I hope things are getting better for all who are struggling. I'm still not 100% and nowhere near where I should be but I keep telling myself that at least I'm moving forward and definitely not procrastinating! I tackled the dreaded analysis today with a 'once and for all' attitude so it's all done now and it'll be time to start writing tomorrow.

I'm soooo close and yet so far. I've not received any feedback from sups about work I've sent them weeks ago and I foresee a sudden rush of editing coming my way by the end of the week.

I'm off now so good night all!

PS.: It seems like the morale is pretty low for some and I'm not sure if this is going to help anyone, but I've pinned my Gantt chart on my wall (next to my desk) so I know I've done most of it already AND I'm almost there. I've also been keeping the old ones behind it so I can check my progress week by week. That helps me to keep it going sometimes...

Well done for finishing the draft, Star-shaped! I'm sorry you have to rewrite it but from what I've heard (and my own experience), the rewriting never ends. This poses the question: how do you know when is time to end?? I know for a fact that my sups will just keep telling me to change stuff every time I send it to them. So do I just stop sending it when I think it's done??

Batfink and Sneaks, I hope you manage to do what you need by your deadlines!

My goals for the day are to continue writing a draft and to do more work on my analysis. Good luck everyone!

I am!! I only found about them since I joined this thread not long ago but I am hooked!! It doesn't just helps me to keep going forward but it's great that you can look back and see how much you've achieved (hm, or not achieved on some days)... I aim for about 10 a day but I don't worry if I don't get that many, I focus more on the work itself... I sometimes overran on them so it wouldn't be fair on myself...

I'm debating getting someone to proofread my work before final submission and was wondering if anyone ever did this. I don't think my writing is particularly bad but I'm just thinking I've worked really hard for this and wouldn't want to spot mistakes once it's been hardbound, etc. or does it not matter??

If anyone has used a proofreader, can you give us an idea of how it works, costs, etc?

Thanks.

Skig

Hello

I'm afraid yesterday wasn't the most productive day ever Star-shaped. I tried to tackle the dreaded analysis but it was not taking me very far so I decided to do some reading and writing instead. The writing itself didn't go far per se but I got lots of great ideas so that was good. Thanks for asking :-). How are things your end anyway? You got any further with the grant application?

Batfink, I wouldn't worry too much about not starting work until later on during the day... we all need time off and rest etc. Hm, at least that's what I tell myself (I didn't start myself until about an hour ago). On a serious note, it's true though, working 24/7 can't last long, we all need to rest, eat, have fun etc

Goals for today are to keep things small so I'm going to proofread an essay, write a bit and then do bits on the analysis, even if it's a little bit...

I hope you guys have a good and productive day 8-)

Hello!

I'm around too... I 'gave' myself the morning off as I was feeling a bit demotivated at the mo. I'm having to redo my analysis :-( It started because I noticed a mistake I'd made but in the process of redoing it, I realised I'd made lots of mistakes and now I'm having to learn new things whilst applying these. I'm feeling a 'bit' overwhelmed, which usually leads to procrastination but with my deadline coming up I can't afford that so I shall be reaaally pushing myself!

Thank you guys for sharing how you manage when things are not moving forward as expected, it really helps to know that others have difficulties too and it gives me ideas of what I can do when things are not great my end
(up)

Hello everybody! I've not managed to do any work yesterday or today (so far) as had to sort a few things out. Will try to make up for the weekend though as deadline is fast approaching! I'm seeing my sups next Thursday so hopefully will manage to get lots done by then! First only of the day is to get back to my analysis, it's been a bit of a daunting job and I still feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work that i need to do so I think I might measure it in terms of tomatoes... It's mid-afternoon now and I'm only just starting so I think I'll aim for about 6 tomatoes and review it then. I hope you're all doing well :)

Thank you!

Hello

I'd thought I'd done all my analysis etc only to realise I completely forgot to include one of my variables, silly I know, but deadline is soon and I'm very stressed. Anyway, so I've started redoing the whole thing from scratch only to find out that I might not be able to use multiple regression anyway... so I'd thought I'd ask these:

1) Do the predictor variables need to be normally distributed? I'm getting mixed information on these, some say yes, others no

2) Can you do a multiple regression when the criterion variable is nominal? I'm trying to come up with a model that will predict a phenomenon, but the phenomenon either happens or it doesn't (although I can probably change it to a ration variable if it needs be).

3) Any other tests I should be thinking about in additional to (hopefully!) multiple regression?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Skig

Morning!

My first goal for today is to finish redoing my stats and carry on with the remaining tests. I feel today not being the most efficient of days :(

A quick update. I managed to do my first two goals and part of my third one. Starting to think I'm being too hard on myself all things considered (e.g. low motivation, lots of pressure and feeling very stressed right now!)... oh, well, there's always tomorrow :)

Sorry, no luck here. Erm, not sure if this in all unis, but the ones I've been to so far have a system where, if you they don't have a certain journal/article available, you can order it in. I've always had to pay something, but this is subsidised (current uni charge is 50p). I have the feeling some staff don't like it much as it costs a lot more than that to get it but if I need a resource, then I need it and I'll order it.

HTH. Good luck!

Hi!

I too was concerned after I noticed that my peers weren't sharing their ideas as openly as I was so I'd started keeping them to myself until I had to consult with external sources (away from uni)... frankly, I was worried they'd steal my ideas and my research wouldn't be a novelty anymore but my sup reassured me that, even if they wanted to, by the time they got everything in place, ethical approval etc, mine would be done already so I've been pretty much open and honest with everyone ever since. Nothing happened and, as far as I know, fingers crossed, it's still a novelty :)

Saying that, I can't help but wonder why other PhD students are warning you against it... has something happened in the past that you might need to be weary of? If so, then I'd say, let the presentation be dry and protect your intellectual rights! But if not, it might be nice to hear others' thoughts and opinions about your ideas. My research is not on the exact topic I wanted, I had to change it due to some difficulties but it's only grown into what it is today following discussions with others and reading and my own experience too...

Sorry but I think only you can make this decision...

======= Date Modified 16 Aug 2011 11:22:20 =======
Hello everyone! After having a horrible morning trying to get the internet sorted out, I'm finally sat at my desk... Goals for the day: write a chunk of introduction, my hypotheses and redo my stats.

You're welcome. Happy to help!