Welcome to the Degree Doctor blog - structured, practical guidance for qualitative PhD researchers.
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.
Academic Conferences for Introverts: 5 tips for surviving the conference as a PhD student or early career researcher
If the thought of going to a conference gives you nightmares, if you know you’ll spend more time in your conference hotel room than actually attending sessions, you need to read this!
Shiny Object Syndrome as a PhD Student | 6 tips for dealing with a rebellious brain on your doctoral journey!
Always getting distracted and struggling to make progress on your PhD? You’ve likely got Shiny Object Syndrome!
PhD Supervision - How to deal with critical feedback that makes you want to cry
Do you want to cry when you receive a chapter draft covered in tracked changes and direct, cutting remarks? You’re not alone!
PhD Burnout in Qualitative Research: How to reduce overwhelm without losing yourself
Burnout during a qualitative PhD rarely feels dramatic at first - it creeps in as cognitive overload, perfectionism, and shapeless overwhelm. This post explores why qualitative research can feel especially heavy and how to reduce burnout by lowering cognitive load, clarifying next steps, and rebuilding momentum without panic.
How to write an abstract for your PhD thesis: what to include and how to structure it - with examples!
Writing a qualitative PhD abstract can feel impossible - how do you compress years of rich research into 250 words? This guide breaks down a clear four-part structure, shows what to include (and what to leave out), and explains how to make your contribution visible without overclaiming.
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?
Academic job interview tips
You made the shortlist, how do you stand out from the competition at interview?
How to get an academic job - completing the application
The academic job world is super competitive but these 5 tips will help you stand out from the competition!
What goes in a qualitative PhD findings chapter? Should you refer back to the literature, or leave that for the discussion?
Not sure what belongs in your findings chapter, or whether to include literature? This blogpost helps qualitative PhD researchers structure their findings with clarity and confidence.
How to structure a methodology chapter for a qualitative PhD
Your methodology chapter is not just a description of what you did. For qualitative PhD researchers, it is where you show the logic of your study and justify the decisions that shaped it.
How to Recruit Research Participants: Top tips for social science PhD students
If you need to recruit more participants for your research study, read this before you design another leaflet or post anything else on social media!
PhD Career Paths - What’s next after your doctorate?
Finishing your social sciences postgrad journey? Want to explore some options outside of academia? Read on …
Navigating Ethics in Projects with No Participants: A guide for social science postgraduate students
Just because you don’t have any participants, doesn’t mean you can skip ethics!
From findings to argument - writing a qualitative PhD discussion chapter
Writing up a discussion chapter for your qualitative PhD is like getting to the final, most challenging part of an obstacle course. I regularly see events on social media called “Tough Mudder” or “Mud Runner” where…
Critical analysis for qualitative PhD students - moving beyond description
Struggling with “be more critical” feedback in your qualitative PhD? This post explains the five stages of doctoral-level critical analysis - from description to positioning - and how to move your literature review beyond summary into confident scholarly argument.
Critical Analysis for Qualitative PhD Students: Moving beyond description
Many qualitative PhD students are told they need to “be more critical” in their literature review without anybody clearly explaining what that actually means. This post explores a more practical way to think about critical analysis using an unexpected analogy from learning to drive - helping you move from description towards interpretation, synthesis, and confident doctoral positioning.