So far I have answered some emails, and I have done some online xmas shopping :$

Going to have an early lunch and a massive cup of coffee, write the article and then go watch a dvd (up) I'm so tired!

If you do use SM - please make sure you set it up correclty and do a few pilot runs. There are so many people in my department that finish their data collection and then realise they have unuseable data because they set it up badly

How is everyone today? Yesterday went well - presentation had no problems. managed to get a load of admin stuff off my back at uni.

Today:

- write an article for the mag in our discipline.
- thematic analysis :-s
- organise my desk/life for work next week.

Hey Wal,

Sad to hear your woes :-( you are always the one that brightens up the forum and supports everyone with your amazing advice and resourceful file sharing!

My advice would be take today off - completely off, put the out of office on and go and play in the park, go xmas shopping, watch dvds whatever. I think we all begin to feel like this at this time of the year, because its nearly xmas, but not quite and there is still so much to do, but you are not quite that bothered, which makes you feel like rubbish.

I have had the worst trouble with sampling - I defy you to have worse problems! I have got to the point now where if someone says they are interested in taking part I just think "its nice, but I know they will drop out, so who cares" . But you will get the sample you need so do not stress! it might just take a little longer.

I think most importantly, although the tips below are good, take breaks AWAY from the computer. going on to quiz sites is ok, but its still working your brain and your already drained computer eyes. Do like I do and play 'wall of death' with my dog!


If all else fails - how about a secret affair with someone at your uni?? - it would liven things up a bit

very true GB - my hubby gets home at 5 and I essentially do nothing but a bit of admin after that point. Altho it is useful having him as a PhD reference - he's been through it (and he can do stats) which is always a bonus. I don't think I could do it with somone who didn't understand the type of work involved.

this is the very issue I'm facing or will be. Me and my OH are both PhDers, he has finished, mine is up in oct 2010. He is currently in a job, but would like to get back into academia at some point. The worst thing is where do we go? whereever he goes, there is nothing for me and vice versa. We are trying to stay around london as there is more liklihood of jobs here, but realistically I will prob have to take a consultancy job to get by until we get a lucky break. We also have a dog and 2 cats so we really have to buy a house where we do go, rather than rent, which makes it even harder (although wouldn't change this as love the animals!)

careful now - don't want to hurt yourself on those things!

they all got aboard and waited for the bus to get going, but Jemima wouldn't pull away.

"what are we waiting for?" said PhD Bug

"that" said Jemima, cupping her ear.

All the AFKABs listened carefully, they could hear deafening repetative thuds getting louder and louder. They waited and suddenly two huge legs hoved into the view through the windscreen. Green giant legs, and the being seemed to be wearing huge wooden clogs! They peered upwards, it was a troll! But why was a troll wearing clogs??

After much discussion on the matter - and papers presented by each of the AFKAB's at a seminar organised by Jemima in the school bus toilet, they came to the conclusion that this, probably norwegian troll had come down through europe (including holland - thereby getting clogs) and had arrived here, in this desolate region.

The troll screamed "a caelo usque ad centrum"

the AFKABs in unison cried "WTF? what does that mean?"

I think you have a fair point, but you would, in my field anyway, have to do a general MSc and then a specific MSc after that to even approach the kind of depth you would get from a PhD. The PhD also trains you in so many ways, working independently, writing, publishing, thinking your way out of annoying problems. Working for another researcher is great, but you will get told what to do all the time - altho I guess it depends what your sup is like, mine hasn't contacted me for weeks!

shouldn't you be working clogs?

out tomorrow to uni for the first time in 5 weeks and then doing the dreaded presentation so my aim for tomorrow.

- get through the day without too much pain
- do the presentation without messing it up too much or insulting people
- get home without need for an ambulance

will check in again friday (up)

woo - is it running? I can't run cos i have the back issue - what a shame! I do however do craziness on my recumbant exercise bike when I have it (we have been living away from home for 4 months) and it keeps my back in check - I haven't been into my uni for 5 weeks now cos of my back so need it really. We are moving back to the bike in xmas woo hoo! I get to watch dvds while on it so that's a bonus.

Just had my 3pm shower - a ritual for me! and now going to do the last few thematic analyses before OH gets home. The kid ilive with has brought another one home - both 5 years which is slightly annoying but maybe I can just teach them some swear words or something to pass the time.

There was an article recently in the 'psychologist' - a member only publication which suggested incentive snowball sampling for online questionnaires. So you don't get the incentive to complete it, but to pass it on to 10 other people or something. This may combat the problem of people completing it just to get the incentive meaning you will get a load of rubbish data where everyone has just put neutral neutral neutral.

I am just not sure how you would go about recording who passed it on and who didn't.

My incentive for mine is £150 amazon voucher for one lucky respondent haha. I would recommend survey monkey but the only thing I have found is that it can't do piping - that is, if you want to use details they have inputted in q1 in a question later on, you can't.

hmm - gym, you sound far too dedicated. I have just eaten half a green and blacks white choc bar (yes the big ones). Now feeling sleepy.

My target is another 3 analyses by the end of today though!

I find I can't do any work if I have anything else in the day planned at all - its just a psychological thing. Even if its going shopping in the evening - I hop about all day and don't do anything. Must be because my life is so dull!

3000 words is a lot! I actually LOVE writing and hate doing anything else so would love to be in that mode at the mo. I am in thematic analysis hell though until I can get this sorted. And beginning to feel a bit nervous about the presentation tomorrow.