Hi Goods,

I agree with what the others have said.

There maybe an other element as well: One can see the PhD as a (very) steep learning curve where one starts at a level below and at that stage needs to make decisions which at a latter stage ("Up the curve" if you like) they would seem suboptimal. However you are only able to see it that way because you have been through the PhD process and looking back at it. It is with any "Could be better decision" one makes: Once you know the consequences and had the opportunities to reflect on it you wonder why you have done it that way....

Also "Being a perfectionist" (what most academics seem to be?, and I do not mean this negatively) is often a major cause for stress and feeling down. It might be helpful to say: "Now I know I would do things differently, when I started I have made decisions which I judged to be right" This is OK and I am OK...

Hi monkey,

this must be a real blow for you!

Obviously it is normal that you are upset, taking into account the effort you put into it. As such it is important not to take any decisions at this moment in time: they will be blurred due to how you feel.

Believe it or not, if you give yourself some time you will feel somewhat better again. Then it would be time to analyse what happened to you: How come you overlooked this and why was this not picked up by your supervisor?

Once you are beyond analysis you should decide what you are going to do..

Hope this helps

Yes

must be time consuming.

I am not at that stage yet, still reading around quality im medical care to be able to set an actual research question.

Good to hear that you are doing your MD as well

Ah,

thanks

Was just a bit surprised, that's all.

How is your research going?

Hi Sosa,

I am a bit puzzled by your remark "I am a neurologist"

I was also puzzled by the terms like MD and PhD as I am from Holland where you normally would use:
1. medical graduation ( =doctorandus)
2. if you do your promotion you will be "doctor"
3. if you get your specialist registration your will be neurologist etc.

Most specialists would, I presume, see their specialist registration as the most important.

I am a General Practioner and am trying to do my MD

Regards

Fair point Nimrod81

Cheers

Hi,

I maybe the odd one out, as I wear a suit. I think it makes that you are taken more seriously and also shows respect to the ones who supervise you. It is an interesting experience to see how people speak differently to you just based on clothes, is sad, but in my opinion true.

Hi Winner,

not an easy to answer question, as for most posts in Spain you will need to have your own funding (and some are very expensive!).

However a lot of people in Spain can get an aside / parttime job, like in the tourist industry. I presume it depends on you status regarding residency whether you could do that.

No I haven't but I have heared it is very good.

Does it say anything regarding quality or is there another reason why you find this amusing?

Well,

you may be able to write a good peace of research regarding how people who do not know eachother are happy top share their knowledge!

Hi Goldengirl,

I am in the medical area and do most things myself. Probably my own fault as I could ask more help, yet vice versa there are no offers regarding how to write.
On the positive side I think there are plenty of examples from old papers/ theses, which can serve as a guide. I think the crucial thing is to have an explicit view of what you are actually doing (=a taxonomy) How to find that is als my major problem. Reading more seems to confuse me more...

As I said I am abroad (for quite a few years already) so I cannot give you specific names. The universities have research departments ("onderzoek")which you can contact (will normally also be on the websites)
Alternatively you could look at phd positions ("post doctoraal") in dutch newspapers (like "De Volkskrant") or in the relevant professional journals (for medical like in the BMJ etc.)

Hi,

maybe a first step is to try and define quality?

I am in the medical field and quality is a hot topic there. Obviously this would be different than a pure customer orientation

Hi,

I am from Holland although I live in Germany.

I can conform, if I may say so, that the Dutch universities, especially Erasmus in Rotterdam are of high quality.
Most people speak English and or German, yet it also expected that you speak English well (a bit of Dutch would be a bonus).
From a city life point of view Leiden, Utrecht and Groningen are great!

hi,

see what you mean, I am reading, and reading and nearly fall asleep. Problably to do with the massive amount of articles without a clear concept or hierarchy.
Have you got a specific taxonomy on how you are preparing or writing?