hehehe gibson you confused sleepyhead and phdbug and made sleepybug!!!

Anyway yes i totally agree about the US phds who have more coursework experience...sad but true...

Ahh so you meant staff recruited from abroad, like those who havent been here, lived here or even learnt how the British HE works and standards expected thereof?

Hmm, I kinda get that, we had one of these sorts as well.

I asked cos I was wondering so many non UK students come here, so young, study through their post grads, Phds and post docs, and sometimes join the staff crew, they are pretty ok..

Sleepyhead why is it "pretty rubbish"?

Are you talking about a dissertation? Or else, its slightly unclear what you want. Also, if it is you dissertation, the themes (topics, I presume) usually emerge from a combination of:

1. Area or niche of personal interest
2. Current research within the area, if possible along a specific angle.
3. Underdeveloped territories within this
4. Availability of some guidance for you to take this all forward.

Once you've done that, you could of course benefit from two way discussions with people in the similar field.

======= Date Modified 27 Dec 2008 20:39:12 =======
thank you amanda (forum, "stressed" as we all know her, is Amanda by the way!)..dogs are wounded and still being tied up so they cant see each other's shadows, mum transiting between one and the other... apparently this aggression happened cos they are all lady doggies living together, or something to do with not having babies dont know what...oh gosh :$

If after 3 dogs, they had to have puppies now, my family would leave for the mountains on a pilgrimage towards peace and never return lol!

I suggested their having puppies to my mum, she I think wanted to bash me up for giving advice from half a globe away, that too advice that wanted to multiply 3 fighting dogs into 15 of them.

oh thank you smilodon. Yes, dog sibling it is indeed. yes. yes.

thanks olivia!

Its strange, actually there are 3 dogs...the older two are crazily attached to my mum. Now, its like she has become a bone of contention between them. One cant stand her being even in the same room as the other. It all started when she returned from work on Xmas eve, and they pounced on her for her attention, she bent to pet one, the other attacked that one, she tried coming in between the bite landed on her wrist...all parties cancelled, she had to be rushed to the doctors, since then the two have had to be kept tied up and muzzled because they are behaving like manic beasts...The vet has no idea, they r too old for adoption, dog breeders still want them, my family wont ever give them to breeders (understandably)...its all horrible..

and the third one, still a baby, tiny in size, and completely at a loss as to whats going on, has fallen thoroughly ill.

Oh dear.

Hi all,

just back from spending some gr8 moments with an ex bf! Turned out gr8...

got some v bad news abt my dogs back at home....2 of them suddenly turned manic, started attacking each other, my mum has decided she might have to put them to sleep...

I cant write much sense right now...i am an only child, the dogs are like my siblings...

Olivia, my feelings are with you. I cannot imagine something like this may happen...my B'day is Tuesday and I just cancelled all plans, because I have no clue what news may come from home..

======= Date Modified 25 Dec 2008 19:06:49 =======
I dont really know if it was a He or She, but anyway sift through the threads and you shall discover the "strange acts of Masters2008." Ahh that can be the title for a Holmes or a Christie novel..or at least a really low budget film...
lol...my sense of humor has taken a beating...working on christmas day :(

Thanks Stressed! (still unsure whether to use your real name on the forum threads!!)

Hope you guys had a fab xmas day!

Hi All,

As the table is laid, here's a little rhyme I wrote to wish all of you here a lovely festive season, a Merry Xmas and indeed, a beautiful New Year. I am not a poet, so this is just a kiddish rhyme:)


As candles cast their pretty glow, as carols chime away..
With the bells in the church and with love in our hearts...
A Happy Christmas Day!

May new things come and bless us all...
May our races be well run...
May joyful sunshine, frolic and mirth..
Fill every day with fun...

May faith and goodness hold our hands...
To melt our troubles away...
With bells in the church, and with love in our hearts...
A Happy Christmas Day!

For those near us, a hug to you,
You fill our day with grace...
For those away, a huger hug...
We miss you, across space...

And for every little drop of joy,
That blessed us every year...
With bells in the church and with love in our hearts..
A Happy New Year..

And for everything that did look dark...
We ran with courage and a smile..
On Christmas Day, here's wishing us all..
The strength to run a mile...


So, here's to tell us all today,
Let's look ahead and pray...
For the bells in the church call us to smile...
Today and everyday!


Happy Christmas Forum!

PBug :-x

Oh thats a great idea....i totally love graphs and charts and mind maps and tables..they work so well with me (and i work well with thme!) ok..off i go to check the stuffing (slurrrp!) bye!

======= Date Modified 24 16 2008 16:16:40 =======
Hi All,

I was wondering, i need to do a lit review for an issue thats very specific to British research on the topic...any particular database you guys have in mind to start things off? Its only academic research, on a specific topic, very social science-y in nature, and is for a commisioned project thingy..any idea?

Thanks a bunch..:-)

PS: Here's an edit: located some stuff already, so dont bother!

PS: Also Juju, i interpregted the 'understanding expectations' bit as understanding expectations of roles and duties between supervisor and supervisee. that was the first thing my sup said at our first supervision, what are your expectations and we need to understand mutual expectations. Of course the whole of it is relative and only an idiot would follow it verbatim or follow it at all, the whole of it is so very individualistic.

Ya, I think it#s always worth a look to see the stuff that's lying around...And then, act like intelligent human beings and be selective about what we would want to use and how!
I dont even go by the PhD books available on the market :), so least of all a calendar...but its always of interest!

Thats why "of interest perhaps?"