Hey Chobba

I can get both of those, if you want to pm me where to send them

A

Thanks KB and Chuff - I'm still not quite sure so for the moment I call them by their own names, so as to be able to remember who is who. Good idea about most popular boys and girls names - I have downloaded them and may very well do that; no judgments, no decisions, just a straightforward sideways swap.

It's hard to know. Dunni says it's threads which were previously seen. I didn't pick up on that to be honest though she is probably right there. I didn't detect a pattern but it was happening all day, to lots of different threads.

======= Date Modified 21 Mar 2011 08:43:01 =======
======= Date Modified 21 Mar 2011 08:42:03 =======
I thought it was a problem with my internet! I got that loads of times yesterday. I resorted to closing down the internet altogether and then opening up again and then was normally able to view. At one stage I had Explorer, Firefox and Chrome on open! I also restarted my laptop about 10 ten times yesterday as well. I have been having separate laptop issues so I assumed it was part of that.

At least we now know we suffered together - no idea how to rectify though! :-(

Thanks for the input Keenbean, appreciate it. I do think it sounds cold labelling participants with codes and as I said I personally don't like reading papers where participants are just identified with codes. However, I hear what HazyJane is saying and she is in effect agreeing with my supervisor. There is some subjectivity attached to the decision to rename somebody with another name. The issue came up at my last supv meeting and we agreed that I would go away and think about it. I have pondered it but am still unsure. I know what I would prefer to do but for my thesis I have a feeling I will err on the side of caution and neutrality.

Words of comfort really and then the usual advice. Repeat the question back to them if you are trying to clarify it, or even as a time thinking device for yourself. If you have already spoken to these guys on the phone a few times I think it would be a good idea to occasionally insert that in the conversation, as in "as we discussed last week...". It reminds them which guy you are as no doubt they have spoken to a few people already. Try to make your presentation memorable - what I mean is when they are discussing you later, make sure that they will remember YOUR presentation as opposed to chap who comes after you.

I come from a customer service background where it was drummed, no beaten, into us the importance of using people's names. So every so often, use one or both of their names. "That's an interesting point you make DanB!"

Good luck with it (up)

For a regular job the advice is normally no more than one page. For academia (so I have been told) is that it should be between one and two pages - longer than one but def no longer than two. Profs. et al may need longer but two pages should be enough for our needs.

======= Date Modified 20 Mar 2011 13:21:57 =======
I get the impression that you are writing quite a few cover letters at the moment so it can be tiresome individualising them for the different institutions. Nevertheless I think this is what you have to do, particularly if the process is very competitive. Some of the info relating to yourself no doubt you could copy and paste. However I think when you are referring that 'why' you want to study at that particular place you need to individualise it. Drop a few names - for instance you could refer to being familiar with the work of one or two current staff members, thus why you would complement what's there.

Finally, I would proof to an inch of the cover letter's life that you are referring to the correct institution. Although you are applying to a few, each institution is obviously only interested in how you might fit in with them. Therefore any suggestion in your cover letter that it is a generic cover letter, or worse still, one you used elsewhere will be not be considered positively.

Good luck (up)

HazyJane-that's similar to what my supervisor said. He felt it was problematic changing names but at the same time we discussed how llabelling people 'Female participant' could come across as cold. The basic premise of my entire study is the voice of young people. Personally I prefer reading studies where people have names but I have, when my mind wanders, wondered how the writer decided on those names. So yes it's not a neutral process. At the same time while I probably won't quote all my participants it gets tedious after a while reading 'Male participant', 'Female participant'.

Chuff- I love that idea! Plus it gives me a valid reason to watch Waterloo Road which I already do:$ - it's one of my guilty pleasures! I could go back to my eighties roots and watch archives of Grange Hill or Saved by the Bell! Your study sounds interesting - if you have a moment, did the question of what you called your interviewees come up in your viva?

Just looking for a bit of feedback

I did roughly ~60 semi-structured interviews for my PhD and am currently writing up my findings. All my interviewees were promised anonymity so I am keen to respect that. Approximately 40 were teenagers, the remainder adults. Two of the adults said they were not concerned about their names being disclosed and these two are the main drivers of what I am researching and it's they who are largely responsible for policy in this area.

SO: should I change all names but still call participants by an actual name, eg change John to Paul etc and advise the reader that all names have been changed? Or, go with the more anonymous, more neutral but less personal 'Female participant'?

Any thoughts??

I'm really sorry to hear that as I know you have been preparing for it for the last while. Hopefully your department and supvs will be able to give you guidance as to what to do next. As Delta says, maybe it could be a chance for you to shorten it.

Really hope things get sorted out for you, Pineapple

======= Date Modified 19 Mar 2011 09:01:14 =======
Re: being considered if you don't fulfill the minimum requirements - again it depends!! If it is completely an online application it's probably harder to get in somewhere if you don't have the minimum. However, if you are making an individual pitch many potential supervisors will consider people based on their suitability etc. I know of at least two people, one mid-PhD, the other who successfully defended their viva before Christmas who didn't have the minimum qualifications. The two supervisors involved fought for them and got them in.

Be prepared to fight for your place and demonstrate if you can, to a real live person rather than a computer screening programme, why you are suitable.

Good luck with any future application

Edit: I also meant to say that technically a masters is a higher qualification than an undergrad so it should supersede minimum undergrad requirements (unless I suppose if the actual undergrad degree is essential to the PhD??). Possibly the applications you are looking at are for integrated masters/PhDs, the 1+3 programmes that are becomming more and more common?

Hi Emaa

I had your email from before - I've just sent it to you now :-)

I have it for you if you want to pm me your email:-)