Lume

The same thing happened to me when I went to Paris recently. I thought I would come back motivated, but ended up taking an extra week off and spent the time at home playing Call of Duty on the PS3, and then I was relaxed. Maybe it's a France thing?

I think you need to not only go abroad sometimes, but also take time to relax in your own environment. I know that if I am at home relaxing I always have the thought of work in the back of my mind and always feel guilty for not studying all the time! Don't worry you are not alone Pam!

SL
;-)

PUME

Thanks for all of your replies!

SL

I thought I was going to use grounded theory, but now have been told it would be better to use a theory that is grounded, which seems the same to me, but am sure is not. I will also be using snowballing sampling to acquire my interviewees if thats what you mean.

Thanks for the reply.

SL

Hello all,

I am just writing up a PhD Outline for submission. I have been told that I need to sort out my methodology and re-jig it basically (I think most of the core stuff is there). Also, I have been told I need to start using proper academic terminology.

I am conducting a PhD in the social sciences which will include around 50-70 semi-structured face to face, one to one, interviews. My question is this, does anyone know of any good books that will help me on methodology and thus using the correct terminology?

Thanks!

SL

Thanks! I think I am just a bit nervous and wanted any advice from people who have done it. Maybe there are a few books that may have helped, a sort of check list of things to factor in I suppose!

Hello all,

I have been asked by my supevisors to start thinking about writing the outline of my PhD, i.e. shaping and forming it. As in it has been 6 months since I started and have to now give it shape starting to tell the overarching tory and how the different components will interlink. I need to outline the 10 different chapters I am going to have with a brief couple of paragraphs after each heading with methodologies, parameters, primary reseach techniques etc. My PhD is in the Social Sciences

Does anyone have any tips on how to best do this?

Thanks

; )

excellent Jola, made me laugh out loud in the library, distubing many people who have exams. Do I care? No, I am a PhD student, so that must make me better than everyone else here right?....hhhmmmm

Anyway, very funny, keep it up. Almost makes me want to keep a blog, but I am too lazy!

But do remember. People who are your colleagues may seem great, but unfortunately people who are not close friends sometimes have a hidden agenda. Do not get persuaded, unless you really want to do it, to be the 'fall guy', the person who stands up on behalf of everyone and gets shot down, as they will come out looking like roses and you will be the one who causes problems. I am not saying don't do it, because as I said before, we have to stand up to bullying people who abuse their power (or lack of usually!). Just saying, never make rash decisions, like I always do! Think things through a few times, ask your family and friends advice (and ours), before you make a decision to do something. Then sleep on it, if you feel the same in the morning, go for it whole heartedly. 'You only live once', bit of a cliche, but makes sense!

Good luck my friend, and remember you are not alone in these sorts of cases!

Thanks everyone, some good ideas! but would as always welcome any more thoughts if you have them. Thanks again!

Thanks, some good advice there.

I have been told by a few people now, to start writing the PhD straight away, which I think is a good idea.

12 hours a day! I think I would go mad. I am currently putting in around 5-7 hours a day!

cont...

20 Apr 2008. Location: Library; Witnesses: John, Jane; Description: Supervisor came in at around 1pm and asked in front of colleagues whether I should be dating my flatmate. I found this to be offensive as well as embarrasing in front of my colleagues. etc...

You get the gist....good luck...and from the hard way I have learnt never to let the bully win, have some backbone!

I had the same problem with my old boss. She was a big bully who blamed everything on the most junior member of staff who would shut up and take it as she knew that person needed the experience. Yes, it was me!

Don't take it. First, make sure your supervisor is aware you are not happy. Mention words like depressed and disgruntled and that will put their back up.

Also, remember to have a paper chain in whatever you do. Work, study, anything!

Even if it seems like you will not need it anymore, keep it, as you may need proof someday.

Also, if your supervisor gives you a task, confirm it by email, so you know what is required, and when you do it, if they say you should have done x y and z as well, you have the evidence to prove otherwise.

Finally, keep a diary. If things, and I really hope they do not, go that far, you are nothing without the proof. Keeping a simple diary will be so important, I cannot stress. So for example you would say.

cont...