Hi Adam, I understand why you are finding it difficult as it really is very slippery stuff-all shades of grey and no black and white. Have you thought about case study as a method at all?

Creswell outlines 'case study' as a legitimate methodology in its own right in his book Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design Sage Publications (2013).

HIs case study design-which can include multiple cases that explore an issue, event or concern uses interviews, observations, etc. (He provides an example such as teenage pregnancy-or something similar being 'the case'-a multiple case study would involve studying, interviewing and observing multiple participants and/or multiple research sites).

Creswell states that

" A key to understanding analysis also is that good case study research involves a description of the case... . In addition, the researcher can identify themes or issues or specific situations to each case. A complete description of the case would then involve both a description of the case and themes or issues that the researcher has discovered in studying the case" p 99.

Even if this doesn't seem right for you, the book is well worth a look for all of its advice-the other one possibly to look at is Yin (2009), Case Study Research (4th ed.) Sage Publications.

Good luck with it all...

Hi Crelansley,

While I agree with ultimax in that passion and interest are fleeting and you can make anything work for you if you use the right techniques, my reading of your post is that you probably don't really want to do the PhD right now.

I'm going to suggest that you focus on this decision rather than your present behaviours (which may be just your other self's-your unconscious- way of establishing what it thinks!). You say you would like to teach law to undergrads. Many of us would love to do this sort of work-not with law perhaps-but with our own disciplines. But the reality is that this is part of a very hard to achieve academic pathway that tends to require full commitment, and is not a ready option for good students, in term's of just getting that dream academic -just teach to undergrads and potter about doing a nice little project sort of work- many of us dream of!
I know of a few students who have also studied law and don't want to practice though-which is fair enough.

However, you also want to start a family quite shortly and possibly want to work part-time around children perhaps. Do you think perhaps just at this time in life, you might find something more practical suitable? if you want to teach, get a PGCE or its equivalent. Teaching law and English to senior students might be something that you find very satisfying and quite manageable with starting a family and living a life. And if you do this for a year-start your family, do a bit of part-time teaching or so and then later go back for a Masters or PhD, nothing will be lost. Another option would be to go to a career centre or counsellor, or your faculty and find out what your options are for work with a law degree if you don't want to practice. Perhaps you could get a one year sort of social work diploma and become an advisor in a legal centre or something similar. You may have many options you haven't thought about yet.

This is not to say don't continue on...if you decide you genuinely want this doctorate and it is going to lead you somewhere, then look at all of the advice CB and ultimax have given. You can do it...but make sure that you actually want to.

The other thing I would say is that by 6 months in-you may not be writing up the thesis, but it would be a good idea to be taking lots of notes and writing your ideas down-not just keeping them in your head. Just in response to CB's comment-not trying to worry anyone but alarm bells went ringing there. I might be reading too much into this myself. Ah well, alas my holidays are over and I must get off to work for the next term of middle school teaching now. Good luck with it all and just ignore advice if it doesn't fit-it is only one person's opinion remember.

When my daughter was applying for fully funded scholarship (and wanted to get into the universities that had the best reputation in her field) she asked her honours supervisor and the internal examiner for recommendation to key people.

They emailed these people and said something like 'I've recommended that Sooty might approach you regarding supervision for her topic, etc, etc). After her referees had emailed the top professors, Sooty then sent along her own emails, saying that Dr Readalot had suggested she approach them, and her email included some fairly detailed paragraphs outlining her potential topic, approaches that might be taken and a couple of sources, that she had already looked at that might be useful.

So in this way 'Sooty' could set up some interviews with the potential new supervisors, meet them, etc. They were interstate- which in Australia meant plane tickets, taking some time to visit both universities and meet people etc.


After she met the advisors-she then submitted formal applications. The applications included formal references and these were completed by her honours supervisor and department head (and internal examiner) and sent to the top professors, and the universities along with all of her other material for application. Both applications were successful so she got to choose.

So the referees provided an email introduction to Sooty recommending her as a potential candidate and also breaking the ice for her and the top professors. References may have mentioned things as well-but Sooty did not mention these in her formal application only in her first email 'expression of interest'. Hope this is helpful.

