I have to say I've never used SPSS so cannot comment on how easy (or difficult) it is to use.

However, Claudia, I shall see you at 9am sharp in my office. Come armed with a Normal distribution.

Well that's often the case but it depends what confidence you are looking at, a p-value of 0.01 might be appropriate, 0.05 is quite arbitrary... yada yada yada... Claudia, come and see Dr DanB for Statistics 101 lessons :-x

I don't know which is less sensible - a p-value greater than one or a negative one! Although I do remember a strange conversation once at Uni about negative probability... I think I was drunk at the time.

Just saw this and how it struck a chord!

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story_attachment.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=412623&seq=1&type=P&c=1&hastext=0

I don't know what area you are in, but academic jobs really are intensely competitive. I was at graduation the other day and it was mentioned that for one lectureship coming up there were 38 applicants, more than they had ever had for one. All capable people, but it's just getting more and more difficult across the board. And expect it to be squeezed even further.

Yes, you should only include what is actually referenced in your thesis.

Do you mean 3.403E-38?

Hi Aloysius, your question is of the type "how long is a piece of string" I'm afraid. There is so much unknown as every situation will be different and the higher education landscape could have changed yet again in a few years.

What I would say is in that in arts subjects, funding is ridiculously competitive, even with a distinction in your masters. As for a job, again, research and lectureship posts are increasingly more and more competitive. Not saying it's impossible, just be prepared to face some very large obstacles.

Agree with Peljam; I personally hate seeing waffle of any kind in papers.

Congratulations :)

Thanks all. Had lots of pimms, was a lovely day even if I was absolutely baking in my suit and gown!

And positive words - if I can do it, anyone can!

That's exactly it, Stressed - the "rush" just isn't there. My masters graduation was about 3 months after handing in my thesis for that but I was doing my PhD so still in the "academic mode". I'm looking forward to graduation, don't get me wrong, I just lack the same enthusiasm as before. Plus I'll hardly know anybody there - only one of my friends who I did PhD with is going, so that'll be nice. I'll just enjoy all the Pimms :D

I always used to hate this at conferences - nobody ever seems to want to ask questions and I always felt a bit strange for actually wanting to know extra info! I think it's quite common and often strained.

I remember chairing a session at a conference and it was painful - we were told to make sure we asked a question to each person presenting if nobody else did so they got at least one. I was lucky several people did in my session otherwise would have been so awkward.

So, in summary, I think it just seems quite normal and no reflection on your work!

Oh I think it's quite normal - I started a PhD and wanted an academic career; after about 6 months I decided it wasn't the way forward. With so few academic jobs about, most people who do PhDs don't end up in academic careers, or necessarily even research careers. I know a lot of people who have gone into private sector, where PhD skills are valued even though the work isn't related remotely to the PhD itself. Where I worked previously there were 3 of us out of a team of 15, and now there are 2 of us in a team of 8 where I now work.

You can still publish but depends what area you go into and whether you can still do research as part of your work. I'll PM you some details of what I do.

The weirdest thing is that the end bit all feels so dragged out. I had my viva last December; I submitted corrections late Feb and had my thesis handed in early March. It's the very last piece of the puzzle. Mind you having said that I have no idea where my bound copy of my thesis is, under some books no doubt somewhere...