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).
PhD Life - Are you subconsciously sabotaging your PhD? Why all doctoral students need to understand ‘fear of success’.
Are you getting in your own way when it comes to your dissertation? Here’s how to get out of it!
How to Write a Winning Research Proposal: Tips and Tricks
This blogpost explores common mistakes made when writing research proposals and provides advice on how to avoid them, with guidance from Dr. Elizabeth Yardley, an academic with 20 years of experience teaching sociology, social policy and criminology in UK universities.
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!
How to write your dissertation introduction chapter: top tips for sociology and criminology students
Not sure what to write in your introduction chapter, or how to structure it? Let me walk you through that in this blogpost!
Is it normal to hate your dissertation and pray for it to be over?
“I’ll be happy when I’ve finished my dissertation!”. If you’ve said this to yourself lately, you need to read this blogpost!
What are the aims and objectives of a social science dissertation?
Don’t know where to start with aims and objectives? By the time you’ve finished reading this blogpost, you’ll know exactly what to write!
Dissertation Literature Review First Aid
Feeling like your dissertation literature review needs some work? Check out my top tips to get it looking great!
The three different types of social science dissertation
Confused about the difference between primary, secondary, literature-based, library-based, desk-based dissertations! I was too back in my student days! That’s why I created this blogpost, that breaks it all down.
How to write your dissertation literature review
If you’re stuck on your literature review, going around in circles, you need to read this!
My dissertation supervisor is ignoring me!
If your dissertation supervisor is ignoring you, or taking an age to respond, try one - or both - of my top two tips!
What if my dissertation has already been done?
If someone else has already done a dissertation on your topic, does it mean you have to choose something else? No, it certainly doesn’t!
Four reasons why you should consider a literature-based dissertation
Literature based dissertations can be a great alternative to research-based dissertations. In this blogpost, I explain four key reasons why.
Reflexivity in qualitative research dissertations
What is reflexivity? How can you be reflexive in your qualitative dissertation?
How to be more critical in your dissertation literature review
Key questions to ask to ensure you’re being “critical” in your dissertation literature review.
Is it too late to change my dissertation topic?
Before you throw your dissertation topic into the trash, make sure you read this blogpost!
Structure and Agency explained - Theory for postgraduate social science students
What does ‘structure and agency’ actually mean? Are they opposites? Are they linked? I answer these questions - and more - in this blogpost!
I haven’t started my dissertation yet and I don’t know what to do it on!
The best social science dissertation titles contain people, an issue or interest, and a context.
Ideology explained - through ham & cheese sandwiches and running!
What is ideology all about? In this blogpost, I explain the core components of ideology - worldview, desire for action and power.
What is a conceptual framework? A simple and relatable explanation!
Conceptual framework. As a postgraduate, you’ll certainly be using one. But, what is it? Where does it go in your dissertation?
How to write a research proposal - 3 common errors to avoid!
How do you write a good research proposal? By avoiding these three common errors!