ooh hubs has just had a call to go to an itnerview on monday, which is v exciting as he hates his current job :-) got all my fingers and toes crossed he gets it!

Good luck to hubs Sneaks!

Hi all, I have been avoiding this post for the past couple of days because I really can't get into my work and I don't know why. I did lots of writing last week (pretty much everyday) and then met sup on Monday who has given me a million and one things to do. I know what I should be doing, but I've just sat at my desk on the internet :$ what should I do? I have zero motivation! I'm considering putting a dvd on and just having some work on my lap which I might look at (but probably not).

Don't worry Button, its normal to go through phases like this. i think its best just to try and get as much done as you can each day and wait for it to pass (which it will).

I am now back from the gym and getting back into things. I am thinking about how smug I will be relaxing with a glass of wine and some leftover Christmas chocolate having managed to email my work to my mentor, so that is the goal!

The goal for today was to grow significantly the writing of my literature review update and I have failed managing just a meagre new page.
I'm kind of getting more and more used to believe that this PhD wasn't for me but now that I've invested so much I have to finish it unfortunately...sorry for the bitter rant
Hope your day was better :-)

Button, I've been going through phases like that too - don't worry, it will pass, just have a good break and start fresh tomorrow!

Just read other half's Masters dissertation to pick up on last-minute typos and so on - blimey, that was hard work! His discipline is computer forensics, and I have no interest in or knowledge of computing whatsoever.... But it's done now! Phew. I can confirm that he is Very Clever Indeed, though - it's all gobbledigook to me!

I was going to do a bit more work today but my head hurts after that reading, so I may take a break for some tea and see if I feel like doing any more later.

my supervisor wants me to run a confirmatory factor analysis in SPSS - I thought that was impossible?

Tusco, you don't sound bitter, more weary and worn-down! I have the feeling a lot of people feel that way at some point, especially towards the end of the process. Keep going - I'm sure you'll get there! Good luck with it!

My day went from bad to worse- I decided to just sit on the sofa with some work on my lap and a dvd on...problem is I decided to watch 'My Sister's Keeper', which always makes me cry- cue me bawling my eyes out, which then led to me thinking about all the work I've got to do, so I cried more.

Hubby-to-be then came home and was worried sick wondering why I was crying so hard...which led to a MASSIVE cuddle, a cup of tea, some giggles and a much more calm Button!

He's now gone off to Asda to do the weekly shop bless him, to give me some time to do an hour's work (probably 30 minutes considering how much he hates food shopping and therefore whizzes round at top speed). So I will get something done before he gets home!

Sneaks - no, I'm sure that's possible, isn't it? You mean like Principal Components Analysis? Or maybe I'm just showing up how little I know here!

Aw Button, hubby-to-be sounds like a sweetheart!

button, your h2b went to Asda?? on his own??? ....Marry him NOW!

Batfink - I thought SPSS does PCA, but that is exploratory factor analysis. We've done that bit, now we're confirming that model with a bigger sample - so I think you're supposed to tell the computer what your model is and it tells you whether its ok. PCA just tells you a model, not one you've specified if that makes sense.

You can do it on AMOS, but I have a ton of missing data and its not dealing with it well, or Mplus, which I can't get hold of without paying £100 :-(

Thesis summary section is now redrafted. I found this VERY difficult but I *think* I have done a decent job. I am now going to redraft the 'research and related achievements' section.

'Research and related achievements' done. Getting there.... Now onto the final section.

Yawn.... morning everyone. Yesterday I achieved my goal and sent my Case for support to my mentor. Now I hopefully don't have to think about my Postdoc application for another couple of days...

Today I am moving on to grant proposal number 2. My first goal is to draft out the introduction.

Sneaks - I see - I've only ever done PCA but I know I'm going to need to do some confirmatory factor analysis when I do my analysis. Do tell me how you do it if you work it out!

Morning everyone! I'm feeling fired up and ready to go - maybe because I ate a flapjack for breakfast and the sugar has gone to my head. Whatever the reason, I'm determined to get lots done today. Goals for the day:

1.) This morning, continue developing my questionnaire
2.) This afternoon, start thinking about questions for interviews
3.) Also skim-read 3 or 4 journal papers

Should keep me busy!