I agree with larrydavid that it's much easier when the paper (whether for a journal or conference) comes from your phd as you'll then know a lot more about the subject.

With regards a journal/conference accepting I'd probably say it depends on the journal/conference itself (whether they feel it's appropriate, if it's something they want to publish, etc) but also on who else is submitting. Like marasp mentioned, if there are a lot of other good papers that the editors feel more strongly about, then yours may be rejected. Saying that, there's nothing stopping you from submitting elsewhere - still frustrating though as you may need to revise it to suit that journal...

I hope you manage Batfink!!

Button, good luck with the background section. I just see it as the very basics of the broader topic if that helps.

Work is thankfully still moving forward.

I had an enlightening moment some time ago though and I now know what's holding me back. I'm ok rewriting when the material comes from my head if that makes sense but if I need to look for info and I can't seem to find it (my filing went to pots at end of thesis writing part I and viva prep) or I struggle to link topics, then work comes to a temporary hault. Not really sure how to deal with this apart from pushing myself to write? Any other ideas?

Hi Batfink. Thank you. I hope you've managed to finish your article.

My day has been a bit slow but we're moving forward. I really wanted to finish by tomorrow but it's not looking very promising as I have some errands to run this afternoon/early eve. Hubby is going out with friends for a few beers tonight so I'm hoping I'll have enough energy left to do some more work after dinner.

Morning all!

I was pretty disappointed at the end of yesterday as I didn't feel I'd done that much. Hopefully today will be better. I'm a bit stuck with my results but I'm hoping once I get started things will flow a bit more smoothly.

Have a good day everyone!

I'm glad to hear that Sneaks. After lots of rejigging and re-structuring, I've come to the conclusion that their revisions will require me to make some significant changes. I don't mind the changes, but they haven't given me very clear instructions, apart from 'that needs more info' sort of thing so it's hard to know if what I'm doing is what they want me to do and I'd be very upset if they just went 'nah, still not good enough'. Hopefully I won't get a rejection then.

Tt_dan - personally, I wouldn't worry about that too much. They'll let you know either way at some point and submitting a paper isn't the speediest thing ever, especially if they're depending on others to review it!

I've submitted an article a while ago and it came back with 'in need of revisions'. I'm working on these as we speak and I'm just wondering how many times can it go back and forth before they ultimately reject it? Is this my only chance with this journal?

Well done you Batfink!

Just popped in quickly to add that my article has to be between 5-6k and not 2k, that's my lit review and methods! Sorry my brain isn't quite working properly.

Back to work for me...

Morning!

I'm doing results today to but I need to turn a 12,000 word chapter into a 2,000 word journal article :(

Better get started!

I think you're being a bit harsh with walminskipeas... We are all trying to help you!!

To put it bluntly, if you go into your viva with what you have so far, you'll get heavily criticised and chances are you'll get R&R because they'll want you re-analyse your results. You MUST adopt an already established method and be able to justify why this method has been chosen, hence our advice to go back to your research design and the methodology.

What does your design state about methodology? What is your aim? You need to know what you're doing before you do it so you know how to do it, what you're looking for, etc.

How many interviews and analyses have you done so far? Pending on the number, if may be worth having a break and look into your analysis method before you carry on. Trying to find a method that fits with what you've been doing could potentially be a lot harder than choosing one and re-starting analysis now.

Like I said, just trying to help...

I'm glad you two managed to do some work.

Things weren't too bad here either. Intro done earlier, just need to have a last read tomorrow. I even had a nap! How good is that?

Oh Sneaks, I really feel for you! How frustrating!! Could you build a strong argument of how you're right and discuss this with her? If you feel so strongly about what you've written, then there must be a reason! Obviously I wouldn't go with the 'I'm right, you're wrong' route, but perhaps 'I can see what you're saying however, blablablah'

I'm glad you're finding the time to exercise Batfink. I went swimming yesterday too but I hadn't exercised at all in ages and I'm a bit sore today:$

I really believe I can finish my intro today so off I go.

Sorry to hear you're struggling with sup (again!). I know this is cheeky but, as you know that she's not reading the article anyway, can't you just email her what you've already written and add on the email 'I've added point XXX in these sections y and z, arguing blablablah...'?

I think your motivation has rubbed on to me Batfink as morning has been quite productive so far, thanks:-)

I really need to finish this intro today! Only another few hundred words to go.

The conference I've been referring to is not a postgrad conference and considering what they're charging and their costs, room hire, food, etc, I really don't think they're on it JUST to make a profit. I believe it is about getting people's research out there and networking... shame it's not my field:-(

Hm, whilst I'm not saying that this one isn't about money, I don't believe it is ALL about money...

I'm not saying that what you are doing is illogical but, as far as I know, we can't all just analyse data in any way we like, or think it's best.

Different qual methods are used for different reasons and I'm afraid it'll be much better for you if you utilise one of the already established methods than try your own. The examiners will be looking at how you've analysed the data and why. It'll be easier for you in the long run to get this sorted now.

As walminskipeas rightly points out, it's best to go back to your research design and start from there.