marasp, you've a fantastic attitude and this will help you through. I've no intention to publish at the minute as I've other priorities but maybe in due course.

My corrections have been approved, Ian, but I don't like the idea that supervisors want PhD students but don't offer good supervision, don't provide feedback on most chapters and it takes months upon months to get any kind of feedback. To actually be told I had done something right (specifically when I asked directly if it was as I had reservations) and only to be told by my examiners that it wasn't was embarrassing to say the least.They get paid for supervising and so they should follow through. My examiners provided much better supervision than my supervisors and that's not even part of their job. On a positive note, I'll not need to go shopping for a thank you gift:-)

Thanks AQ. I was thinking about English because not a single element of my writing was criticised at Masters and PhD and it seems to be my strong point. Out of interest, do they come to you (your place), do you go to them (their place), use a library or somewhere else?

Seriously, try to get those papers finished, I know it's tough and the situation stinks but now is the best opportunity you'll get to do them. I'm not fussed on an academic career and so it doesn't matter as much for me. Keep the faith!

...and thanks. We're all in this together.(up)

Thanks, these explanations are very helpful as I just didn't know what to make of it! Glad things are better for you AQ, I'm not sure what your subject is but I can't see there being much call for mine but worth a try I think.

Thanks all for responding - I was a bit deflated to say the least.

======= Date Modified 17 Feb 2012 13:38:15 =======
Thanks Hazyjane. That's another way of looking at it. I'm considering a number of options...

It was a voluntary organisation / charity.

I am being very serious when I say this but I approached an organisation yesterday and offered myself as a volunteer. My qualifications and experience would be relevant to this organisation and yet I was told they were not recruiting volunteers. I was shocked to say the least when they responded with that. Has this ever happened to anyone?

Very honestly I feel for you. I say this because I feel the process is in some respects a lottery and certainly not fair. Sadly, regardless of whether or not the examiners read your thesis, or read it in full, you cannot voice your concerns as they would not be well received. It's a bitter pill you have to swallow and I don't envy you.

I don't believe my supervisors read my thesis and although I passed I'm still quite angry at the prospect they didn't as it made for an unpleasant viva. I have more confidence that my examiners did and their feedback has resulted in a much better thesis. Try to focus on the end goal. If you do what your examiners want you to do you'll be fine.

I think the examiners report is the 'official' list of corrections and your corrections will only be judged against this list and not what was said on the day, as they may not even remember what they said on the day. If you meet everything on the list I don't think they can expect any more. However, confirm with your supervisor.

Good luck!

My supervisors were useless during my PhD but I don't think they'll accept that and I'm not brave enough to tell them ;-)

Ady, the process aged me, what can I say except you trying working with my supervisors:p

======= Date Modified 16 Feb 2012 17:12:50 =======
Sorry double posting again but thanks for clarifying the situation.

I've good reason for not trusting one of my supervisors but if I wrote it I would take first authorship.

Thanks, I thought that but wasn't sure.

Thanks, I thought that but wasn't sure.

Could someone tell me if I decide to publish from my PhD do I have to give co-authorship to my supervisors on any relevant articles?

Be true to what you want to do but treat others with care as you never know what the future holds.