Over the past two RGRG PGR Early Morning Coffee sessions, MRes and PhD researchers came together online to talk about one of the most challenging parts of postgraduate research: methodology and analysis.
Our February session, “Methods We’re Using (and Struggling With): Interviews, QGIS, NVivo & Rural Fieldwork Tools,” opened up a thoughtful conversation about the realities of doing research across different disciplines and methodological traditions. Participants shared work spanning development planning, environmental science, rural climate discourse, ethnographic cycling research, creative practice, and food systems. Despite the range of topics, similar concerns quickly emerged: uncertainty around methodological labels, the challenge of writing methods chapters, and the pressure to fit complex research into neat categories. One especially helpful takeaway was the reminder to keep returning to the core research question when methods begin to feel overwhelming.
Our March session, “Methods Coffee Chat – Making Sense of Data,” built on these reflections by shifting the focus from choosing methods to making sense of the material we gather through research. Participants spoke about working with interviews, fieldnotes, images, and other qualitative data; how they look for patterns without losing nuance; and how they move from description to deeper interpretation. NVivo featured strongly in the discussion, with some finding it useful as an organisational tool, while others preferred more hands-on or creative approaches, such as handwriting, large-paper mapping, poetry, and visual experimentation. Across the conversation, one message came through clearly: there is no single correct way to make sense of data.
Together, these sessions highlighted both the messiness and the creativity of rural research. They also reaffirmed how valuable supportive peer spaces can be, places where uncertainty can be shared openly, without pressure to appear polished or certain. Future coffee mornings will continue to build on this spirit of generosity, practical exchange, and shared reflection.
Get Involved
The RGRG PGR Early Morning Coffee sessions are open to MRes and PhD researchers at all stages. Keep an eye on the RGRG webpage and mailing lists for details of upcoming meetings.
You would be very welcome to join us for the next coffee session in April. You can register here: https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/rural-geography-morning-coffee-april-2026