Just spent the past few weeks reading texts which I thought would be useful for my next chapter, only to realise that what I intended to do isn't going to work (i.e. the reading I've done is no longer relevant = has been a waste of time).

Has anyone else shared this (or a similar) experience???

Is this a 'normal' part of the PhD process (I'm starting to think it only happens to me)?

I think just about everyone on this forum will put there hand up on that one.

this has happended to me more times than i can count......

unfortunately, during PhD period it has happened to me many times...

I hate to say it, but I reckon that isn't the only time that's going to happen to you! Part of the whole research thing

Fairly common. For every paper in your references there'll be at least 3 useless ones you read.

Frustrating, but it's not a waste IMO. After all, knowing which direction you don't want to take (and the reasons why) is very important for justifying the direction you do choose to take! Good luck