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Qualitative: Framework & Thematic Analysis - need your help
H

Thanks Rick and Bulb for the information. I thought I could use Thematic or framework for data collection of my Study 1 and 2. As far as I know and like you said, framework is more structure. I also heard that you use it when you have a priori. I am not sure if this is always the case. But I couldn't find any sources to justify this and I couldn't ask my 4 supervisors: 3 suggested me to use these approaches and one asked why use ramework but not the other?. I also know for sure they will throw the same question in my face on my first viva. So I have to figure out now how to answer the question.

Qualitative: Framework & Thematic Analysis - need your help
H

Hi, greatly appreciate if anyone can help me to point out the differences between these two approaches. I need to carry out two studies. Study 1: the method to collect the data will be based on structured questionnaires and semi-structured interview. Study 2: the method will be based on in-depth interviews. For Study 1, my supervisors told me to use thematic approach to do data analysis as it involves semi-structured interviews and Study 2, go with framework analysis. Thematic for study 1 sounds logically enough to me but I don't understand why I need to use Framework for study 2 as I don't see the differences. From my reading for qualitative approaches, Thematic is more easier to do and learn when comparing to the other ones. Also, both Thematic and Framework share similar methodological principles, such as identifying, analysing and reporting themes/patterns within data. But the procedures may vary, which Framework has a more structure laid out. Please let me know if I am right on this point?

I thought I can use Thematic for both studies. Can someone please tell me the differences between them? and examples when to choose thematic and not framework? Many thanks for your help.

PhD registration termination
H

Hi Debbie,

Sorry to hear what happened to you. I am very much in the same boat. After you have filed a complaint, that said, you can no longer work with the same supervisor. In your case, I suggest that you should seek help from the student adviser and then file an academic appeal. The department or school will try and protect the staff member. In my case, they also refused to give me a new supervisor until I have gone through the first year viva and if you were against this, like I had, they will make it harder for you to stay on. The supervisors will never admit what they said like in my case; they said my report was good and etc, in the viva meeting, they put me on stand and a lot of questions and told me I missed out this and that when they had my paper for months. They put me on another probation period just so I would not file another complaint. The relationship has broken down completely. So good luck with you case and better get it sorted soon.

Going for PhD later in life
H

Quote From LoobieLoo:

Hi there, Just wanted to say - a little word of warning - from my own experience and based on my current situation. I had a top job and 10 years working in my profession. I got a sponsorship from a company I worked with to do research into my highly specialist area. I went in with the expectation that I was to be studying something I was interested in and that my real world experience would be welcomed (it could bring something new to the table and I was willing to learn new things and for interesting debates) but instead of that whatever experience I had was devalued and instead of meeting supervisors that were interested in my research I met supervisors that spent most of the time devaluing whatever existing experience and knowledge I had even though they had limited knowledge of my field. Some might think it was because I was no good but I have an MSc with distinction in my specialism from a red brick uni and a 2.1 in it aswell at undergrad level. I have personally been badly bruised by my experience as they made me feel worthless. Working in business was easy - being a phd student in a department where there are no black and white rules about anything - and no set ways of doing most things; and being frowned upon for my existing experience was really awful. My experience has put me off academia for life - I want to try and get as far as I can now and then go back to my profession where I was treated with respect and valued and not talked down to. As someone in their mid thirties formerly in management I didn't appreciate being talked to like I was a 20 yr old undergrad. If I were you I would seriosuly think carefully if you already have a good job - and also make damn sure you look into finding somewhere that have people that know you work - the department I am in do not have anyone who knows my field and that doesn't help.


I just read this post at this late hour & couldn't refrain to reply as I completely agreed with LoobieLoo. I, too had a very well paid job in a high business standard company for 7 years. I then left for my PhD in 2007. My PhD life has been a disaster since. Nightmare with supervisors, no one cares about your previous experience and new knowledge you bring to the table. PhD students are treated like dirt or nothing. After 6 months into the game, I know so sure that I will never want to stay in the academic. As LoobieLoo indicated, I also feel my supervisors have very limited knowledge how the industry work and they make me feel like I am nothing, worthless & dumb. Of course, I cannot compare with my supervisors as they have years of research experiences and if they were in my job, they will be in the same position for seeing at knowing nothing. How can you compare your research experience with a student who is learning how to do research and hence that is why they are there. They treat me like a 12 years old kid when I am a mature student, i.e. asking for a doctor note if I were to miss a supervision meeting. It is terrible and unrespectful. Business environment is must more straightforward. PhD is so subjective and you might not get yours if they don’t like you.. I am in my 2.5 years now and have tremendously stresses which thinking to quit & go somewhere else. I would have earned much more if I stated in my own job instead of taking all these horrible nightmares. So please be sure that you interview your supervisors carefully before starting as I made a big mistake for not doing that.

