I agree with Satchi. You really have to do all the work, and be willing to have very little support. For example, the last time I spoke to my supervisor was back in November. You really have to be willing to work on your own, set your own work, and take real ownership of your work. Supervisors are not your co-authors or bosses. They are more like Editors.

Don't do a PhD for the sake of it; you'll end up regretting it!

Hi,

I thought it would be nice to have a final year support thread! Anyone want to join in? *waves* We could track our progress every few days and chat to keep us sane!

I am currently analyzing results of my final study, and I have written up about 4 chapters (but they need serious editing!). I have got another 5 chapters to write yet! I finish at the end of the year. How are you all doing?

(If this thread takes off; moderators, please could it be a sticky topic? Thanks)

Many congrats! :)

If you were to use the statement to 'our' anything, I'd avoid out in the thesis, as it's primarily your work, do better to use my.

However, it is common to use our and we in journal papers

Congratulations! So pleased for you, I hope you are celebrating!

Academia sucks

BUT your major and minor revision will not get rejected - Make all the changes they have suggested and re-submit it.

Minor revision = pretty much accepted paper

I think you should ask the university directly whether it needs to be paid back.

I would call up the graduate office anonymously and ask. If they say no, get them to confirm for you via email.

In the UK, research councils don't ask to be paid back; and neither do universities. But I know that students funded from abroad do have to pay back.

I would get clarification first instead of worrying about it. Then you can make a more informed decision. Even if they do say yes, you have to pay it back, maybe you can appeal to the university on the grounds of ill health.

Let us know how you get on. And I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties.

Good luck tomorrow - let us know how it goes!

Could you take a sabbatical from your work place?

What is your purpose of doing a PhD? do you want to work in academia?

Thank you everyone!

It appears to be that my understanding of theoretical framework is not like how the rest of you have understood it. I have understood it as described here:
http://www.doctoralmidwiferysociety.org/portals/c8d3e3f8-9c01-4bf5-abd9-3fd6b4c510ae/marleneeditorialtheoreticlaframework.pdf

Have I got it wrong? Or is it discipline dependent??

pd1598, thanks, I have used that book to understand ontology and epistemology, and it is a brilliant book. However, I haven't found reference to theoretical framework? Could you direct me to page number/s please?

I am using mixed methods and pragmatism, and I will explain that. And I can explain which discipline/s my thesis sits in, but I don't have a formal theoretical framework ...

Hi,

My research is in a multi-disciplinary area, an emerging area, so I don't have a theoretical framework underpinning my thesis/research. Is this likely to be a problem?

(I have literature that underpins the study but not existing theory or a framework. I suppose I am creating a framework?)

Thank you! :)

Thank you both! I'll keep one month per chapter. How long did formatting take you?

Also, did your supervisors check each chapter as you wrote, or did they check it all at the end?

Hi,

I'm just wondering how long it took people to write up and submit once data collection/experiments were completed?

I have been writing up as I am going along, but I still have introduction, literature review, discussion, methodology and conclusion to write up. The data chapters also need major editing.

I've also been told formatting can take up to a month (!?!)

Thanks!