One of the hardest things for some researchers (including myself) is getting to the big picture. This might be an overarching research question for your research, a way of describing the research that you do that encompasses all of your work, or just getting to a broad enough contribution statement (or so what?!) in an article or your book. If you’re struggling with one of these big picture tasks, I want to assure you that the struggle is worth it even though it takes time and energy to get there.
Those of us who are detail oriented researchers are often staring at the weeds. In a research project, we’re often in the details of research design, analyses, and findings. During the literature review, perhaps entangled in operationalization of concepts, definitions, and very specific findings.
Getting out of the weeds to look at the forest sometimes means looking from the weeds to the bushes and then from the bushes to the tree branches and then from the tree branches to the canopy of the forest. It’s not easy to jump from weeds straight to the canopy view. In fact, I would say I’ve gotten a lot better at getting from the weeds to the canopy over the years, but still have to do so in incremental steps of scanning further and further up.
Is the work worth it? It is absolutely worth learning to do for yourself. Not only will that help you with sole-authored publications, but it will help you pitch yourself as a researcher to others (e.g., what is your research agenda?). It will also help you see disconnects between the big picture framings and the details as you work with others. This disconnect is a common problem I see as I review journal articles and can tank an article by promising one thing and then delivering on another.
So if you’re like me and are more detail inclined, take the time to find a process that works for you to get to the big picture. The time and energy will pay off as you publish your research, apply for grants, network at conferences, and apply for jobs.
practical phd 