I see,

well often these things go hand in hand: the things you like doing are usually also the issues in which you are talented.

Have a nice evening:-)

Hi Emmaki,

do you mean it is natural for you to catch good fish or to enjoy the fishing and the swimming? (lol).;-)

Dear Rubystar,

I have done qualitative research and used the Handbook of Qualitative Research from Denzin and Lincoln.

You may know this book already, there is some information in it regarding heuristic research and narrative analysis.:-)

In line with the previous posting of Tsipat has anyone got any specific sports or projects which they are exploring during the summer?


I frequently go in the gym, although I find it very boring. Looking for some sort of sport / project which is good for mind and body, yet which is also interesting to do. Anyone got any experience in for example archeological excavations, climbing, cycling with a rowing- or arm bike, speleology(?) etc?:-)

Hi tsipat,

although I am not a camper myself I think it is very beautiful in Germany: plently of forest, lots of hills, mountains and very clean.:-)
Try areas like Eiffel or Sauerland, or further south Black Forest etc.

Thanks Avalon68,

I did not know that, learned something today.

:-)

Hi Poppy,

I have never published in an open access journal before, but did manage to get some publications in the peer reviewed ones. My impression is that the peer reviewed journals are pretty hard already: takes a long time, have to make peer reviewers changes and if you are unlucky it gets rejected altogether.

If an open access journal would be more difficult, what would then be the advantage of sending it there? Is it not that the peer reviewed ones are the ones which have most impact?

Dear lostinoz,

I think I understand what you are saying. I can also understand that you feel anxious about making a decision and that every few hours your views seem to be different. Also it comes forward from the various postings that there are mixed views regarding whether one should take a break or not. As such there seems not to be the right or the wrong step or answer.

Food for thought:

A lot of problems solve themselves without making a decision
Value the unknown
Look at it from another angle
Respect the views of others

Yes lostinoz,

these issues around the analysis and the waste of time must be enormously frustrating and a killer for your motivation.

However it seems that you have three main options:

1. continue low key

2. have a break with the risk of not getting started again

3. stop the whole thing now

You have probably already done this, but it may be helpful to set the advantages and disadvantages against each option.

From your writing you seem to indicate that you are not so sure regarding getting a (long break) nor regarding stopping altogether.

As always finally it is your call what to decide. Completely agree that this cannot be an easy choice.

Hi Silvietta,

I just thought: can you write first in italian, then translate it into english?
I mean that makes it a lot easier to write, getting in a flow. If you do everything straight away in english this could be hindering the creative process.

Obviously sticking to italian all the time does not improve your english, so in that way it is not recommendable.

Hi Pamplemouse,

an aggressive supervisor seems to me an absolute "no". It cannot be that you are afraid of your supervisor and how he may react.

Perhaps this is an ideal opportunity to change and indeed as suggested by the others it would be good to get the university involved to negotiate for a solution. I would rather have a less knowlegable supervisor with whom one can work then one who is shouting at me, but obvously eventually you have to decide yourself how to continue.



:-)

Hi lostinoz,

sorry to read about your troubles. I can understand that you want a break, must be very frustrating to have to go through the analysis again and to see that there is constantly new literature coming out, making that you have to rewrite things again etc.

Howevever to a certain extent your supervisor may have a point. As you are part time the whole process takes quite a long time already, with a break it may even be longer and may take all your motivation. Also this issue of new information and publications may even get worse, perhaps making that you come in a vicious circle.

Perhaps it may be an idea just to "crack on" / "low gear", but at least to keep going. Things will probably change for the better!
:-)

Dear Tana,

I think it depends were you are from. If you are from the EU you can stay as long as you want, get a job etc. If you are from outside of the UK I am not 100% sure. I think there are special regulations for students from the comomwealth, but for the others I think it depends on the visum they have got. Perhaps the Foreign Office can provide you with more information regarding this issue.:-)

Hi lostinoz,

.....but stress the importance for your department, what benefits will they have from it (representation at the conference, making sure the department is present, provide them an international flair, the opportunity for key researchers to hear about your department and its projects, money well spent, good value for money etc.)

I think it is all about win -win: the department must get the impression that is is worth sending you and you must assure that you are able to attend.:-)

Hi Silvietta,

recognise the feeling. I agree with all the things Emakki and yourself already said.

For me it was also very useful to have a native speaker read my writings and having explained the errors. This really improved my writing skills. Often it is the "nittygritty" which is the most difficult, which one can only learn by being corrected by a "local".

Kind regards,

Rick:-)