Gah, this isn't a moan or anything (even though it starts with the infamous words), but as I write my methodology and gape in dumb stupidity at the over-ambitious nature of my PhD (benefit of hindsight and all that), I've realised something a bit disconcerting. I only hope others can identify. I've used a lot of techniques in my mixed methods research, ranging from descriptive phenomenology to psychometric theory, and, by far, I am not an expert. I don't even have a rock solid 100% understanding of the techniques I've used. Discounting real social life and normal human beings, more in the realm of PhD students: am I normal?
If I ever make it to the viva and D-day, just how much of an expert are they going to expect me to be? Does anybody else feel like this, discounting the geniuses amongst us?

What a petulant shxt head! What a childish piece of work. You have every right to be angry, but pity him too, because obviously he doesn't live in the real world. He's exactly the opposite of what a supervisor is supposed to be and if anyone should be ashamed of their standards, it is him. There's obviously a lot of resentment on his part. I don't suppose there is any way you could get someone else, perhaps quite a bit more objective, to comment on your work - perhaps without such non-constructive, theatrical reactions?

Thank you for all your suggestions everyone. There's loads of really good ideas. I'm going to start swimming at my local pool, running and...I'm going to look for yoga classes because I'd like to try it. :-) I have a feeling it will improve my writing and it'll help break up the days as well.

I'm going to keep my progress posted, however mundane it seems, because then there's no getting out of it!

Hello Jlgirli, welcome to the forum. I suppose that the most important thing is that whatever you do, you choose the PhD that interests you most. Not to give you platitudes but the decision to do a PhD is a massive, life-changing decision. Most importantly of all, you have to be interested in what you do - sometimes that's all that will carry you through when you hit the troughs and doldrums. Given the detail in your post, I would say that you have given the merits of each possible PhD some thorough consideration, and I'm not sure I can make any recommendations that you would consider constructive in your decision.
As for limiting your choices, just because you develop research skills in one particular arena does not mean that you are restricted to that particular area for ever. Search this forum because there have been previous posts concerning this matter. All the unis look to be good one's too, though I would argue that what uni you do your PhD at is not as important at this level.
So, I suppose that just leaves the real decision up to. Which PhD do you find the most interested, and yes, what kind of specific area academia or industry do you want to work in after? I see you say forensics...
Not to go on and on, but it is perfectly acceptable to want to do a PhD out of interest, furthering knowledge and bettering yourself. In essence, I think this is much of what a PhD is supposed to be about.

This has happened to me, Eska - more than once. Over the past year, some of my lectures have been cancelled and I was the last person to know. It takes me about 2 hours to get to my uni, 2 hours to get home - and this has meant I've lost productive days as a result. And, although I've never had to give lectures in the corridor, I've been subjected to moaning by my students because we've had to wait outside before I could start tutorials at the set time because of poor room planning and booking.

Flippin' heck, Slizor, I don't know whether to thank you or curse you. I've just been trying The Plank - and that's exactly what I feel like now. Obviously, I'm missing muscles or have some really underdeveloped ones which are important for that exercise. Still, the pain has taken my mind off my PhD for now - and that's one of my aims.

Verrucasalt, thank you for your suggestions. I'll never be an Italian Stallion, but the idea of boxing sounds brill. I'm cheered by the fact that you say these places are populated with some people who are beginners. One of the reasons why I eschew the gym is because I have this expectation that it will be full of toned buffs who will make me look like a Ford Fiesta amongst a fleet of Porsches. But we all have to start somewhere... The idea of going for walks is also a good and something I can start doing tomorrow.

I don't know whether I read this in The People or something, but apparently exercise is supposed to be good for you. Not only for the obvious stuff like creating a body temple or toning up, but also for elevating one's mood and increasing one's intelligence. I'd stick some references in, but my Athens password has been playing up today and my university only seems to subscribe to the Journal of Holistic Therapy and the Journal of Inconsequential Studies anyway.
That's where you come in. I'm not overweight (not really that much anyway) but I want to get fit, I want to get healthy. I don't want to be able to run really fast or jump really high, but I want to have a rosy glow to my cheeks and a big smile. So, what kind of exercises would you recommend? In fact, does anyone do any particular forms of exercise which they find really helpful and can recommend to everyone. Something for the women, like power walking or an aerobic step? Or something for the men, like running and weights?
This thread could be a fantastic opportunity to begin something great. I'm not going to use any of the exercises given in the Rocky movies because I'm not training to be a boxer (just trying to get through my PhD) and I don't often jog past poor Russian families whose cart of wordly goods has fallen over in the snow and needs up-righting again. I'm going to use it to chart my ascent to fitness, based on any recommendations for exercises given. But if anyone else wants to join in, the more the merrier.
(up)

Meth...od...ology - oh how I hate thee! I've put it off long enough - and I've got to do it. So far today, I have made zero progress with it. Bad day, I suppose. I'm les miserable and tired, sick of sitting in front of a computer, only a cup of Yorkshire tea for company. My word document a barren landscape, when will the rainy season of my methodology writing come?

