I am having a week's annual leave (sorry!). Slightly anxiety-provoking given how much there is still to do, but I know I can't work through the entire summer with no time off, and this is a logical place in my writing to have a breather.

That's good, it's important to take a break! I hope you have a lovely one :)

This week I'm hoping to complete my discussion chapter. It hasn't actually taken me very long to write (you were right about that!). But I'm nervous about it, and I think it'll be sent to my supervisor with a disclaimer saying this is the very first draft - please go easy on me!

What are you doing this week?

Chickpea- you have the right idea! I would be having a week off after submitting my conclusion chapter, but I am off to another conference at the weekend and I am still preparing my paper. I plan to have a week off in early August as I really do feel like I need a break!

Hugh- Today I have been starting the editing process. I have been working on my introductory chapter that is only half finished. I have not accomplished very much today- I am writing about the policy background of my work and I find it depressing and mind numbing. So, this week I aim to have most of the policy section done, and have completed my conference paper.

Do not be worried about feedback. Right now I would love any feedback even if it is a bit negative. My sup has had one of my chapters for two months now...

Sorry Zutterfly, that's rubbish that you're having to wait so long for feedback. I hope they get back to you soon.

My sympathies with you Zutterfly, it must be awful having to wait so long!

Best of luck with that! I haven't written my introduction yet, but I've placed policy background in the literature review chapter. I wonder if I should shift it to introduction ... I do worry about repetition. I feel with my discussion and conclusion chapters there is quite a bit of repetition, lets see what supervisor has to say.

On another note, have any of you included the coding framework/codesheet in the appendices? I just feel like if I do, my appendices will just be way too long, and I wont be able to bind the thesis into one file.

I also worry about repetition, but I really think it is best to have the whole thesis draft before attempting to identify and edit this. I imagine that it will be much easier to detect and address once you have a full thesis draft- or at least I hope...I have about 12k to cut from my thesis!

I did consider putting the coding framework in the appendices and I think I may do this. My appendices are already very long though. I was reassured by a friend who submitted at my institution last year that they can bind up to 500 pages in one file, so it may be worth checking with the printing services at your institution. Even at present with my overly long thesis and appendices, it doesn't hit 500 pages. I plan to deal with the appendices in one 'chunk' of time later and see if there are any that are worth leaving out.

What's a coding framework? Have you both used a type of analysis that requires this, or is this something that a thesis should have and that I've never heard of? Eek!

It's based on type of analysis - not required by default. Don't worry.

Zutterfly: that's true, better to include at first, and then take it out. I'll do that, thank you!

I think I'm going to have to cut about 10K too.

I think that worrying about cutting before the full draft is together will just be too distracting, so I think it is the best plan!

We will have to keep updating each other when we are cutting word counts for motivation haha

Thanks Hugh - I thought that would be the case, but you never know :o)

Will do :) It is going to be a pain!

On another note, when do you use double quotation (") and single quotation (')? I'm so confused!

I use a single quotation for any quotes, and double quotation for quotes within a quote...e.g. if a participant says 'so my mum said "why are you applying there?" and I thought...' (completely made up quote). I hope that makes sense!

Perfect, thank you! I'm going to copy that! :)