well I used the example of a t-test, but basically all my studies are using bootstrapping, which a lot of people just don't 'get' no matter how easy an explanation I provide. I'm also using mutiple mediation i.e. so regression with 3 mediators in using Preacher and Hayes method, rather than baron and kenny. Its really not that difficult, but is just 'new' so I think it may cause issues.

haha another mixed methods question (!) this time on structure.

I have an exploratory design to my thesis - so my 3rd study builds on ideas that were identified in my previous studies. However, my sup wants me to put all the literature from my chapter on the 3rd study, in my lit review. I think this doesn't make sense because it comes across like I always thought I'd do this study, whereas in fact it was only because of things that came out of the 1st study and therefore there should be a brief overview (say 300 words) about the topic area of study 3 in the lit review, but the majority of related literature shoud be in the chapter, no in the lit review.

So am I right or wrong?

thanks both, its an odd one, because you can't actually test my hypotheses in any other way - so it would actually mean dumbing down my hypotheses to suit a simpler method, which I don't think its right if you can do it in a better way.

Problem is when I say 'complex' or 'advanced' it really isn't. I think I may show the results to a more stats-savvy person, my sup isn't the best person to check the work IMO.

The method that got picked up in the journal article is really common practice in other fields, just isn't in ours. I also suspect that the reviewer let their PhD student do the review, which means they probably haven't got a clue - the comment they gave suggests this anyway

I don't think he enjoyed the experience but its down now! I don't think it was a harsh grilling by any means, but equally wasn't a walk in the park. He's got about 5-10 bullet points e.g. typos, clarifications etc. that need to be done, and then obviously he needs to pay his £1k in fees :-(

i haven't been on here for ages :$ I've had a weird few weeks. I'm now worried the whole easter/wedding thing is going to upset my work pattern again :-(

anyway, last few days has been motivating -hubs has passed his viva with minor corrections, so that just leaves me to get on with mine. I have a ton of half-finished chapters and have no idea where to start really. Maybe I should try and finish chapter 1?? I'm really not in the mood today!

This is probably an odd problem. Basically during my PhD I have tried to enhance my statistics skills and I'm quite curious about new methods, so I don't see anything wrong with trying out new tests etc.

Anyway, I'm now at a point where I've done my stats, but its quite advanced (in relation to the knowledge of people in my field). I've already submitted an article for publication where the reviewers have said they don't really understand the stats - I've explained it in very simple language too - their comments were more like 'we don't see the need to do this, why don't you just do a t-test' kind of thing :-s (I have clearly explained there is a need to do the more 'advanced' stuff to control for error etc). My supervisor is also not good at stats and can't understand what I've done.

SO now I'm scared - maybe I should do the simpler stuff, in case he more complex stuff (which is better and more rigourous) gets pulled apart in the viva because the examiners don't get it?

You can be a 'chartered psychologist' with the BPS, with a PhD, but you can't be a chartered psychologist in a certain field without field-specific qualifications

e.g. you need to have an MSc (I think) in forensic psychology and do 2 years supervised practice, before you can be a 'chartered forensic psychologist'.

Use excel is my advice!

I think macs are great, BUT they do restrict you if you want to use free/windows type programmes. Some say you can just split the drive and have windows and OS working - but what's the point of getting a Mac? - surely its the operating system, so if you don't use it, what's the point??

I personally would get a good laptop - I've just got an ASUS which is great. I'd work off that all the time. Use Mendeley instead of endnote and dropbox, with Office 2010.

I've had the same issues and I honestly don't know the answer. Its very difficult, especially as sup hasn't had any proper job offers for me - just a list of 'maybe' and 'hopefully' and '"if"s. Nothing concrete.

I've just been making sure they can't contact the referees until after the interview, but some ask to contact if you're successful in getting to interview - its a bit of a minefield.

Last summer I ended up getting 3 interviews, was unsuccessful in each and that makes it even worse, because my sup started to doubt me and how I 'sell' myself - she didn't take into account that the internal cnadidate got each of those roles.

I have the added difficulty that my sup has now told me to concentrate on my PhD and NOT submit applications to anywhere - great, but I have a mortgage!

No help, sorry, but I understand what you're going through!

I think you'll need to go through post hocs or planned comparisons?

lol - I live in SE london haha. Not had any muggings or stabbings personally though. Actually the area where I live is ok - its reasonably cheap, 10 mins from london bridge, but also close to a rather posh green area - great for dog walking and next to quite a few shops and restaurants. Let me know if you want location DanB!

yep - I'd live somewhere where its just one tube journey - its cheaper then. I have to use over ground and underground and it adds ££ onto my journey everyday.

This is a good website http://www.commutefrom.com/

Sometimes you can live further out (i.e. cheaper) and it still takes you the same time to get to your destination, so its worth considering

hmm, I'd use 'was', I know that's maybe not grammatically correct but I'd see "data were collected" as suggesting more than one set of data was collected IYSWIM?

0 - he didn't even know he was my sup until last week (4 years into the PhD) I work with him all the time though and he's really nice, so am going to get him to check over the stats as he's an expert