======= Date Modified 09 Jun 2012 00:57:02 =======
I've also found this on a American website (though the abstract could be better written):

http://udini.proquest.com/view/psychological-variables-related-to-goid:909881729/

It's pay per view for the full version. I'll pass on that though.

In response to 'screamingaddabs', I'll comment it's hell whilst you're doing it but (for a while) feels great once through. Once the high of sucessfully finishing passes, reality sinks in as you begin to wonder what to do with everything you've learnt and how you can make the most of it. A few years later, I don't think I've truely answered that particular question. :-)

It's amazing how an interesting discussion can draw you back on here.

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

Doesn't the University where you did the Masters have the hard copy of the dissertation you submitted? It should be available to borrow via the University library. You can then photocopy or scan the pictures (even if you have to do this in the library), for later insertion into text (Word?) document.

Create a PDF of it so you can't lose it again and generate a new hard copy from the file generated. Installing this program will help you generate a basic PDF.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/

You really should be looking for a funded PhD somewhere, as the whole process can sometimes take quite a bit longer than the three years. PhDs are very expensive to self-fund.


Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

For this one, I have to break my self-imposed silence and say things aren't as bad as perhaps the media might make out.

Heaton is adjacent to Byker, which is still a bit rough. However, the housing in Heaton itself is mostly student, as it is in Jesmond and parts of Gosforth (no history of real trouble in either of those areas). If you said Fenham or (especially) Benwell, then I'd advise more caution.

There is a small risk of of burglary, so make sure you make sure your flat is secure when you are out and you should be fine (door locked, windows locked, etc.). Stick to main routes if you're coming back from a night out in Central Newcastle being the other thing I have to say. The vast majority of people in digs there will never see any trouble.

Given I support Sunderland, I should be taking this opportunity to run Newcastle down!!! :-)


Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

Before I completely disappear:

http://www.wearthesis.talktalk.net

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

As the title of the message says, I'm another one taking a back seat (there's been plenty saying goodbye lately). Whilst I'm probably not going to completely disappear, I am going to greatly reduce my presence.

My reason for returning after a very long break was that I believed a friend was about to take up the PhD challenge. I was a science PhD quite a while back and my mate was humanities. I felt I needed a feel of the differences a humanities candidate might face. I'm 99% sure that is not going to happen now.

I need also to get on with my life so it's time to take my leave. So as I take a bow, I'd like to wish everyone the best and those still going through the process every success.

All the very best,

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

P.S. My website and blog at http://www.wearthesis.talktalk.net/ will remain for general PhD guidance. Feel free to pass this web link to others. I shall still be contactable by e-mail (via the website) or PM.

Are video conferencing and telephone interviews an option for more remote interviewees?

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

Whoa girl, what a turnaround. All I can say is you are on a real roller coaster. It's amazing how things can turn around in such a short space of time. I guess I've forgotten how much things can change in those last few weeks before submission, both emotionally and in life and general.

I'm glad your ex has seen sense and realised he can't stand in your way. You're ex's change of attitude and you finally being able to leave for the UK proper has lifted a weigth off your shoulders. Now it appears the rest is up to you and you now have a much clearer run-in than it appeared just 24 hours ago.

My previous advice was based on the situation of 24 hours ago in that I believed you had to focus on the immediate situation. That has changed so quickly and I'm so glad for you that it has.

I still believe you should have asked for more time to finish your write-up than you did as even without the pressures you've been facing you have your good days where everything goes well and other days where you can barely write a word. With pressures you have faced, I've no doubt you'd have got a lot longer.

However, if things are going well and you believe you can get the write-up out of the way then best of luck.


All the best,


Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

======= Date Modified 02 May 2012 08:42:48 =======

In Europe at least, the Bologna Process is supposed to bring about standardisation of qualifications in higher education such that they have equal weight no matter where in Europe they are attained. I will repeat I would like to see a panel of five (US style) replace the two examiner system for PhDs.

As regards the hidden attrition rates, I agree this is higher. Whilst actual failure rates for some institutions may appear low, they do not include peple who do not complete and drop out. I wonder how the statistics would read if these were included.


Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

I gather you're based in North America from the way you talk about the PhD. In Europe, as said by others, it's meant to be a 3 year intensive research project with the specific aim of adding to the knowledgebase of a given subject. My opinions are thus from that perspective.

I agree that the PhD as it is, isn't a perfect qualification. However, anyone who attempts a PhD will go into it aware that it's not something that will improve employability in the real world except in a few specialised technical fields (Pharmacy seems to do okay in this respect from what else I've been told). I was no exception and went into my PhD for the challenge of doing one, to test myself to the limit and find out what I was capable of as a person.

With my own experience in mind, making significant changes might mean it ceases to be that challenge. The core function is to produce that original data that furthers knowledge in a given field and that has to remain so or a PhD is no longer a PhD. Is it an academic award for original research or an employment training programme?

That said, I've no objections to people taking time out to take up placements with companies or to do training that will give researchers real skills that will be of use in the workplace. Such ideas would be a big help. However, those of us that have come through a PhD will know just how hard it is to complete. As such, any extras should be options and not mandatory as once well into the PhD process, there is the tendency to want to push on and complete it without distraction. Once into the write-up period, people really do just want to get it out the way.

The changes I would want to see are more subtle. For example:

1) New starters given seminars as to what's expected in a PhD, in order to help them plan a structure to their research programmes.

2) New starters given the option of a mentor (possibly a recent post-doc) who they can approach whilst they are getting going, to give more specific hands on guidance in their given subject area that is not part of the supervision team. The mentor should be able to take more of a back seat once the candidate has the project properly underway.

3) At the end of the second year and shortly before write-up begins, candidates to have access to seminars in writing skills and the form of language to be used in their thesis / dissertation.

4) Many funded PhDs in the UK have a week away from their Uni. where candidates are given guidance in CV writing and interview techniques for when they finish their PhDs and start looking for work. This should be made available to all candidates (this could be done on campus if necessary).

5) PhD candidates are referred to as students. I find this has negative connotations in the eyes of employers, many of whom may perceive the candidate as a 'professional' or 'continuous student'. How about calling candidates 'Junior Research Associates' with a proper 3 year employment contract (though retaining tax exemptions with it being a PhD)? If the candidate does not complete or fails their PhD, such a label is much easier to sell to an employer than being a student for a further 3 to 5 years and nothing to show for it. Such a label would be more saleable for a passing candidate also. We are doing a research job whilst we are doing a PhD anyway.

======= Date Modified 30 Apr 2012 14:03:17 =======
6) My main gripe is the actual examination of the thesis, in that there are only two examiners in Europe. I prefer the idea of a panel as in the US, with a chair and four other examiners. Having only two examiners means only two opinions on a piece of work. A negative opinion of just one examiner can make or break a candidate's future, especially if there are known differences between the examiner and the supervisor or there are massively differing opinions in how a project should or should have been approached. A panel means if one person takes exception to the work or the candidate, it isn't necessarily as make or break. Similarly, supervisors can't necessarily rely on favoured people to act as an examiner and thus allow poorer work to be awarded a PhD.

The same panel should also interview the candidate at the mid-point, with the ability to address weaknesses it sees in the work conducted to date so the candidate is less likely to veer off course as write-up and final viva approaches.

7) In relation to the examination, once the viva is complete and the examiner's reports are written, I see no harm in a face-to-face meeting between candidate, supervisor and internal examiner (or the chair for a panel) to clarify the points made before corrections begin. I've read too many instances where people have commented of being unsure of what the examiners actually want.

Anyway, that's my penny’s worth.


Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

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