Steve Tippins Ph.D.Helping doctoral students get their dissertation accepted, succeed in their careers, & change the world | Academic Career Advisor | Dissertation Chair & Founder, Beyond PhD Coaching | 35 + years of experience.

POV: Your Research Gap is Your Understanding Gap

2 May 2026 · 0 min

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0:23

In this brief monologue, the speaker shares a personal moment of self‑doubt during research, acknowledging that questioning one’s competence is normal. He encourages listeners to accept the discomfort of struggling, to actively practice presenting their work with friends, partners, and supportive peers, and to recognize that progress comes from interpersonal interaction rather than isolated effort. The core message is that the research gap reflects an understanding gap that can be narrowed through collaborative dialogue and repeated practice.

Right in the middle, I figured out, "Oh, do I really know what I'm doing?" And it's okay. It's okay to struggle a little bit. It's okay to think about things a little bit. Do presentations with friends and partners and other people who are interested in helping you discuss things, because that's what's going to help you do this and make it. You know, the world hasn't changed in a silo. We need interaction with other people.