I’ve written before about different research topics being suitable for different people. What makes a good project for one person might be totally unsuitable for another. The same applies to specific research methodologies.
As an undergraduate I always enjoyed lab work more than lectures, so it made much more sense to do an experimental project than something more theoretical. The project was still difficult and often stressful, but I was much happier doing spanner-work than I would have been doing simulations.
So if you hate doing statistics, maybe don’t do quantitative research. If you don’t really enjoy talking to people, perhaps you shouldn’t do interviews.
Of course you can and should learn new skills and step outside your comfort zone, but it doesn’t make sense to base the bulk of your work on a research methodology that goes against your basic character.
Who you work with in your PhD is just as important as what you do
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PhD: an uncommon guide to research, writing & PhD life is your essential guide to the basic principles every PhD student needs to know.
Applicable to virtually any field of study, it covers everything from finding a research topic, getting to grips with the literature, planning and executing research and coping with the inevitable problems that arise, through to writing, submitting and successfully defending your thesis.
All the text on this site (and every word of every video script) is written by me, personally, because I enjoy writing. I enjoy the challenges of thinking deeply and finding the right words to express my ideas. I do not advocate for the use of AI in academic research and writing, except for very limited use cases.
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