Patter is having a tiny post Christmas breather. This is partly because you all are too … but it’s also because I’m in the middle of a large bit of literature work and I just need to be eyes down for the next few days…

But I did get a minute to look at what had been the most popular posts this year. Here’s your top ten.

(10) The thesis conclusion – mise en place – that’s about assembling all the bits in one place, getting ready to write

(9) How not to fail the PhD – some tips from an examiner’s perspective

(8) Not all literature reviews are the same – get clear about what you’re doing with all that reading and noting

(7) The lit review- beware the list – nothing wrong with a good list, as long as it’s not THAT chapter

(6) The PhD by publication – the first of a series of posts about this alternative genre

(5) What not to do in the thesis conclusion – some common mistakes to avoid

(4) 13 reasons why researchers get asked to write their methods chapter again – better to be forewarned

(3) Foucauldian discourse analysis – an oldie but a goodie, it’s a bit of scaffolding to get you started

(2) Seven reasons why journals reject papers – another perennial concern

And coming in right at the top…

(1) Methodology isn’t methods – an important distinction that too many people gloss over.

If you missed any of those, here they are in one handy set of links.

Seasons greetings to all.