It can be depressing, and often they seem to consider things that are outside of their remit, but the process is worthwhile/important. I went to MREC for my project, a week later I received a list of over 50 recommended changes, ugh! Some were fair enough, but there were a number that I didn't agree with, so when I submitted my changes I didn't change those things, but sent a letter justifying my decision. They didn't argue any of those points, so it's worth keeping that in mind.

I must say I use both. First person is great for emphasis, my supervisors are happy with this, and certainly from an ontological standpoint I believe 1st person is appropriate. I struggled at first though, esp. as I'm doing a mixed methods PhD so have both qual and quant in it, so being consistent with the language can be hard. I guess it's important to have your supervisors on side, and maybe think about who is likely to examine your thesis..?

ps if its purely a focus group specific 'how to' book, I think Krueger is well recognised as being the book to get!

Hi,
It depends on your area and what analysis you plan on doing, however, for my health services-related PhD I've found the following very useful:

Ritchie, J. & Lewis,J. (2004). Qualitative Research Practice (this is a really nice clear book, good for theory but quite a practice focus--I use it a lot)
Bryman, A. (2004). Social Research Methods
Hansen, E.C. (2006). Successful Qualitative Health Research.
Bowling,A. (2002). Research Methods in Health: Investigating health and health services.

In my early days I also found the "Qualitative research methods in health technology assessment: a review of the literature" monograph really interesting for background and theory on qualitative research, see http://www.hta.nhsweb.nhs.uk/execsumm/summ216.htm

What a load of poo! I think in the general scheme of all things thesis, odd v even chapters comes pretty much bottom

Hey,
my 2 supervisors are both moving to another university (about 80 miles away) in October, at the half way point for my PhD. I have a 3rd who's at a university hundreds of miles away--I've only met her once!
It did knock me when I heard they were leaving, but now I think it'll work fine, and in fact might benefit me (eg giving me the opportunity to meet a whole new network of people). It would have been a different story in my 1st year though. I plan on visiting them every couple of months--can you do the same? And I guess be more proactive and organised about phone contact as email conversations can be a 'mare to follow...

I'm going to drink a whole bottle of very expensive champagne all to myself (and without using a glass)

From seeing other friends submit, I know it can be a real anti-climax and can leave you feeling a bit lost. A proper 2 or more week hol would be perfect but if that's pricey you could so something different like go on a national trust working holiday. I like the idea of being away from technology and doing something practical like dry stone walling..!

I'm not experienced enough to say, but my gut feeling is to leave it. It may be reviewed by someone in HR first who could just put it on the reject pile if the person isn't appropriately qualified... however if the job spec didn't specify level of qualification/experience (which I imagine would be the case if your friend applied as why apply if you're certain you don't meet the basic criteria) then nothing's lost by applying, all they can do is say no and maybe they will see his/her CV and think 'this person's worth keeping in mind for future'?

I think one of the best ways to prepare a presentation is to write it before doing anything else--too many people make their slides first, but if you have your 'story' clear in your head then you can create the slides to accentuate what you want to say.
I only started doing this recently (after a presentation skills course) but I think it has really helped me refine my presentation skills.

Right, onwards and upwards! I'll try coding till 1 then break for lunch, preferably not falling asleep in the office garden like yesterday

LOL, thank you!!



it stung a bit though

I have been in since 8am but achieve about, well, zero! I keep refreshing my email, not quite sure what amazing message I'm hoping will pop up!
I could definitely submit for a PhD in procrastination, but there probably wouldn't be much to read and I imagine I'd have found some way of avoiding taking my non existent thesis to the printers anyway...

cont.
I would get clued up on qual theory and be prepared to challenge why your supervisor believes 30 is the 'acceptable' no for qual work, as it sounds like she/he is applying some pseudo-quant ideas about reliability and validity to the work.

I'd also ask them to give some input into the best methods for recruiting if they really feel that you need more. You could always think of trying to access people through primary care (identifying people through GP records and writing to them) or try contacting organisations like Mind or NIMHE http://www.nimhe.csip.org.uk/

Don't quit because of that! It is hard to recruit participants for 'sensitive' research, which your supervisor should understand that. Your supervisor should also be thinking of ways around this and suggesting things you can do--it shouldn't just be left to you to work out how to recruit! Grrr.

There seems to be some perception in the world of publication that 18 is the 'magic' minimum number for participants in qual papers (ie, for the purpose of rigour/to reach 'saturation'). I've no idea where that came from though and it really only applies to journal publication, not your PhD. Like fluffy said, it also realy does depends on what analysis you do. Some qual researchers would say 1 is enough.

Do it! That would be so cool, Dr Fluffymonster