Hi Jughead,

the other four major qualitative methodology types to check out are narrative inquiry, phenomenology, grounded theory (constructivist or other types) and ethnography. I know that you can have a similar sample size in phenomenology, and would imagine narrative inquiry would be the same.

Even if you prefer case study (bit more straightforward and seemingly empirical) after conducting a bit of investigatory research, you might find that you want to adapt or change questions and even the precise method of methodology.

For example, after conducting my first interview, I have worked out that I will want to have a formal follow up interview-

originally planned -quick survey, 1 semi structured, 1 observation (plus follow up debrief), validation of transcript and summary and possibly an email reflection to follow for each participant-but now I need another formal interview-as I want to see if preliminary themes remain consistent or are a reflection of one day, one snap shop of time (if this makes sense).

I'm also thinking I am going to adapt my methodology somewhat and use aspects of phenomenology and case study-don't ask me how, I can just see that the data is going to lead me on a journey and somehow, I need to adapt the methodology-maybe I can have a quasi- constructivist phenomenological case study ( :) ).

The point is, if it is early days for you, then things should change...it is unlikely that you will follow the same path and what emerges from the research should lead you on a different journey-but I am still of the opinion (my opinion only-your supervisor's and potential examiners opinions are much more important) that the questions should be a little different.

(Hope there are not too many typos in this-I touch type quite fast and the writing is incredibly small so most of my posts are littered with errors and need editing once the post is up...when the writing is bigger and I can see my mistakes!).

Hey Charlie Brown, can you afford (mentally and in reality) to take a short break-of between 1-2 weeks where you can go away and just have some fun or relaxation. What you are describing sounds like burn out-but possibly having just a short break might help you with getting the energy for the final few months. Best of luck with it...you can do it. Think of that end goal point and how good it will be.

I would be really wary of this. For starters, are you sure you want to ask exactly the same questions? And if you do, would you really want to use the same methodology? Possibly you might get away with this on a technicality-although I am not sure about this myself.

Just imagine for example, it was your research thesis that someone used in similar way-you had hashed out the questions, read all about what sorts of methodologies might be applicable in this case and spent a fair bit of time mapping out your journey. You finish your thesis and someone else comes along (even though they claim to have read a bit about it) and basically takes your map (representing your research journey) and uses it to get to a very similar place and result (a thesis). Be honest, you'd probably be a bit miffed, surely?


The other thing that comes to mind is-if you are using these questions in a different sector (with a different group who have different characteristics) and in a different region (where different factors come into play), wouldn't the questions be shaped or adapted to fit the different characteristics and region by the different factors and characteristics themselves?. And not just shaped with 'words', but in the meaning and implication of the subject matter.

I've tried to give an example or model below-but it is probably a bit flawed because it is hard just invent something but hopefully you get the gist.

Eg: (Their question)

What post operative 'caring techniques' do nurses employed in Jimbily Jumbily Region, use to improve the recovery of heart surgery patients? (empirical case study).

Which do they find most effective?

(Your question)

What post operative 'caring techniques' do nurses employed in Fanny Brown County, use to improve the recovery of hip replacement patients? (empirical case study).

Which do they find most effective?

Compared to your (found a new teeny tiny gap but it is really different all the same) question.

What do nurses in Fanny Brown County, believe about the use of 'personal caring techniques' to improve the welfare of elderly patients recovering from elective surgery? (grounded theory).

When do they use these?



The second Fanny Brown question will take you on a different journey even if it is through similar territory, but perhaps you should ask your supervisor and see what they think.

Hi Shyamaranade,

The different universities will all have slightly different processes for their PhD applications and processes-even for international students-but applications for visas will be the same. Good luck.

Good luck also with resit exam and assignments. Take care of yourself over the next few weeks GM. All the best, P.

Dear Grumpymule, do not tell your supervisor about the termination please. Do let them know you have been really ill though.

