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
Writing Your PhD Methodology Chapter? 7 things to understand about qualitative research methodology
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.
Is qualitative research less rigorous? Debunking the myth in your PhD
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.
Struggling with qualitative research? 4 common problems and how to handle them
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Paradigms in social science, a beginner’s guide to positivism, interpretivism and critical realism
If you are trying to understand paradigms in social science research, there is a good chance you have already disappeared down an internet rabbit hole involving words like ontology, epistemology, positivism, interpretivism, and critical realism… and emerged slightly dazed wondering whether everyone else somehow already understands this.