Otto, ref: "Well, unless you die in the next five years or so, these things will certainly happen in your lifetime." 5 years!!!? I doubt it very much. Think of the logistics involved and you will realise that your calculations, if they were to ever come to fruition, are exaggerated.

You also ask me to do some research. What the hell for? So I can come up with trivial facts like the rest of you who support conspiracy! Hence I said you should relax and enjoy life, surely you have enough research to do!

Superham: ref your comment "Bazzab - who is more paranoid - a government obsessed with watching our every move, or concerned individuals who see this as potentially dangerous?". I would say the individuals! The term 'obsessed' is far removed from reality. Do you actually think that any government sector have the resources to watch/track etc all of our movements? It is not feasable. If they did have that power, then terrorism and crime would be under control. (Before you say that this is the direction we are heading, think of the measures that need to be in place to have complete control- think long and hard!).

I think there are far to many of you with too much time on your hands. I suggest you stop getting so paranoid about what the government is doing with your details and start enjoying life. Until someone demands that I perform actions, I feel free do do as I please as long as I do not break any rule. Ok, some people will know where I shop. Who gives a damn! And as for Otto's claim with chips under bridges etc, dude it is not going to happen in our lifetime, if ever, so chill out.

Apologies if the tone of this message is somewhat agressive. It wasnt meant :)

Yes it could take months but my opinion is the purpose for this is 1) to gage how much you know about the field and 2) what you are interested in looking at. I dont imagine they expect fireworks but enough to warrant an interview.

Hope this helps

B

I suppose Im looking at cognitive psychology in some aspect- auditory perception.

Shame golf pro. I would have loved to had a knock. Incase your ever in Leeds, Im member at Moor Allerton (not as nice as you normally play I wouldn't imagine but still nice).

Golf pro. I play golf regularly even with all the work. Where you based? Anywhere near Leeds? We could hook up for a round if you liked. (Im a member at a very nce club!!!!)

ULUG- Are there no circumstances where you think quiting a PhD are acceptable? Let me spell it out for you: A PHD IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. If people are having serious trouble they are entitled to quit. Are you such a dictator that quiting isnt regarded as acceptable? Look at people who are industry etc, if they want to quit their job they do it and look for another one. Are you suggesting they should all stick at a job regardless of issues because quiting displays weakness? Remember, life is about learning from mistakes and some people embark on a PhD without fully researching what it entails.

H- It is ackowledged in my department that the first year should be dedicated to completing a lit rev (30 pages). Now, I submitted a very poor attempt at lit rev for upgrade in Nov and it was rejected (& quite rightly too). I was given a 3 month period to resubmit with the recommended alterations which are nearly done! The fact that I have spent these 16 months doing this lit rev is worrying both myself and supervisor. I agree with conflicting views of Coastman & Piglet but it is my feeling that the whole thesis is a working document and to completely exhaust the literature now would mean that any change in direction would cause problems. After all, that is what research is about. (What I mean is, you gear up for 1st expt and then the results should lead to the next investigation- you shouldn really know how it will pan out before any expts are completed).

B

I 16 months in. Resubmitting proposal for upgrade at the end of month and I think it is alot better than the initial proposal. However, I am worried that I have taken this long to get the lit rev completed for upgrade. Still have no data collected or even ethical approval application. Do you think Im too far behind?

Well guys. Im glad people are being honest. Just to update, I have managed to work quite hard since xmas break and have re-submitted my proposal for updrade.
However, I do think that you go through peaks and troughs on the work front so dont be too hard on yourself. The biggest and most important thing is when you dont do work, do some thing constructive with the time i.e. something you enjoy (golf, theatre etc). Then when you return, you are motivated. It works for me at least!!

Good luck

The Phd is full of enough jargon. I think being more succint would help.

Aliby- u tryin to confuse even further?

Yes I totally agree. Howver, what has made me ask is that I was told that someone managed to obtain a PhD by conducting a variety of expts, all taken from other peoples reseach & analysed them in the same way. This is obviously quite obscure as we dont know the full details but all I can think is the but interpretation was differnet/original?