Teek - are you going to do your data analysis summary today??

Thanks to Wal's amazingness I now have Nvivo :-)

So back on track. Today's goals are....

- at least 5 interviews analysed
- Finish off presentation for thus completely
- Finish off 'hand out' for presentation on thus
- find something businessy to wear for thus (not jeans!)
- Do another 5 (at leat) interviews

Now - getting cup of tea and I WILL SETTLE DOWN TO WORK!

What deadlines do you have? Is it for the entire completion or upgrade or something similar??

I would say you should definitely look into analysing the data in two different ways, as you have so much of it. My area, without completely revealing my identity is around a certain section of society and their social mobility kinda (sneaks being very vague here)

Karl - are you planning to do further studies?

My PhD - there wasn't much in the area, so I did a qualitative study very similar to yours in order to 'set the scene'. I analysed the data in two different ways from my first study, and have gone on to build the themes into a questionnaire, for my second (or third if you count the data analysis x 2) and am doing a mixed qual/quant approach for my 3rd/4th study.

So what I'm saying is that this doesn't have to be the be (bee? bzzzzz) all and end all - it can be a building block or a scene setter. YOu can then go and expland your work or use it as a way to explain the process of your phd i.e. this study made me stop looking at this cos there was a dead end, or this study made me realise these important factors so I therefore went on to.....

Thanks Wal! (up)

I literally do sections of anything up to 7000 words on specific sections of the literature. Mine is quite easy to break into sections. The ones I wrote in the first year seem a bit silly and simplistic now, but SOO useful. It means when it comes to writing a flowing piece I already know the key arguments for each section so I know where I'm going with it. I still haven't written a lit review in full yet - I'm in my 3rd year. But am thinking once I know all my studies I will know which of these sections are relevant and which are not.

I think the best thing is never read without word 2007 on - and endnote and googlescholar so I can immediately go and chase down all those secondary refs (sometimes I never actually finish reading the original paper because I go off looking for the citations).

ooh yes please!!!

I just spoke to a really patronising lady from QSR international who said I won't get the software until tomorrow because the payment has to go to austrailia and "they are in bed now" grrr - sorry I thought you were 'international' and therefore cope working hours in the UK. Rant over - on with the presentation.

haha - just poured myself some coffee! Going to ring QSR international about their annoying lack of delivery! and try to get on with the thematic stuff. I have done a load of adminy work and will work on that presentation if they can't get me an answer by 2.

hmph this morning has been a complete waste of time. nvivo decided that I had already used up all my trial usage, so I had to spend out £70 to use it for the rest of term!!! V annoyed. And it STILL hasn't been emailed to me, so am chasing that, so haven't even started doing proper work. :-s

Going to have lunch - then work!

My advice would be seek support. even if you don't want it. It looks a lot better, when you do come to use it as an excuse, that you have at least tried to get support for it, rather than looking like you couldn't be bothered. At some unis they give away free laptops etc. so it might be worth it!

I'm social sciences but I never read and write separately. I did try to to begin with but just didn't see the point after several weeks of reading, forgetting, reading AGAIN and then writing. So I tend to have an idea in my mind about a section of writing I want to do and then read around it while writing it. I literally sit with a new journal article and with word up on the screen and just start writing notes. Obviously its often better to start with seminal articles that sum up the area so you get a general overview.

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My OH does a PhD and is dyslexic. It is maths based, which he is brilliant at, but the writing not so much. It doesn't help that he just writes like a stream of consciousness - just what's in his head. I then go thorugh and proof read and help him re-structure.

Although he refuses to use it out of stupid stubbornness. I can thoroughly recommend read and write gold-

http://www.texthelp.com/page.asp

its like a really good version of word spell checker and corrects any problems with homophones e.g. if you write SE it then comes up with "SEE - to look, SEA - the ocean" and you choose the correct one. (he has real problems with homophones). It also can read back what you have actually written so you can hear if you have written what you meant to!

However, his dyslexia has never stopped him. He might have to practice presentations longer as he stumbles over words but with practice and a lot of feedback they get better. He has the problem where if he doesn't know a word he will just mumble something similar and then move on, forgetting the audience has no idea what he means!

He definitely disclosed his dyslexia, because its always his maths/programming skills that did the talking, however, he does not mention it when applying for jobs, but does disclose it later on or if it is necessary to disclose on the application form.

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I had a similar weekend - I bought a new car! I have never had a new car before!! - and also bought complimentary seat covers and pet tube for the dawg so new car stays new

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/shop_dev/assets/new_product_images/dog_bag/pet_tube.jpg - so wicked! (yes I am now officially old) But I did manage to get out of going for old people (40) birthday drinks whoo and just lounged around instead. Feeling like I need to make a lot of headway with the thematic stuff - it is my nemesis at the mo! I have therefore downloaded Nvivo on to my desktop and am taking a new strategy, doing it at the start of the day, rather than it always being on the end of the list! So today

- thematic analysis - AT LEAST 5 interviews (I can have tea after 5 I have decided)
- email lady about data access for 3rd study
- sort out presentation now I don't have powerpoint :-(
- think about and possibly write down aims for data that turned out to be pretty useless but can't throw away so have to use it somehow!

I'm feeling a lot more positive today and the pain in my back/legs is easing and I am off painkillers so my mind is freeee - just got to find glasses before migraine sets in. I will report in at lunch.

http://www.hud.ac.uk/hhs/research/template_analysis/intro.htm