Hi Sue,

I think that if you put in most of the work then you should be the first author.

You indicate that you have a good relationship with your supervisor and as such it would not harm to discuss the authorship issue. Perhaps she agrees and everything is fine. If she does not agree and has good points for her to be the first author, you can always still accept that and no harm is done.

I think not discussing the issue could actually have a negative effect on working relations, as you may feel that your input is not recognised as you feel it should be.

Therefore I would suggest to clarify the matter with each other.:-)

Hi Bulbs,

I think it as a common phenomenon that on reflection the interviews could have been done bettter. It is just that when you are interviewing or moderating a focus group it is hard to think of everything and to have the perfect answer on anything. As such I think this is inherent to the process. Of course the advantage of using grounded theory is that you come across these issues while you still have interviews planned and you can then assure that you explore these questions in the next session.
If you have stopped interviewing altogether and you have still found significant gaps then you have not got saturation, and perhaps a few more sessions are required.
If no sessions can be organised anymore perhaps you could write something like a justification for that.:-)

Eska, touché!

???

Not sure that I completely understand your latest replies.

Just expressed my views, obviously respect you views. No hard feelings. I would not expect anything will change based on my remarks, so do not worry.:-)

Hi Apple,

it was possible to use the data from my analysis, yet on reflection another method might have been more profound. However in the strengths and weaknesses part of my research I have explained these issues.:-)

Hi Eska,

yes, I would like it if there would be some form of ettiquette at the forum. I think it is obvious that postings should not be abusive, and the moderators are looking at this. Similarly you could think of some guidelines regarding how to get the most out of this forum. For example as a group one could say that posters can enter any question, yet should ideally follow up, especially if a responder actually asks them a specific question. Plain advertisements should not be on the forum, again I think the moderators are looking at this, please avoid very vaque questions regarding where to find a PhD, please feel free to add questions regarding the PhD process etc. etc.

I agree that there is no need for formal approval on what you want to post!

I do not know what the 'last one to post on this thread wins thread' is, perhaps you could explain and or re-introduce it?

To Rubyw,

yes Ruby, I think you are right that different forms of (in)formality are useful and may spark more responses and interactions. This could be in separate fora or in this particular one. Just a matter that the "posters as a group" would feel comfortable in entering their remarks, in other words having or creating a culture in which this is done. I do not know how this works on other fora like facebook or linkedin, have never used them. Are these more like "normal conversations"?

Hi Cobweb, Danzig, Eska,

obviously I think too that it is crucial that the ones who want to write something feel free to do so and the ones who like to read the reactions just do that and are not obliged to enter any information.

But imagine if you are with a group of people in a bar, all having a beer, and say "A" would say something like: I have this problem with my PHD, I do not know how to analyse these data etc.... and then walks out of the pub. Then "B" and "C" would say something, while the others are just looking without any sign of connection. I do not think that would be a long conversatation.

As at a forum there is no visual picture, no body language, it is even more a "black hole", where one does not know whether others think it is a good question, a stupid one, they do not care or are to afraid to answer etc. As such I do believe a certain "forum culture" could make the forum livelier, for example by trying to respond on your own postings, by readers to add something like "I agree or I do not" etc.

Thanks to all who responded.:-)

Hi Missspacey,

thanks for your reply.

I see your point, not to post too many messages, as the lack of reponse may be discouraging.
However that is also a pity, as I think a wide range of views makes the forum much more valuable. Even if various people express similar views this is worth adding, as it will make the argument more "reliable" .:-)

Hi Apple,

I think this is part of the learning process. We all know that we need to think carefully before starting a project, yet as this usually the first time that you do something like it, inevitably one forgets something, or something happens what one had not expected.

My data were mainly qualitative, as such I do not know the ins and outs of your area, but I think the key issue is how to be able to manage which the data you have got and to write in your thesis / publications that you recognised the missing issue.:-)

I just wondered how interactive this forum actually is. There are a few threads which run for quite some time, with plenty of replies and remarks from the orginal poster. However I think a lot often spark only a few answers and the person who had posted the issue does not seem to react on those. Or am I wrong? Perhaps there could be some sort of code of practice, that if you post something that you try to provide follow up? Obviously many posters do seem to do this, especially the "inner circle", yet I think this "good behaviour" could be more widespread. Any thoughts?

A walk in the hills or mountains, getting very tired and then reaching a hut, when you already had the feeling that you would not make it.
In the hut a fire to warm yourself, some basic food, some tea in one of those metal mugs, a hot shower and finally a comfortable bed.
Just those simple things in life, which are so hard to actually get yourself to do.

And obviously it makes me very happy to be away from the small irritations and frustrations, the paperwork, the irrelevant issues, the dumping of work on you etc.:-)

Hi Sue,

yep, the reality can be quite depressing.
You write that you only want to do research, yet you also recognise that networking, being entrepreneurial etc. are important to get anywhere in academia.
I have learned during the time in research that, indeed, having the contacts is very important, if not the essential part of getting anything done. For example setting up focus groups only happens once you know a certain amount of key players. As such I think that communication skills, networking etc. are an integral part of any professional job and for people like myself, introverted, one can only try to learn to improve in that area. Not easy, but I think the only way forward.

Hi Keep calm,

try asking them to draw a picture of what their best and worst teaching experience was, and then ask them to present that to each other.

This makes that things become very informal, artistic work going on, presentations, and it helps you to know what they expect from you as a teacher (in general the best experience is with a friendly enthousiastic and knowledgable teacher, which I am sure you are!).

Hi Birdie,

this must an aweful experience and probably everyone's nightmare.

I am afraid the issue is mainly about intellectual ownership. To own the proposal you need to have some sort of proof that it really yours, that is it must have been published with your name attached / copy right granted / the orginal needs to be with a sollicitor etc. All things which I think are probably not the case. Also, as you E mailed the proposal to the other person, he has received it from you, and it will be difficult therefore to say that he cannot use it.

Obviously this is all very unfair, yet in a court of law I do not think you would have a very strong case.
However at uni level, perhaps, you could get information regarding these issues and even get some (legal) advice.