Hi Lorna,

maybe you could also try and get in contact with a bloodtranfusion centre. They may be able to provide your with serum/plasma etc. which they may not longer be able to use (for example due to date). They may also have the specific expertise regarding the preparation of the blood samples.

Alternatively the hospital laboratory may have blood products.

Good luck

Hi prernakapoor,

in the German newpapers there are regular advertisments for PhD / post doc positions, these are funded and I think there is quite fierce competion.
If you are self funded I think it is a lot easier: seeems just a matter of contacting the particular university.

Kind regards

Hi Catlinbond,

you could try and look in the book "Measuring Disease" from Ann Bowling, Open University Press. This contains information on various scales, including psychiatric ones.

I fear that most assessments regarding areas like psychosis, mania etc probably will need a clinician to fill them in (as a typical symptom of a patient with psychosis / mania is the lack of insight). I think if they would be filled in by the patient to ones without symptoms would be able to fill them in, yet the "psychotic patients" would not!

Just managed to arrange another focus group,

or actually my supervisor set it up. Will take place in September, I am very pleased with that because at least something is happening!

Hi Shani,

thanks for your post regarding the recorder, I will have a look at that.

As mentioned in my previous posting to doc2008, I am considering to shift to a mix of focus groups and individual interviews in the future, if not succesful in organising more focus groups.

How is your research going?

Hi doc2008,

that sounds convincing, especially the element of the Lancet. Wouldn't it be great to be able to publish something in journal like that!
It seems that the mixed route which you have chosen is the right one.
I will try a little longer organising focus groups, yet may start to "mix" as well if proves to be problematic.

I think the sharing of experiences, especially around qualitiative research and to a certain extent around paradigms, is really useful!

Hi doc2008,

do you intend to publish your results? If yes what is your experience regarding acceptance of journals regarding various methods? I am in the medical field and I think one sees both indivual interviews and focus groups in the medical journals. I do not know whether editors have a preference for one of the other (I do know usually they like randomised controlled trials!)How is that in your field?

Hi Tsipat, Shani,

I think you are both right, the methods can enhance and going back to interviewees is a good idea to get more information. Maybe I should combine the focus group and the individual interview. One to one is certainly easier to organise.

Just out interest: Shani can I ask which brand / type of voice recorder you bought? I am using a video camera with a remote microphone for my focus groups. Is OK but sound sometimes difficult to understand. On the other hand the video makes it easy to see who is talking.

Regarding the issue of using focus groups, I think that a major advantage is the interaction element. As a result things may come up that individual participants may not have thought about. As such I think the focus group is the prefered method if you really are looking at something new and to have an idea what potentially the issues are. Therefore changing the method can and will have an impact on the research question, may make it less valid (unless the question is changed, off course). There I am a bit worried regarding just going to individual interviews (although from a practical point of view this is a lot easier!) Any thoughts?

Hi pineapple,

that's interesting. May I ask if it is in the UK that you have arranged that? I am curently in Germany, not sure whether organisations exist who would organise focus groups for me. Is it expensive?

Hi Doc2008,

I am in exactly the same position: done two focus groups, now very difficult to organise other groups. Individal people are quite happy to participate in the study, yet when it comes to group it is very difficult to get them together (location, distance, money? easier to opt out if group event?).
In your case if individual interviews are OK, then great! I am thinking whether that may be the way forward for me as well.

Are you still going to use the focus group information in your research?

Hi Sixkitten,

I think you are alone! My research has also got a bit stuck, as not able to get enough participants. I try to keep to date with the literature, although I admit it is very frustrating just to wait.
Do not give up!

Hi Marie-Sophie,

the research method depends on your research question. These two are interrelated. For example if you want to know indepth knowledge regarding a subject methods like focus groups or interviews may be best. If it is something more numeric a survey may be suitable.
Try and read a lot around the subject, make questions, read and try and fine tune the question. Is there an area that is unanswered. Once you have the research question set the method.
But be aware: be realistic what method you use, what resources have you got? This may influence your question!

Hi Bettyspagetti,

I think deadlines are useful, as they help to focus you on ending a task and getting things done. As such I like deadlines. I try and keep myself to them, and usually manage this. If I would not have completed the work I would sent the draft version. I think it is better to send a draft or a provisional version than nothing at all.
Vice versa I would hope that other academic people/ supervisor would keep himself to this. Unfortunately this is not always the case!

What was the reply on your E mail?

Hi Inapickle,

the feeling of going in round in circles is something which I recognise very well. I think most of use know the feeling. I think it is frustrating, yet probably also part of the research process, in which yout constantly re-interate and in which you are frequently reminded regarding how little you actually know. Progress goes in small steps.