This does seem like a very challenging matter to teach, not helped by the fact that it's being delivered to a group of older teenage boys (not that I'm tarring them all with the same brush). Keep_Calm, although I've never had to teach anything close to what you have, I do find the worst students are often the younger ones. The only advice I can offer is that you should be very direct and matter of fact in terms of the delivery of the material (it's important, so you won't blush). If they snear of smirk, more fool them and their childish ways. Doubtless, they'll read the atmosphere you create and none of them will be juvenile. If any of them make silly comments, just stare at them blankly and carry on.

This is probably terrible advice, and I expect that someone will be along with something better.

To be honest, you strike me as a headstrong individual with a very strong personality, a healthy dose of motivation and a big sense of responsibility. I don't know very much about about feminism, but I'm not sure your problem is about the disempowerment of females. I think that anyone who is in a position of power and respect can seem intimidating to others. Of course, it's not your fault; you are just you after all. I think that the problem lies with other people, if you know what I mean. Sod anyone who thinks you're on a power trip, since you're not trying to belittle them or make yourself seem superior. However, if the problem you perceive does bother you profoundly then try a few interpresonal interaction experiments by doing the some of the opposite of what you do now. So perhaps try only speaking from time to time, only answer questions directed at you and so forth - and see what happens. This may just be an issue with self-perception.

Oh, also remember that personalities sometimes clash, like when you stick a 9 volt battery on your tongue or attempt to warm milk but end up boiling it. You know what I mean, anyway.

12 days have passed since I posted this thread, and what have I achieved since then.

Conducted a very important focus group that lasted 2 hours.

Analysed A LOT of data for the results section.

I have developed the first draft of my patient reported outcome measure.

Written my expert review protocol.

Written my cognitive interview protocol.

Got my rejected paper ready for resubmission at any point to a new journal.

So it doesn't really feel like I have been writing my chapters, but this is all the stuff external to my chapters that I have to get done in order to write them.

Got my rejected paper ready for resubmission at any point to a new journal.

:-(

Now, from Monday, I can actually worry about getting some writing done. I know what I need to write - it's just how to structure it...

This is a toughie, but not insurmountable. Tactile responsiveness, reading body language (the signs) and verbal acrobatics - I'll be back with some advice for you later that will turn you into a social chameleon.

Hi Whuniverse, if you're thinking of starting a dentistry course in the UK, you'll have a hell of a time trying to get on a course - even with the PhD and string scientific background. I'm not saying it's impossible of course. But I have a mate that wanted to study dentistry, very well qualified and with lots of experience working in the NHS, but no joy. If you do decide to go ahead, consider UCLAN; they do graduate entry dentistry and have about 20-odd places available per year.
Studying medicine is a good call - there's an intriguing video on Vitae presented by a young lass who describes her experiences of having done a PhD and now studying medicine. Bear in mind that it's as tough as trying to get into dentistry though.

Hiya, Keenbean. Thank you for your comment. It was straight rejected by one of the associate editors. It doesn't matter though, as I'm in the process of submitting it to another journal this afternoon. I wish all these journals could come to some kind of unified standard on the precise format for displaying references - they all seem so particular with their commas here, colons there and semi colons up in the air. Lynne Truss would have a field day! :-)

Thank you, Rick and Eska, for your comments. I'm looking at getting my paper submitted to another journal that should be 'better suited' today. It's a pain when you put so much effort into something only to get it knocked back, but such is academia. It's put me on a bit of a demotivation spiral, but with so much to do, I'll have to get it sorted.

Rick - a strange taste in music I have, at times, indeed. I feel like I've done something really despicable today, after my Duran Duran binge, and do actually feel guilty and dirty. Look what you made me do, Journal of ..., with your unreasonable rejection. I'll redress the balance by catching up with my Farming Today fascination on Radio 4 - I've got about an hour's worth that I haven't listened to.
:-)