Six basic rules to help doctoral students pave their way through PhD research

This paper presents six simple guidelines or rules to help doctoral researchers in their PhD studies. The six rules could be used as part of an induction to a PhD programme or as a supplement to a research mentoring programme. The six rules are as follows: 1) research something that you are naturally interested in, 2) start where you are and set yourself up for progress, 3) know the landscape before deciding where to plant a tree, 4) do not be afraid of being a polymath and at least be a philomath, 5) focus on questions, not just answers, and 6) always think about the limitations and biases in your research. I also take the opportunity to share some of my favourite maxims and quotes to help support these rules.