Welcome to my PhD blog
Worried you're doing your PhD all wrong and someone's about to find out? You're in the right place. 😂
In this blog, I cover all the stuff you might need help with. Like writing your literature review, doing your qualitative data analysis, developing your discussion chapter, and trying not to go completely bonkerpants in the process.
I'll help you work out HOW to do all those things everyone keeps telling you to do.
Expect practical PhD advice, based on the unspoken truth that nobody's PhD is nearly as neat as their finished thesis makes it look.
Have a nosey at the latest posts below, or browse by topic to find what you need.
Qualitative Methods | Literature Review | Methodology | Planning and Organisation | Writing Up | Supervision | PhD Mindset | Paradigms, Conceptual and Theoretical Frameworks
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.
How to choose theories for your theoretical framework as a qualitative researcher
Choosing theories for your theoretical framework can feel overwhelming. This guide helps qualitative PhD researchers move from doubt to clarity by focusing on alignment, not “getting it right.”
Thematic Literature Review: How to decide what not to include - a guide for qualitative researchers
A thematic literature review isn’t about including everything - it’s about including what matters. This blogpost helps you decide what to leave out without second-guessing yourself.
How to be more critical in a thematic literature review - a guide for qualitative researchers
Being “more critical” isn’t about tearing studies apart. This guide shows qualitative PhD researchers how to move from summary to meaningful analysis in a thematic literature review.
Ethnographic Content Analysis (ECA) for qualitative PhD researchers
Not sure what Ethnographic Content Analysis (ECA) is - or whether you need it? This guide explains ECA clearly while helping qualitative PhD researchers understand how it fits into broader qualitative thinking.
PhD Feedback Anxiety: How to send drafts to your supervisor without spiraling
Sending a draft chapter to your PhD supervisor can feel far more exposing than it should. This post explores why feedback anxiety runs so deep in a qualitative PhD - and how to loosen its grip.
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.
What to do when there is little or no literature on your qualitative research topic (thematic literature review guide)
Can’t find literature for your qualitative research topic? This post shows you how to work with limited or scattered sources and begin building a thematic literature review that actually holds together. For PhD researchers who want more than quick fixes.
Six tips to pass your PhD viva - a guide for qualitative doctoral candidates
Preparing for your PhD viva can feel daunting - especially in qualitative research. These six grounded, practical tips will help you approach it with clarity and confidence.
Classical Grounded Theory
Classical grounded theory. What’s this qualitative method all about? What are some of its key principles and ideas? Keep reading and I’ll explain!
Conceptual vs theoretical framework
Conceptual vs theoretical framework - what’s the difference, and do you actually need both? If you’ve ever felt unsure, slightly confused, or like something might be missing from your thesis, this guide walks you through it clearly using a qualitative example.
Why is a literature review so important in academic research?
Why do a literature review? I know, sounds like a stupid question, but it’s an important one!
Braun and Clarke Thematic Analysis - How to do the six-step process in your qualitative research project
Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis is one of the most popular techniques for analysing qualitative data. But, how do you do it? Let me walk you through it…
Thematic Literature Review - How to write one without getting into a mess
How do you write a thematic literature review that actually holds together? This guide shows you how to move from scattered reading to a structured, coherent set of themes. Ideal for qualitative PhD researchers working through the messy middle of their literature review.
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.
Thematic Literature Reviews - How to develop an initial set of themes
Not sure where to start with your thematic literature review? An initial set of themes is a good place to begin.
How to Write a Qualitative PhD Research Proposal: Structure, strategy, and what reviewers look for
Writing a research proposal for a qualitative study? This guide walks you through a simple four-part structure (introduction, foundations, methodology, feasibility) and shows you how to make your research problem, approach, and contribution easier for reviewers to say yes to.
Thematic literature reviews and chronological literature reviews. What’s the difference? Which one should you choose for your PhD literature review?
Thematic or chronological? Are you considering one of these structures for your literature review? Understand the difference between them and which works best for your study.