right, today has been a complete disaster. I am on pain meds for leg pain and have literally just been staring in a spaced out way at my desktop. Doing a bit of work and essentially day dreaming most of the day. I am going to try and do at least 3 transcripts before bed, while other half watches tv.

urgh - this is going really badly! Must do better this evening

Ooh sounds like lots of work! good luck ev!

I have just finished my 2nd, only 38 to go!

Right today, I MUST finish thematic analysis on 40 interviews. So far I have done 1.

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I have decided I need my own accountability thread to shock me in to getting some work done. I always find the accountability thread too focused on writing up, whereas I am in the process of DOING and writing!

So even if no one else wants to join in, I'm going to sit here and hold myself accountable

Although, I would like to say, anyone else is more than welcome to join in!

I need to do some quick thematic analysis tomorrow. i want to do it on the computer, i.e. not on print outs and I am sick of trying to use the hghlighter in word.

Is there any free alternatives to Nvivo, just for highlighting parts of the texts for themes?

sorry that wasn't very specific, but I think a conclusion needs to perhaps have a definite 'side taking' rather than sitting on the fence and just reporting the facts.

I suppose a summary, is literally, "I have spoken about this this and this, and also this" whereas a conclusion is "I have spoken about this this and this, and also this BUT I think that they are rubbish because of this and that leads me to conclude blah blah"

keep an up to date diary for starters.

Then have a list of tasks you have to complete and under each task write notes/sublist of things you need to do for it.

e.g.

Attend research meeting
- email sarah to confirm attendance
- re-read last research meeting minutes
- prepare update about own research

I find my other half does stuff like you are saying - kind of rushing in and not checking methodically what you are actually doing. He gets round it by me saying "have you checked this, check it, CHECK IT!!!" maybe you need to just be more reflexive about your work, and constantly double check whether you have been through the whole process of what you are doing, and not just skipping to the end.

If you are totally sure, then why not just write what you have up for publication. That way the time hasn't been wasted and your friends/family/colleagues can see that you have produced something worthwhile along with an MPhil.

I have a pdf of a book with a chapter on discourse anlaysis and how to do it if that helps by Penny Dick. i can send it to you if you pm me with your email

maybe the big guy upstairs can help out?

Bug, what about this? - not really a confession but highly embarrassing.

I was watching a tv programme about people cloning your car numberplate and then you getting fines. They were suggesting you then changed your own numberplate if you had this happen to you. At which point, my mother in law said how annoying it would be if you had a personalised number plate. and then I said....

"yeah but you would have to be a complete t**t to have a personalised numberplate haha"

and you guessed it, yes of course, they own two personalised number plates (although I stand by my comment).

hmm my worst film ever was cabin fever - it was awful. But my film studies friends say it was really good. So maybe I missed something!

I always give my writing to my mum to read. She was taught proper grammar at school. I wasn't although she did try to pass it on, I don't understand the rules as well as she does, and I find that my 'younger culture' has ruined the correct grammatical phrases in my head if that makes sense. The worst one I constantly correct friends on is 'could of' grr. Anyway, I do really feel sorry for her having to wade through it all, but it is really helpful!