He Methusalah,

it is actually encouraging to see that you want to start doing a PhD. I think it is all a matter of "keeping on going", and has nothing to do with age. Even stronger you may have more life experience and be able to manage the process better.

Yeah ,see your point. They want more information but on the other hand the proposal can only be a few pages.

The trick may be to concentrate on their suggestions and use more words on that (than what you feel is required).

The other parts try to write really condensed. For the condensed areas you could use something like: This has been extensively described in the literature and showed that ...(references). However there is a gap of knowledge around.... and my research will concentrate on this etc. Therefore I intend....

Do not be suprised that when you bring it forward again that there may be other suggestions, this seems to be part of the process.

Hi Joyce,

in my case the proposal had to be changed several times, and in fact I am still developing it. Changes I think are OK as long as they are based on expertise and as long as the work actually improves. One should not forget that the people who suggest changes are quite experienced in their field and from that point of view it is good to take their suggestions into account. As such maybe option a would be best?

Piglet,

that sounds very impressive. Well done. You must be proud regarding achieved that.

I have not published anything(yet) and as such really think highly of the people who have!

He Piglet,

and et al stands for the other "piggies"?

Nice that you have publised and that you are referred to.

Correction; the best would be to start with the introduction, the literature review, methodology, results and finally conclusion

Hi Pea,

these type of quesions are always the best. In my opinion the best would be the introduction. This provides you the means regarding what you are going to present. For the ones interested you should then present the literature review, others can then go to methodology, results and conclusions.

Does that sound reasonable?

He Pea / all,

see it from the positive side: you probably have learned a lot over time, hence the difference regarding how you write now in comparison to a few years ago

Hi Ace,

sorry to hear regarding this. Seems that ethical committees live in an ivory tower, requesting all kind of conditions from research which are completely unrealistic. What kind of remarks did they make?

Aliby,

Maybe try and summarise a chapter, use appendix if required. Use summary as your chapter. Do this with the other chapters as well if it works.

Good luck

Hi citro177,

I think the key issue is to be frank and honest about it. This will help in making sure that you get some help regarding readings which may be difficult for you. From an occupational health point of view it does not seem to be a big issue, unless you would do a job where it is very important that you can differentiate (e.g. pilots etc.). So find out what explicitly you need to do during your PhD and discuss with supervisor / university if there are any doubts whether you could do these.

Ha, thanks Doc2008,

thanks for letting me know. Krueger seems to the person to go for!

Hi Shani,

sorry to hear how you feel. I think it is a normal reaction after repeated rejections. It is probably like a sense of loss which often causes feelings like anger, low mood and (eventually) acceptance. I think most people would have similar emotions. You probably need some time to cope with this. It may help if you could talk to people and express yourself. Shout how disappointed you are! That is a lot better than bottling it all up.

Take care

Hi MichaelA,

if you stop now you are actually "doing your supervisor a favour". His / her views are confirmed.

I would go for the viva and at least give it a try. You may well do very well! If you give up now you will never know and later on may regret that you did not try. You have nothing to loose.

Hi Shani,

sorry to hear that.:

How do you feel?