Protecting PhD Progress
Welcome to the blog
If you’ve landed here on my blog homepage, you may already know the feeling of working hard on your qualitative PhD without being convinced you’re actually moving forwards.
That uncertainty often shows up as a literature review that feels out of control, analysis that doesn’t feel quite “good” or “strong” enough, and a discussion chapter that leaves you wondering, “What am I actually allowed to claim here anyway?”.
The good news is that if you’re experiencing any of the above, you’re likely in the middle of the deep work - where things naturally get very messy. Some of the most intellectually productive stages of the PhD look completely chaotic from the outside. My goal here on the blog is to keep you moving through them and towards completion.
Each blogpost is designed to help you think more clearly, work more deliberately, and move your research forward with greater confidence.
You can explore by category below, or start with the latest posts.
Qualitative Methods | Literature Review | Methodology | Planning and Organisation | Writing Up | Supervision | PhD Mindset | Paradigms, Conceptual and Theoretical Frameworks
Why your aims, objectives, and research questions never seem to click in your qualitative PhD
Many PhD students feel like they are repeating themselves when writing research aims, objectives, and research questions. The real issue is usually structural, not stylistic. This article explains how these elements work together to create a coherent qualitative research design.
Writing a PhD research proposal? Use these three sentences to make it clear and persuasive
If your PhD proposal feels vague or overcomplicated, these three key sentences will instantly make it clearer, stronger, and easier to approve.
How to write a qualitative PhD introduction chapter (with examples)
Not sure what goes in a PhD introduction chapter? Here’s a clear six-part structure with examples to help you draft it with confidence.
Research gaps in qualitative research: why it’s not really about “finding a gap”
Is your PhD supposed to “find a research gap”? In qualitative research the answer is more complicated. Learn how qualitative studies contribute to academic conversations.
Qualitative Research Questions - How to develop clear, focused questions (with examples)
Struggling to write qualitative research questions that actually make sense? This guide shows you how to develop clear, focused questions with practical examples and templates.
How to narrow your qualitative PhD topic without getting stuck - a clear approach using the PIC strategy (people, issue / interest, context)
Narrowing your qualitative PhD topic isn’t about finding the “perfect” title. It’s about giving your thinking enough structure to move forward. This post shows you how to use PIC (People, Issue, Context) to develop a focused, workable topic without closing things down too early.
How to write aims and objectives for a qualitative PhD study
Aims and objectives aren’t just formalities. They reflect how clearly you understand your research. This guide shows qualitative PhD researchers how to develop them with precision and confidence.