Go back to your own doctor or the staff at the clinic you attended and request a medical certificate for your time off. They will not indicate the reason (nor should they). They will just indicate how ill you have been and this should be enough for you to resit exams and get an extension. If the clinic staff can't do this or are really busy for you to get to see them or something, then make an appointment with your own doctor and explain the situation, how ill you have been and that you need a medical certificate. They should give you advice about how to frame this to supervisors -as in what you say when you present your certificate. A bad stomach flu or something similar could be used as an excuse, if you have to explain. Even if you don't like 'lying' and don't believe you should have to-I would in this case.

The doctor will not judge. The supervisor may or may not judge but abortion can be an issue for Catholics and in any case, it is not the supervisor's business. In fact it is not something that you would need to discuss or disclose to anyone at all, unless you trust them and choose to do so.

She sounds like a difficult supervisor. Such people are abundant in the workplace and often just have to be tolerated until one can get a new position or get clear of them somehow through promotion or a sideways move. I have 20 months to go of a similar situation not related to my study though, so I know how long this time can be and how you just have to grit your teeth and get on with it at times.

However, this is your Phd not a job so I'd also agree with both Ian and Anon- give yourself some thinking time, so that you don't make an impulsive decision you might regret later, and if you must leave, then try to get something out of it for yourself, so that your work is not wasted.

You know, Anon mentioned a break for a month-at my own university, you can just put in for a month's holiday without any reason, other than you have chosen to take your annual holiday at that time. What if you did that-and this helped you work out a new plan-or simply gave you enough of a break to be able to either finish or wrap it up into a smaller project.

Good luck-it is a tough situation.

Hi Carefull, your description of your supervisor doesn't really provide the reasons that justify you leaving. Many supervisors only know general information about the area of study. Often where they provide guidance is in how to go about collecting data, writing proposals, and writing up the PhD. Even then the guidance is only that-guidance. You do the work and then they may comment or suggest you follow something up or think about an aspect of the topic.

For example, my meetings with my supervisor -which I have officially once every two months-would be once a month if I were full time-we often just have a long conversation. She may have read a draft of something I am writing but sometimes not. The advice and guidance she gives is often of the sort "You might want to consider enrolling in NVIVO-as this could help when you are doing some analysis". Often I bring up the major milestones and request specific information, etc. She is nice but very much a 'guide' who gets on with her own research and expects me to get on with my work as well.

Many PhD students would be expected to take on 'leading roles' in the guidance and support of students who are completing degrees that are 'below' the PhD in hierarchy (undergrad, course work Master students, etc).

So, I would tend to agree with Angelette and DrJeckyll (who made me really laugh) and 'just keep swimming'. However, if you really hate the PhD as it is something that is making you thoroughly miserable and/or having one is really not going to be part of your future life plan then Bichu's advice gives you a way to go gracefully.

The other thing to remember is that PhD students are not treated like undergrad students. As an undergrad if you are a really good student , you will often be carefully nurtured by staff. With PhD studies, it often ends up being more like a workplace, where managers often act just like your supervisor (and sometimes even worse) and people just have to learn to deal with it or find another job.
(I am not saying here that severe workplace bullying is something people should put up with-but poor management is pretty commonplace and you do have to put up with that).

Good luck with your decisions.

Maybe you should start charging for your CV service-given others are using your materials and obtaining work and you are still receiving no renumeration at all.

Have you thought about tutoring A level students and first year undergrads (and possibly postgrad international students as well).You could start by going through a private tutoring company but then once you have some contacts, perhaps even running your own service and doing this while still looking for work and publishing aspects of your work.

It might bring in some money, while you are still working on employment applications. Sorry to hear how bad it is for you...the employment market is really horrible in so many areas nowadays.

Here in Australia, it hasn't been as bad, but our present government have just brought in all of these new school funding reforms (good) which are being paid for out of higher education cutbacks (bad). No one is really happy about it and, no doubt, the end result for many in universities will be job cutbacks. Probably it will be part-timers, contract positions and tutors who will feel the pinch first though.

Good luck...sometimes bad luck does just happen...for reasons that we can't really do much about. But here is hoping that that really positive interview and offer are just around the corner for you.

Mesho, then you need to go back to the professor who supervised you in your Masters and explain the situation again to him.

It is unfair when the things you have explained happen. I think it must be easier for them to happen when there is a cultural or language difference as well.

