PhD Discussion Forum

Hi Experienced PhDers

For about a month now I've felt stuck. Basically, I am in a position where I really need to redevelop my proposal. I am well into my 2nd year. My first study (of an anticipated 3 studies) is done, and the results of it though interesting mean that the original plan for the next few studies can no longer be carried out.

My supervisors are expecting 1) an updated proposal and 2) detailed plans of the next study. There are time constraints (my research is with children in schools and I need to get ethics submitted so I can recruit and get in the schools and collect data before the Summer holidays). The idea was to develop the proposal... come up with some new ideas.

The problem is - I've spent over a month what feels like "messing around" and accomplishing nothing (in reality I've read a fair bit, been working really hard at trying to do this, and come up with a few research questions that seem interesting/rubbish [depending on my perspective that day] - but still have no a broader plan for the rest of the PhD).

If anyone can offer me some words of encouragement and/or advice I would really appreciate it.

Tudor

If you are reading up on current research and trying to come up with ideas then it sounds like you are doing exactly what you need to be doing. Are you trying to come up with one mind blowing idea? If so you might want to try and either break that down or come up with smaller ideas while you allow your brain the time to come up with bigger ones. It could be a patience problem or it could be that you are starting to worry about your deadline. None of those are ideal places to be mentally but it can be impossible to ignore them. Does any of that feel familiar?

Tudor Queen, I am not sure of the methodology that you are using but is your primary proposal focused on testing a central hypothesis or is it exploratory. If it is an exploratory study with some qualitative data, then your proposal can be based on questions that help you explore the topic. So given that the first study is interesting but not what you expected, do any questions arise or does this change the sorts of questions you might ask in the next study.

By questions, I am not talking about survey questions for the students (if you are doing surveys) but questions like:How does using BIggle Boggs reading program impact on children's word fluency in their first year of education ? This could be part of a bigger question in your whole thesis that addresses-what impacts do early childhood reading programs have on second language speakers in year 3 and 4? (Pulling any old idea out of a hat at the moment-so it might not make sense).

My data fell through in what would have been the second year of my thesis (part time) due to participant apathy and in desperation I created a data set and question that was fairly out of left field (and only sort of related) but actually makes sense now. However, it has meant that I have added an extra research question into the whole thesis.

So where I had two primary questions I was hoping to address, I now have three. The thesis addresses all three questions but that actual central idea or different piece of knowledge that really ties it together only developed after I had collected, analysed and written up all three data sections and then when I was writing the discussion and conclusion chapter I got what it was really all about. So changed my title-reworked in the extra question, reorganised chapters to make it seamless, rather than clunky , etc. I don't think this is uncommon but it is scary while you are going through the process. You will get there, be kind to yourself and just keep swimming.

My main supervisor has always provided emotional support in that she has listened sympathetically to my issues throughout the thesis. The other supervisor is better for a sort of friendly, non emotional, brisk feedback on aspects of chapter drafts or other structural matters-but I only see her very occasionally as she is so busy. However, with regard to finding solutions and anything else, I have been on my own. First supervisor will extend thinking or seek to clarify when I present ideas and provide feedback to my written work regularly. I haven't always been able to access them though. My meetings with first supervisor are generally one meeting every 8 weeks (it would be four weekly if I were full time). In between that time I have just been working on my own.

During my data collection when things went pear shaped (as it does with data at times), I pretty much came up with solutions, trials and tried to dig my way out of the hole I was in by myself. It was more like first supervisor was peering over the top of the hole going 'you can do it come on'-metaphorically speaking, but not acting or throwing in a rope to help. Does this make sense? it was hard-still is hard but I'm now at the stage when I can see the finish line in the distance and believe it has been worth it. (Although I might change my mind after examination results-that is probably much later on at the end of this year if I can keep to my current timeline). Best wishes...it is a tough time...

PS: I thought I might add also that neither supervisors have expertise in my topic. Their areas are quite different. I was assigned main supervisor based on availability and some very general similarities and second supervisor came in when another senior person who was assigned to be on my panel moved on.

No I don't have a mentor in my area at all really. It has been quite an isolated study with regard to that...I discuss the topic occasionally with other professionals or friends when they ask, but not for long as it can become too involved. I mainly get to share if I present to others. And that is more about methods or practice, or one of the outlier subsidiary topics not the main one. It has been a bit difficult in respect to that...however, I think my topic is worth it and now I am coming close to the end, my supervisors certainly seem to think so as well. Time will tell I guess...

Really glad to be able to report that this is coming together a bit now (although I myself am falling apart it seems!).

It's completely normal to feel stuck and overwhelmed during the PhD journey, especially when facing unexpected challenges like having to redevelop your research proposal. Remember that setbacks and revisions are part of the research process.

To move forward, I suggest taking the following steps:

1. Communicate with your supervisors: Share your concerns and the challenges you've encountered. They are there to support you and can provide guidance and suggestions for overcoming obstacles.

2. Reflect on your first study: Analyze the results and identify the key findings and implications. Consider how these findings can shape the direction of your next studies and inform the updated proposal.

3. Brainstorm and generate new ideas: Explore different research questions, methodologies, or angles that align with your previous work and interests. Engage in discussions with peers, attend seminars or conferences, and seek inspiration from related literature.

4. Seek input from others: Collaborate with colleagues or reach out to experienced researchers in your field for their insights and feedback. Their perspectives can help you refine your ideas and provide fresh perspectives.

5. Break down the tasks: Create a clear timeline and set achievable goals for each step of the process, including updating the proposal and developing detailed plans for the next study. Breaking it down into smaller tasks can make it more manageable and less overwhelming.