Lessons From Doctoral Qualitative Research: Two Journeys; One Destination

In the past 20-30 years the resources covering qualitative research practices have burgeoned, including handbooks and edited collections. These offer valuable starting points for doctoral and early-career researchers, but there is also a growing demand for first-hand accounts from those who have experienced doctoral research, addressing the complexities and nuances of actual research projects. This paper is based on the experiences of two recently completed PhDs, one using grounded theory the other phenomenography. This provided the basis for the articulation of our concept of doctoral affordances – i.e. issues which can be brought to the attention of doctoral and other researchers, helping guide them through their research projects and scholarly careers. Through the lens of doctoral affordances we aim to indicate ways in which the perceptions and expectations of doctoral students can be enhanced, helping them undertake their highly individualized journeys towards a PhD.