Welcome to the Degree Doctor blog - structured, practical guidance for qualitative PhD researchers.
If you’ve ever looked at your work and thought, “This isn’t quite coming together…”
If you’ve done the reading, but still feel unsure how to translate it into clear, confident writing.
If you’re making progress, but not in a way that feels coherent or fully convincing.
There’s a reason for this - you’re working within a process that is rarely made visible, and that’s not your fault.
This blog focuses on the points where qualitative PhDs most often slow down - literature reviews that lose shape, discussion chapters that feel difficult to articulate, methodology decisions that are hard to justify, and the ongoing pressure of working at doctoral level without clear structure.
Each blogpost is designed to help you think more clearly, work more deliberately, and move your research forward with greater confidence.
You’ll find guidance on:
Structuring and writing your thesis with clarity
Developing stronger critical analysis and contribution
Refining your conceptual and theoretical foundations
Making sense of qualitative methodology and interpretation
Managing the intellectual and psychological demands of doctoral research
You can explore by category below, or start with the latest posts.
The aim is not to do more - it is to work with greater clarity, stronger reasoning, and a more structured approach - so your PhD becomes something you can explain, defend, and complete with confidence.
How to write a thesis introduction chapter | How masters and PhD students can impress their examiner from the start!
Not sure where to start with your Introduction chapter? Don’t worry, you soon will!
Reflective Writing for Qualitative PhD Researchers: How to write reflectively and reflexively with examples
Reflective writing in a qualitative PhD isn’t about journaling - it’s about making your thinking visible. This guide shows you how to write reflexively with clarity, structure, and confidence.
What is Ethnomethodology? Key principles and ideas from Harold Garfinkel
Ethnomethodology. What’s it all about?! Keep reading to learn more!
What is Phenomenology? Origins, Concepts and Development of the Theory: An introduction for PhD students.
What exactly is phenomenology? Get ready to find out, and learn some cool new words in the process!
Ethical ChatGPT commands for PhD students | Enhance your literature review with these game changing prompts
Can you use ChatGPT in your PhD literature review whilst staying in integrity? I think you CAN, and in this blogpost, I’ll share three game changing, ethical commands with you.
The 3 Habits of Successful PhD Students: Game changing hacks for all doctoral candidates
These three habits will get you back on track with your PhD, and they’re not what you might expect!
PhD Procrastination: If you’re putting off dissertation tasks, here’s why! It’s not just about motivation!
Procrastination isn’t just about motivation - it goes much deeper than that!
ChatGPT for PhD Literature Review Writer’s Block: Use AI without compromising your ethics and integrity!
So, you can type a prompt into ChatGPT to help with your PhD literature review, and that’s perfectly okay?! Keep reading …
What’s the difference between qualitative and quantitative research interviews?
How are qualitative interviews different from quantitative interviews? Keep reading to find out!
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.
How to do Ethnography: Top tips for graduate school PhD students
Considering ethnography? Read my top tips on how to do it properly and ethically!
The basics of qualitative research - a guide for PhD researchers
Subjectivity, validity and reliability - what do they mean for qualitative research? Keep reading, and I’ll explain …
How to do a PhD literature review properly? Be intentional and critical! Steal my strategy and templates!
Up-level your literature review with my 5 top tips!
How to plan your academic year as a PhD student - don’t plan anything until you’ve done THIS!
There’s one thing most people forget to do when planning their year, keep reading to find out what it is!
Chat GPT for PhD Dissertation Students - Enhance your literature review whilst retaining research integrity and ethics
Can you use ChatGPT ethically in your PhD literature review? YES! You absolutely can!
Ontology and Epistemology: The foundations of academic research explained
Struggling to get your head around ontology and epistemology? Don’t worry, this blogpost will help you understand them!
Getting Ethical Approval for your PhD Research Project: Three key questions to ask
Is the ethical approval process boggling your mind? Don’t worry, I have three simple questions you can ask yourself to check you’re being ethically excellent in your approach!
Reflective and Reflexive Thinking in PhD Research
Reflective and reflexive. Are they they same thing? How can you use them in your PhD research? Read on to find out!
How to crush your PhD without being a perfectionist!
Ever spent hours fretting over a paragraph? Ever hesitated to send a draft to your supervisor because it’s “not ready yet” (even though it’s fine!)? Then you might be a little bit of a perfectionist!
Crafting a Focused PhD or Masters Degree Literature Review: How many headings?
How many headings should you have in your literature review? Keep reading to find out!