HI Heidi, I really don't know what to say, except that you are clearly amazing. You sound like a wonderful mother and a brilliant student (how many publications?! - what an ACHIEVEMENT!). And to have achieved it all while having such a difficult time... you are clearly a survivor. I agree with others - certainly try to get that deadline pushed back. Failing that, remember that you are only human, and there's only so much you can do. Set yourself small, realistic goals and slowly but surely, you'll make good progress. You're clearly very capable and as others have pointed out, have done all of the hard work. Writing up now is just showing all of that amazing hard work you've done. I think you can do this, because you seem very strong and capable. I'm so sorry to hear you're having such a hard time. Stay strong and hang in there. You're not alone in this. Keep us updated. Purpleflower x

Congratulations :-)

I used Excel in the end, but CaitlinBond's right, it can be done in SPSS also. If anyone needs to do this in the future here it is:

If your three variables are string variables ... then they can be concatenated to a six digit string variable using the concat function i.e. Transform >>> Calculator >>> then it would be Concat(variable1, variable 2, variable 3) ... concatenation will only work with string variables ... =Concatenation() in Excel should work with either string/text variables or with numeric/scale variables.

Cheers guys :-)

Thank you, I really appreciate that :)

Hi guys

I'm trying to figure out if there is an easy way of combining my variables to create a new one, rather than doing it all manually. I have 3 variables (first two letters of mothers maiden name, day of birth, and last two digits of phone number) for each participant. Put together, I want to produce a unique 6-digit code for each participant. Does anyone know how this is possible? I'm wondering if it's in 'commute variables' but can't find anything suitable?

Purpleflower x

I'm also trying to enjoy this final year, as I think it'll be the only time in my life where I can:

Work in my pyjamas

Choose my own hours

Do one project

Do something that I actually really enjoy

Have complete control over my own work

Purpleflower x

@ Snelison - I love that, it made me chuckle!

I agree, I think it's far more motivating to try to remember all the things I have done rather than those 'eeek' moments. The other day, I was having an 'eeek' moment, and my boyfriend said to me that in ten year's time this wouldn't matter and that I'd have the PhD. It helped it put it in perspective, and made me realise I can only do my best and eventually, I will get that damn PhD.

Wow, everyone seems to be doing very well! I'm doing okay I think, I just get frustrated that EVERYTHING takes so much longer than planned. I'm in the middle of data collection for my final study, and should be finished in a month with this... and I have *rough* drafts for most chapters. Are most people just writing at this stage, collecting data, or a mixture of both? Purpleflower x

Oh apparently it helps if you attach the link? :$ Doh! http://thethesiswhisperer.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/how-to-write-1000-words-a-day-and-not-go-bat-shit-crazy/
And on that note, I'm retiring for the day! ;-)

Also, I've just been reading this and have found it very motivating. I think the saying, 'there is no such thing as writing, only rewriting' is really good because it reminds me not to be a perfectionist but rather just get it all out of my head, and work from there...

Wow Button, well done you! Superstar!(up)

@ Busybee - haha, could not agree with you more on this! Or, 'what are you going to do after?' I hate that question!

Hope you all had a good day. I had a productive one, worked 8 - 4 and managed to write 600 words and seriously improve the structure of a chapter (which was aaaall over the place!). Am teaching tomorrow but am going to try get out of the mind frame of thinking that there's no point in starting writing tasks if I only have a couple hours to spare. Hopefully, doing it in some short bursts might actually be good for productivity!

Thank you Pineapple, this is very useful! Good luck with completing your PhD :)

Hi guys! I certainly know how you feel about feel overwhelmed, I'm petrified! I'm such a worrier, and am forever thinking about the worst case scenerio... However, I'm sure we will all be fine, and I bet you guys have done way more than you realise. I know how you feel about things always popping up, it's soo frustrating.
In terms of progress I've had a good week with writing, have been writing lots and slowly feel like I am making progress with a literature review chapter. I have drafts of four chapters, am on my fifth at the moment, and have three chapter to write from scratch. I also have one more study to run. However, after seeing lots of people on here that have managed to do it, I'm determined to feel positive. All we can do is our best, right?
What's everyone got planned today? I need to have a productive one of writing... I'll check back in later! Purpleflower x