes will help you write more, stress less, and finally see progress - even on your busiest weeks.
PhD student with writer’s block? Here’s how to write more (even when you don’t feel like it)
Struggling to write your thesis? If you're a PhD student battling writer’s block, this blog shares three practical ways to write more — without waiting for motivation to show up.
3 sentences you must include in your PhD discussion chapter - and why they matter
Stuck on your PhD discussion chapter? Start with these three sentences…
How to be more critical in your PhD discussion chapter
How do you write a critical discussion chapter in your PhD?
You’ve slogged through the data. You’ve coded. You’ve themed. You’ve stared at your transcripts so long they now haunt your dreams. And now… it’s time to write the discussion chapter.
How to reduce the wordcount when you’ve written too much!
Gone over the wordcount again?! Here’s how to cut it down without losing anything vital…
Qualitative Researcher’s Dilemma: Which quotes should I leave out?! Five ways to decide
Qualitative researchers often struggle in deciding which participant quotes to incude, and which to leave out of their findings chatpter. How do you choose?! Keep reading…
Thesis writing - if you’re not doing THIS, your examiner won’t like it!
Writing up your masters or PhD thesis can feel like a bit of a mystery. Like you have to take on a whole other persona and write like a "smart" person. First up, you are a smart person. Second, despite that, you're probably not doing this...
Academic writing for graduate students | 4 top tips to be a better writer
Struggling to write up your PhD? Read on!
How to write an abstract for your PhD thesis: what to include and how to structure it - with examples!
Learn the key things to include in your PhD abstract, and the order to present them in!
What to write in your PhD thesis acknowledgements section: who to thank and how to thank them
Not sure what to write in your PhD thesis acknowledgments section?
Writing up Mixed Methods Data: Qualitative and quantitative - separate or together?
Not sure how to write up your mixed methods study?
What goes in my dissertation findings chapter? Should I refer back to the literature or not?
Should you refer back to the literature in your findings chapter?
Crafting a Compelling Quantitative Findings Chapter: Strategies for Success
The quantitative findings chapter of your research paper or dissertation holds a pivotal role in conveying the essence of your study. This section serves as the platform where your data takes centre stage …
7 Key Tips for Presenting Qualitative Data in Your Findings Chapter
Presenting qualitative data in your findings chapter can be a challenging yet essential part of your research journey. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just starting out …
Nailing Your PhD Discussion Chapter (without losing your mind)
There’s one major thing students always do, which screws up their discussion chapter, and I’m going to tell you how to avoid it!
How to write academically when you’re not an academic person: tips for social science dissertation students
If you’ve ever said to yourself, “I can’t write academically!”, then you need to read this blogpost. It’s easier than you think, and I’ll show you how!