Nightmare with Supervisors - Please Help!
H

Quote From uwicpaul:

Hi Hidi, you have clearly already accessed Student Services as you mentioned an advisor. some time with the Dean of Students to discuss your case and possibly the careers section would help. All you really need is to have your options clearly laid out to make a decision about your future from an informed base and to have your emotional and personal needs met and I honestly feel that Student Services are best placed for both of these issues. I do hope that things work out for you.




Thank you for your reply. I feel my situation is hopeless. The Student Adviser Serv. is the only place I could go now besides taking up to the College again. The School is very bad. I don’t think they will do anything to help. It is like a bureaucracy and politic. There was a case recently that one student was kicked out from School due to the complaints she made against the Head of School who didn’t do anything for months. My student adviser told me that it is not worth to continue with these people as they haven’t given me easy time and that I should appeal to get my tuition fee back. She saw one of my supervisors was harassed me in one of the supervision meetings and the length of time I had to wait to resolve my case. It took 8 months and that why I got the interruptions study and hence my 1st year viva didn’t take place until March 09. I want to quit but I have spent 2.5 yrs already and so difficult to let it go. Also, when I asked my supervisors if my project meets the standard of PhD, they won’t say, they said I have to wait for 2nd panel assessment to find out from the external and the chair. They will submit their report about my progress. I feel it’s unbelievable for supervisors not able to tell you if your project meets PhD standard. I thought that is why they are there to guide you and your work. I have 4 supervisors which I never ask for that many. I only want a principal supervisor as is a standard procedure. I think. Having 4, doesn’t mean I get more support but instead less. However, it is better for them to show the quantity that means I have a lot of helps. So I am hoping if anyone in this PhD forum has the same experience and can help me to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Nightmare with Supervisors - Please Help!
H

Sorry for long text but I need help & your advice will be greatly appreciated. I started my PhD in 2007.
I had 3 supervisors (1,2,3) and #1 was my principal supervisor. #2 & 3 never supervised a PhD student and my #1 might not have any experience either. After 10 weeks, I started to have problem with my #1 who didn’t want to meet & give feedback. But she asked a lot: systematic review and publication in my 1st year. Since I owned her the gratitude for giving me maintenance fee, I tried to work hard & shut up. After 6 mts, conflicts btw supervisors, my #3 told me to see PhD postgraduate committee for a change of #1. The guy didn't believe what I said & things didn’t get anywhere. After 9 mts, at this time my #2 was planning to go on maternal leave for a year & #3 was moving to different univ. Since my 1st yr review was coming in 3 mts, I needed the support, colleagues advised to request for a change ASAP. #2 supervisor rejected the idea & said I owned #1 the gratitude. The Head of School turned me down for the change: I went against a senior staff, I owned a big gratitude and so I should keep #1, and if I publish any paper, #1 name should be on there. I said I paid international tuition fee for my PhD, it was not all free. It then took me months with no results for new principal supervisor. Finally, I went to the College with the help of Student Adviser. The college acted on my favor & created a supervision panel with 4 supervisors but no principal supervisor and so no main contact: my #2 & #3 old supervisors & 2 new ones. Anyway, my supervisors have not made my life easy after I involved the College. They created a supervision agreement which I had to have a doctor note if I miss a meeting & I couldn’t see them about my work unless extremely emergency.

In 3/2009, I had 1st year viva but failed due to missing 1 study and the method was unclear. My supervisors had my report for 4 mts but no one said anything about this that makes me lost trust in them. They also put me on stand with questions at the panel. I feel they wanted to fail me at the time but didn’t do it cause they afraid I would file a complaint. So the panel gave me 6 mts to makeup. My supervisors made me worked 60% than what was asked from the panel. I finished 3 chapters of my thesis since, but they have lost interests in my work They don’t want to give me more support & try to cover their back. Feedback fr 3 supervisors are mostly verbal, no editing on my 2nd report that is going to 2nd panel. If I clarified anything especially the admin side, they made it so tough and included head of school, postgraduate committee etc. I talked to my #2 supervisor, who didn’t care & made me felt dumb for asking questions. I feel that my supervisors want to fail me at 2nd panel. I wanted to quit now & go somewhere else but will get nothing or even after 2nd panel. I'm now dreadful to see their emails. I can no longer cry after 2.5 yrs stress. Don't know I should carry on with 2nd panel/leave