Currently I am running normality tests on my data. Whilst doing this, my output produces several pieces of information such as:
- 5% trimmed mean
- Skewness and kurtosis
- Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic
- Histograms and Q-Plots
My question is which piece of information whould be the most informative to determine normality? Some information (Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic) would suggest violation of normality whilst others (trimmed mean) indicates normality. I have quite a large data set and have read that even if some tests suggests violation of normality, this is common in larger data sets. I'm rather lost with so many messages! :-s

That sounds great for a Monday ;-)

13 big juicy tomatoes: DONE! (up) Not too shabby for a slow to start Monday. Sarahlouise, how did you get on?

Today I will reach 12 tomatoes. Happy monday all!

Hi all. I managed 10 today and am finished for the day! I used to try to do 14/15 because that represents a full day at work (7 - 7.5 hours) but at the moment I am finding the PhD stressful so am taking it slow and steady so I don't have a stress overload. What's everyone's averages/goals? I agree that not all tasks are best suited to tomatoes. I find it best for writing. Hope you've all had a sucessful day. Happy monday
;-)

I will be doing at least 10 tomatoes today! Have done 4 so far, and will start again after lunch!

Not sure if it's already been mentioned, but Creswell's book on Mixed Methods is amazing and help me loads! Might be worth a look.

Hiya there. It sounds as though you have a real passion for your subject, and they say a PhD is 10% intelligence 90% perseverance. Try to make sure you're doing it for the right reasons though - have you thought realistically about what you would like to study, and what you want out of the PhD? It's a long journey, and you'll need to do it for you, no one else. Maybe look about and see what sort of things to expect so you can make an informed decision. BW, Purpleflower x

Also, I will just say although I've not used any other program (so I nothing to compare it to), I love NVivo. Found it very easy to use and to organise my data. Lots of PhD students I know use it. Purpleflower x

Hi Anna

If you message me I'll forward you the dates of some NVivo courses all over the country. I have been to one and it was so useful!
Purpleflower x

Congratulations, Dr Sheena! I hope you're celebrating tonight!
Purpleflower x

Wow, screamingaddabs, that's great. I've never come across that before, thank you!

I am very sad and love making lists, SMART lists seems like a whole new world ;-)

Thanks again guys, you have no idea how much you've all helped!

Purpleflower x

Hi all

Firstly, thank you so much for your posts! Made me feel as though it is okay to feel like this. It's so good to know that lots of others can have second year blues (as well as first, third, and thereafter blues :p)

I'm definitely going to take all of your advice on board. I'm going to take the rest of the week off, to clear my head and try to relax a little - and to not feel guilty for doing so! The hardest bit for me is the guilt of not doing anything - it's so counterproductive too, as it helps nothing! I hope by the time I come back to it I'll feel refreshed and ready to go :) I'll start my making a brainstorm as suggested by Bonzo, that sounds like a good idea! And then I'm going to make a new years resolution type list for the coming year, to break things down a little, I think.. I can start to put deadlines together so that the whole PhD feels more manageable.

Batfink, how are you feeling about things now?

Thanks guys, purpleflower x

Hi all

Although this is my first post, I'm just starting my second year of the PhD and am a frequent visitor to this forum - so great to have such a supportive atmosphere!
Sorry to start on such a depressing note, but I just want to share this with someone. I'm basically beginning to feel really quite fed up with everything. The PhD is going well - or at least so I'm told - I'm working way ahead of schedule and still enjoy it. But lately I seem to have come to a real 'slump' - I'm finding it really hard to be motivated (working only a few hours each day) and I've lost the drive to get work done.
I was just wondering if anyone had any advice, if anyone has been through similiar, is this normal, etc.
Many thanks
Purpleflower. x(up)