Steve Tippins says PhD students wrongly believe their dissertation must be groundbreaking. It just needs to answer a clear research question and show you can do independent research. Medical residents don't perform surgery on their first day, and neither should you expect your dissertation to change the world.
Your dissertation does not need to change the world. It needs to get you graduated. This is the perfectionism trap. My research question isn't groundbreaking enough? These findings seem too obvious. Your dissertation is not your life's work because something about it Medical residents don't perform brain surgery in their first year. Pilots don't fly commercial jets during training. So why do PhD students think that their first major research project needs to revolutionize their field? What your dissertation actually needs to do is answer a clear research question, use appropriate methods, and demonstrate that you can conduct independent research. The real work comes after graduation. Comment help and I'll send you the link to our free dissertation Help community. You've got this.
