Hi Hairui,

sorry to read about the whole issue, and again, I think you are very brave.

Reflecting on what you write I think as well that option 3 (finding new supervisors) is problably the best option (for you, but also for the other parties). Question is how to do that. Are there any rules regarding this? I mean can your friends be your supervisors? Do they have to be attached to your university or can it be another? Or in fact can it be anyone as long as they are knowledgable regarding your subject? Have your "old" supervisors any suggestions or has all communication stopped? Is there an Ombudsman who may be able to help?

Rick

Hi Shani,

thank you for your suggestions.

I think you make a fair point in using what I have already got and maybe adding what the professor suggested aside of it.
Also good point in visualizing the perfect outcome as part of negotiation.

I talk to my supervisor in German, this is not my first language. On top of that I am not a very assertive person. As such I often find it not so easy to negotatiate about issues. Sometimes I make mistakes in the grammar (and spelling!) when I get annoyed or excited, making that my arguments do not come accross as good as I would like to.

Anyway, I have discussed the issue with my supervisor and we are going to leave the project for now how it is. I have booked an appointment with the professor end of Nov to discuss matters. By then I may see things different than at the moment, currently I just have very bad feelings about the whole process. Like was mentioned in post by Sarah: the whole PhD thing seems to smell!

Hairui,

I am shocked to read what as happened to you! So what will happen now? I mean are you able to continue with your project without the supervisor(s)? How do you feel about the whole thing? You must be devastated!

On the other hand I think it is courageous to stand firm and express your views (and very childish from your "support team" to walk out).

What are you going to do?

BTW not sure whether PM work on my system.

Hi Verypoor,

yes, obviously, you are right: Always good to listen to what the reason behind a suggestion is. Ironically I do not get the impression that I get listened to!

Thanks for your point regarding the spell check! (this feature does not seem to work on my computer).

Hi Hairui,

yes, it is exactly like your situation: "Just received an E mail indicating that there should be a change of focus". Like you, if I do that previous issues will not match, and I will have to re-write and re-research the literature. I would be happy if something like that would be suggested before the start of data collection, not when you are in the middle of it!

I have just phoned my supervisor, indicating that I am very annoyed by this. I find these things difficult as it is not my nature to be very assertive. Although the supervisor was initially defensive, he had to admit I make a valid point. I have clearly indicated that I will stick to what I am doing now. Supervisor indicated that for now we will keep things as they are and I will try and get an appointment with this professor to discuss issues.

Hi Smilodon,

Thanks,

I think the reason behind it is, that a change of subject (in fact it is a subject which it a lot wider than what I have done sofar), will be of more interest for the internal research which is going on in the department.

Just find it hard to accept that goalposts can just be changed.

Hi Thecoastman,

I am self funded, so if I do not like it, I can leave. Fear if I would say that I will just leave the project, that the university will say "Well, fine", as do not think they really care.

Hi Sneaks,

thanks for your reply. Yes I may be able to use the information that I have got. The issue is that I will need to arrange more focus groups (hard to organise) and that the outcomes of the previous ones will not fit with the older ones. In my opinion it makes the study less valid, in fact I feel that it very unprofessional to approach the project in such a way.

Good point though to use what I have got anyway for publication(s) and to make the changes in the actual thesis.:-)

dear all,

my supervisor suggeste a change of research subject based on a discussion which he had with the professor of the deparment.

Problem is that I have already done several focus groups and this would make these invalid.

I feel angry, yet do not know how to express this. I do not depend on this research, yet have spent about 2 years on it. Any thoughts?

Hi Jinio,

I am also doing qualitative research, yet using focus groups. I have a medical background and find the theory around qualitative research quite complex and sometimes a bit far fetched.

The Silverman book gives a good overview, although may not provide in depth knowledge. I found it useful to go to the sociology deparment of the library, just get several books from the shelve and to look up issues like "grounded theory" etc.
:-)

Hi Sillybilly,

sorry to hear about your troubles.

I agree with most of the advice given above.

I think if you are talking about publications that it is very important to get an idea how the journal wants you to write the article. Most have specific instructions on their website. I think one should follow these instructions to the letter. That will provide you with a structure.
Then try and fill in this structure with what you have found in your research. What is your conclusion based on your research, write in the method and result part how you have come to that conclusion. In the introduction provide info regarding what you are going to write about and why this is important.
Keep it simple!

Hope this help, you can do it!

:-)

Hi,

I agree with above remarks. I was more thinking of an episode of 3-6 months.

I mean if the research has been done and if you regular have written things down related to the literature etc. then it is (just) a matter of putting it all together. Still a challenge, yet as such you seem to have plenty of time if you would plan in a year.
:-)

In stage of organising, very difficult!

Individually they are OK, yet when it comes to a group session, all seem to have other things to do!!

Lunch is indeed a good idea, I make sure there are biscuits, refreshments etc. Other incentive perhaps is CME, which I may be able to offer via the university.

:-)

Hi A116

thanks for you reply.

You may be right, there is alway a possibility that something could go wrong, although I think it would be very unlikely. I wished these forms would have a certain hierarchy: for experiments the most robust system, for paper exercises just a few ticks in the box.

How is you research going? Getting medical doctors together is like herding cats, in my experience! What's your experience sofar?:-)

I have been asked to fill in an ethical approval form: No differention is made regarding the type of research. All participants are seen as patients or probands (test persons) and seem to need insurance to take part in the research project.

My project is related to asking medical doctors views regarding quality of care. This will be in the format of a focus group. Seems very innocent to me.

Should they be considered as test persons? Seems a bit over the top to me. Anyone's thoughts?:-)