As far as Im aware Ronja, your supervisor will give you an idea on the area that they specialise (obviously this does not apply to everyone) and you come up with an idea based around this topic. What you need to remember is that thing you worried about makes the whole process exciting. Dont worry, attack it and see where you come out. You will find that with reading you can define the area more and more until you are looking at a very specific topic.

All the best

How is the criteria set out for one of the requirments of a PhD, adding to 'current knowledge'? Is it simply publishing a paper? We all know there are reputable journal, and not so reputable. Where is the benchmark by which we are all assessed?

Hi Zingo,

If you go to interview and show that you know the area reasonably well and can at least show some inititive/imagination in thinking of new ideas, you wont be far wrong. Just remember, when starting out you are not meant to be the expert, when you finish you are.

GL

I dont think you are nuts. A friend started his phd at same time as me and quit to do msc. He didnt have an msc but had years of clinical experience nad felt he was behind on the research skills.
Hope it all works out

I have thought about quiting many times but unfortunately, it may come down to me being thrown off phd. I failed transfer upgrade and the recommnedations made are proving more difficult to implement. I would be absolutely demolarised if this does happen. I have 1 month to get it sorted.

Yes I think so. I know the MRC in Nottingham have research on cognitive psychology. Hope this help.

Hi Vince,

Firstly well done for overcoming the difficulties. Secondly, I think you need to be more concerned about yourself- dont worry about what others think of you. Its clear you are making an effort and this is good enough. If others cant accept it, then they can "like it or leave it". All the best buddy

I have done 27 hours of lab demonstrating this semester which is paid work.

Why is it that when you are feeling down and look forward to some sporting event that your county can compete in, it all goes horrendously wrong? (By the way Im welsh but support England in cricket for obvious reasons) This mornings action (which I listened to on radio and hence Im v. tired) was something I was very disappointed about and still am.

Is there any comfort anywhere in the sporting world at the moment?

Ah Sixkitten,

When you say didnt really acheive much, you mean you still did some work but didnt get very far with it yes?

I am very interested now in finding out how long people have gone without working. In my case, it seems like I have WASTED 6 months because the work i have been doing isnt relevant. However, this is different from simply not going work.

I think the longest I have gone without doing any work what so ever would be in the region of 10 days! This would have been during a very low moment in my PhD life! (But im determined to not let this happen again!)

B

I want honest, short answers from all of you on this to gage where I stand. I had a bad day last week and have not done any work since but had a meeting today which has kick started my motivation again.
However, I want to know from you the longest time span you have had where you have not picked up a pen or book or written on computer? (P.S. This doesnt include arranged time off or holidays, simply when you just havent done any work when you should have)

B

Hi H,

I am looking into dyslexia as part of my phd (or more specifically, phonological delay) but in children. The best way to assess from my point of view is to use a tool called PhAB (Phonological Assessment Battery)when looking at children but I am unsure of the adult alternative.
It might be worth looking this up to see if they have another tool for adults. In this case, you would not be qualified to do assessment yourself or interpret results (which would be the job of speech language therapist) but it would certainly get you started.

Sorry cant be more helpful.

B

Now, you wo

Matthew, you must be happy about Cardiff City's dip in form then. I follow the bluebirds but dont watch them. I like playing golf to relax but it takes too long to complete a round (approx 4 hrs).

Good luck for season, I reckon its Preston and Cardiff for automatic promotion!!

Jojo. Having got over the initial sadness, I am now in a frame of mind where I am going to fight for this upgrade. I am going to take the advice of supervisors seriously, but now feel its time to make a stand and do what I want to do. I know why I failed upgrade, and Im damn sure going to put it right.

This is what you have to keep in mind. I see it as a 3 month period where I can really shine and show the difference in what was submitted firstly, to what I will submit.

Yes fluffymonster, supervisory was present. Not totally contradicting what was said in viva but not really taken advice which is what is concerning me.