Hi Teek,

in medical education students / applicants are often assessed based on:
Knowledge
Skills
Attitude

Ideally you should have be perfect in all three, however this would not be realistic. Everyone has got their strengths, weaknesses and preferences.

The potential employer can help you regarding knowledge and skills, yet it is hard to create the "right attitude". Therefore I think that may well be the crucial factor.

As such it would be useful to know what the ethos and culture is of your future employer and for you to check whether that fits with your norms and values. Common and often appreciated attributes are (which I think would probably apply to the NHS): open to other peoples' views, non judgemental, preference to work with people, enjoying interaction with colleagues, desire to strive for improving the service etc. etc.

Hi DanB,

I remember your name and nice to see that you have nearly completed your PhD.

I think if you have managed to get this far, you will manage the viva as well.

Remember you are the only one who has put so much time and effort in your topic, as such you are the expert at the viva! Good luck.

Thanks Maria,

think you are right and that what I am doing at the moment: not writing anything. I just write down a few ideas on a piece of paper, now and again. Then hope that the inspiration will come again this weekend.

Sneaks, Chris, Lara,

thanks for your useful remarks.

yeah, good point.

indeed, what is the key message? Making that clear and the writing (and living) is easy.

Now going to read a book to relax a bit.

Keep in touch.:-)

Thanks Sneaks,

yes, recognise your approach of splitting it up in small chunks and then to relate it to the literature and to assess what potential implications it could have.

Idea of telling my mum is interesting, but not sure whether she would understand. But a good point, I could discuss it with a colleague to see whether it makes sense what I think.

I see,

funny that you have to do that.

I have learned that issues like style and grammar are probably as important as the actual content of the doctorate.

Dear all,

at the moment I am trying to write the discussion part of my thesis. I have all the data from my research, yet find it very hard to come to a conclusion.

I have made several different schemes regarding how I could write things down and as a result I have piles of schemes, yet do not seem to find the correct entry (yes I am a theorist and reflector, not an activist!).

I am thinking of leaving it for a few days, then to restart again. Any other people struggling with the same issue? Is there something like an optimum break length? Or any particular tricks to get the writing juices flowing again?

I checked it in the Oxford dictionary and it is "He led the way".

Sneaks,

wait a minute.

I think there is often confusion regarding these kind of words and sometimes there are differences in UK - and American English.
Perhaps we got a linguist on-line who will correct me?!

Are you correcting your grammar?

Hi Sneaks,

according to the Microsoft spell check it should be "He led the way", not to be confused with "He read the book".:-)

Hi Jojo,

in my opinion your idea of spending a relatively long on time on how you are going to structure the discussion, is a good one.
I think what you have found in the research, what implications that could have and how this is linked to the literature, are probably issues that should be addressed.

Perhaps you could use the system which is often used in publications:
1. Main findings of the research project
2. Comparison with the literature
3. Implications for policy makers
4. Outstanding questions, future research

Obviously it depends a bit on the field you are in, so have another look at how the papers you have read for your literature review are structured.
:-)

======= Date Modified 27 Nov 2009 14:07:53 =======
Hi Walminski,

sorry, one way or another two replies instead of one.

Hi Walminski,

sorry to hear regarding your gripes. As several other posters have mentioned you normally seem to be lateral thinker who shares good ideas on this forum. Obviously that does not mean that one cannot feel low oneself.

Sometimes it is useful to have a little bit of distance towards what you are doing, that is the PhD saga. It may help if you "just" try to let go, try and accept that the situation is how it is and "just" to plot on. A bit like seeing it as a day in the office, work the hours and once these are completed "go home" and relax. Try not to focus too much on achievement, keep on going in small steps, tick the box that you have done it and continue, finish the day etc. It is a bit like judo, just fall with the issues and problems, do not fight them.
Usually with time the tables turn and you can manage everything again. Do not give up, as mentioned you can do it!:-)

Hi Lostinoz,

perhaps it is also a good idea to make sure that you are really happy with the new project and that you are absolutely sure that it is better than your current situation. Not much use in moving from your PhD, which you are not happy with, to another research job in which you would end up unhappy again.

As such it may be good iidea to stick to you guns and really make sure that what you want is what you get. You could sell this , for example: "I am actually doing a PhD, I am quite experienced and I can stay if I want to, yet I would be pleased to work for you, so what have you got to offer?"
"For me to come over these and these conditions need to be fulfilled etc. etc. "

Just food for thought...