Go and get the other references as well, and then go to this professor and explain that you just want a 'basic reference' or 'neutral reference' (as another OP said in another thread) to support the references that you will get from your workplace and other professors. If he won't, ask him why and put your case to him. All you want is for him to say that you completed your Masters at his university with him and you passed with the grades you outlined. It is simply to 'back up' the other references.

Most universities would have some support officers for international students. They might work in the language centres or in the student counselling centre or in the student support centre but there would be some people there who are experienced in the difficulties people face, as well as how to support students from a different country, language and culture. Even if they don't accompany you, they may help you with approaching this professor and with outlining your case in a positive way, so you can all move forward.

Best of luck...

Mesho,

I think if you apply for PhDs (in the UK at least), you have to put down all of your tertiary education. That includes unfinished Masters as well as the finished one. However, many people would have unfinished tertiary studies-it doesn't mean that you would not get PhD
as the university would also consider that you have since successfully completed a Masters.

It might be hard to get a scholarship in the UK without any supervisors recommendation. Is it possible to get a recommendation from your employers (who are offering the scholarship). And also to ask your other supervisors again, for a recommendation? If they are refusing, you have a right to know why they are refusing to do this. So make an appointment to see them, if you decide you wish to do a PhD in the UK. You may also be able to get some help with representing your case from the people who support international students (in your old university-there must be some support officers there, who might be able to help you talk to your professor).

Given all the issues, do you really want to do a PhD in the UK? Can you do one in your home country? You and your wife might be happier with this option in the long run.

I know that many people in industries and workplaces publish without having PhD's but publishing with or without a PhD is usually hard. It often takes a long time to get a journal article accepted, so while you could try this It would take a while to achieve success. In the meantime, you are worried about your idea being developed by someone else. Can you patent your idea? Is this a way out?

I think that if you want to take up your scholarship in the UK (for three years) because this will have more value in the long run for you and for your employer, then you will need to sort out the reference issue with the university where you got your masters. And you will need to put down your Masters from the university where you dropped out. BUT, you could do this and present your case, explaining why you dropped out of the first (extenuating circumstances) and also request a very good reference from your workplace and request a basic one from your professor.

If he won't give it, ask him to give you a reason in writing and use what support you can from international student support services. My feeling is if your idea is worth developing and you are coming with a fully paid scholarship from your employer, then there will be universities who take you up on your idea, provided they believe that you can complete and you can write your PhD-or get help from people who will support you to write your ideas to the standard the university requires.

I hope this is helpful and also hope that people with more experience in the area of industrial PhDs, etc, can offer their more experienced advice.

Hi Mesho,

I am not sure whether my comments will help, because my experiences are very different from yours. However, I will try to add some feedback.

Because your story is very complex, I have summarised it here. I hope you don't mind. I think this is what has happened. (But say so if it is not correct).


1 Started MSc in UK and had lots of problems (allergies and bad health, wife hates UK, you wanted to upgrade to PhD but application wasn't successful)
2 Given all the issues, you decided to call it 'quits' for the time being dropped out of that Masters and took a break.
3 After a little bit of time, you applied for another Masters and had some success, although the professors were pretty tough on you
(possibly because of your previous Masters and dropping out).
4 You received the marks you wanted, but you had to really fight for them and you wanted to graduate with a Masters with Merit but because of your previous masters experience, your professor told you this was not really possible (create bad feeling from other university).
5 You went home, sorted out health problems, got a great job -even though your supervisors did not supply references- and you and your wife have a beautiful baby now.
6 You have done well in your job and your employers have offered you a scholarship based on an industrial proposal.
7 When you told your professor, (from the university where you got MSc) he was really surprised and you believe that you would not get support from him, or your previous university (the one where you dropped out of your Masters before finishing the new one).
8 You currently are very happy back at home, with your job, family, wife, etc. Is it worth changing all this (for better or for worse) for a PhD?

Now you want to know:

Should you go for PhD in UK? If you send your proposal out, will you be refused PhD on past experiences, but universities might take your idea anyway? Should you try to publish your idea in journals (giving professors second authorship) and then go for PhD? Should you look for industrial collaborators?

(I have put my comment to your problems in the post that follows)