Wishing you all the best, Emmaki, for this coming Friday. As a follow part-time PhD student, I completely understand how much you want this 6 years + process to be over. Please let us know how you get off!

Hi Serial,

I'm not sure how it works within your particular sector, but have you explored the possibility of offering your services in a volunteer/pro bono capacity to help develop your industry experience?

Good luck!
RLD

My three top tips would be:

- Purchase a book on writing a doctoral thesis. I learnt about things I should be doing way too late on in the process
- If you are deciding your own research subject, make sure you are as clear as possible about what exactly it is that you are researching. Again, I found this out way too far into the process! This will help to ensure that you don't drown in the sea of literature that already exists.
- Do the same for your methodology. Be clear about the process you are adopting, and don't be left trying to retrospectively find a suitable option (as I did).

Good luck :)

Hi socpol,

Can I ask if your study is qualitative or quantitative in nature? I can't comment on the latter, but in terms of the former, Lofland and Lofland (2005) suggest a 60/40% ratio for the findings and discussion, respectively.

Cheers,
RLD

These are excellent suggestions. Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.

Hi All,

It looks like (*fingers crossed*) I'm in the final stages of writing my thesis. However, I'm so concerned with getting the damn thing submitted that I'm worried I'm missing something obvious in these final moments!

My timeline for the next few days at present looks something like the following. I would really appreciate it if anyone who has been through this stage of the process is able to have a look at my list to see if I'm missing anything major:

- Make revisions on final chapter following feedback from supervisor
- Move all chapter sub-headings that start literally at the bottom of a page, on to a new page
- Update all chapter, table and figure page numbers in the table of contents
- Print and bind (is this really it?!)

Cheers in advance, and here's to the END after nearly 6 years!!!
RLD

Hi Mathcomp,

Does the advert have a maximum number of pages stated? If not, I'd really take advantage of this situation and write as much as needed to demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria.

And I would definitely answer the selection criteria separately under different headings to help with readability. I'm currently on a recruitment panel and responses written like an essay with no clear headings or reference to the selection criteria are really frustrating!

Hi excommunicate,

I'm very interested in this post and any replies as I'm in the same position as you! With the exception of I'm yet to submit, but am hoping to so imminently. Can I ask what field you are in, as I believe this makes a big difference to the number of papers you are expected to publish and by when.

Go well,
RLD

Sorry Satchi, I don't have access to that journal :( I hope that you get it soon though!

Go well,
RLD

Hi Blurredlines212,

Rina makes some excellent points. I just wanted to add that it's okay to feel jealously towards another person - it's a natural human reaction! (My counsellor told me this a little while back, which in retrospect is an excellent point). I would start to focus your efforts internally instead and start brainstorming how fabulous YOU are. It could be the personal values you hold, the fact that you are also doing a PhD or how you approach and treat other people. Nothing good can come of comparing yourself to this person. We are all unique. Celebrate your uniqueness :)

Go well,
RLD

Hi Dab

I would definitely bring it up the next time I saw her. I'd make it the first thing we spoke about. I'd even consider going to see her just to discuss if I wasn't due to see her very soon, just so I could get it out in the open. It's not something either of you are going to forget anytime soon, so at least by talking about it you can make your intentions clear - that it was an automatic response and there was no other intention behind it.

Hi Shoulder,

Maybe you could start your response to one of the points in question in that manner. Another option could be to group the related/duplicated responses together. I.e. 'practical application of qualitative research/practical application of qualitative research methods including qualitative data analysis', and then give a really detailed response that covers each of these aspects.

All sorted.

Is anyone please able to help me out?

Cheers
RLD

Hello fellow PhD-ers,

I'm trying to access the following journal article, but my university does not have access to the most recent year! Frustrating.

Costanzo, L. A., Vurro, C., Foster, D., Servato, F. & Perrini, F. (2014). Dual-mission management in social entrepreneurship: Qualitative evidence from social firms in the United Kingdom. Journal of Small Business Management, 52 (4), 655-677

If anyone is able to help me out I'd appreciate it hugely.

Go well,
RLD