Thanks Ady - In our area this whole thing doesn't seem to crop up much, so I'm hoping the mere fact that I've 'tipped my hat' towards it means I get a tick in that box, if you see what I mean.

8-)

I was speaking to a top civil servant 2 weeks ago who was advocating 'teach first'

I've looked into it and its basically a teacher training programme, but you get trained up quickly and into 'difficult schools' (read: have to wear knife proof vest). You then can get fast tracked easily into a headteacher development programme. he was saying that for people like us it would be a great next step.

However, I looked it up and it was only £17-21k (21 in london) - I really don't see how they can expect people to be on that kind of wage for a few years, especially in london. Its annoying, but potentially worth a look if you enjoy teaching (kids I mean, not HE)

My back up (in my mind) was civil service :-s

Stupid pretend, made up 'deficit'

======= Date Modified 22 Feb 2011 12:18:28 =======
to clarify I basically want to know if this bit I've written is right or wrong

"The approaches of examining XYZ have been polarised by their epistemological stance. XX theories have adhered to a post-positivist perspective, whilst those emerging from disciplines, other than psychology, have adopted a constructivist or advocacy/participatory approach"

this is a very rough draft - so please don't go crazy over grammar or anything, I just want to know if I'm using the term "epistemoligical" right

then I can get on with my life!

haha, I already had that word doc after lots of searching this morning! thanks Ady.

So basically I refuse to get bogged down in all this - I'm just going to briefly discuss post positivism, constructivism and then talk about my mixed methods stuff and pragmatism.

Now the real question is are they (positivism etc. ) 'epistemologies' (can't spell it) or are they something else (e.g. ontology, theories, methods ARGH!)

ok I am confused and have a stupid question.

What is the difference between epistemology and a philosophical stance? or are they the same thing??

I think you can get a student version, or ask another lecturer nicely if you can run it through with them. I'm definitely going to do it because my note taking is awful and there's bound to be bits that I thought I wrote on scraps of paper that were actually direct quotes or something.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12532877

oh dear, yesterday was a bit of a write off, so I'm going to start by focussing on the PhD today and try and do some RA work tonight - as sup can't keep tabs on me :p

It would be great to make some real headway on this stupid methods chapter today!

Goal 1: Read through paper and make notes in document

If it was me, I'd take it. THere are very very few opportunities out there and if you need/want teaching experience then its a great thing to take on - it will also free up other time to work on your studies (if you're doing that) or pick up other work.

Also, there is a huge separation between HR and the department you'll be working in, don't let one HR person's lack of organisation tar your judgement on this.

Once your foot is in the door it could well lead to further opportunities

your supervisor sounds exactly like mine - living in some kind of dream world where accomodation, food etc is free (or at least she somehow assumes that my husband will 'keep' me - pah!)

It is very worrying isn't it - do you get a job that might lead you off the academic path? I worry that if I don't get publications out very soon then that's it for me. Applying for funding seems to take months and months, my sup has mentioned this too, but a) what am I supposed to do during those months for money? and b) what happens if I'm like the other 99% of people who don't get the funding? - we can't assume I'll be successful!

I'm looking at a job in a private uni this month and as its largely teaching, then I worry about my career, but then at the moment keeping a roof over my head is better than not, plus an academic job anywhere is better than a shop job/waitressing etc. which is what I'm looking at otherwise (Not that I'm even qualified for that!)

I nearly did hard copy surveys but decided that actually, they were less confidential than online (i.e. being left on peoples desks etc.) and if you email word forms out, then most companies have a policy where email is monitored - so its technically not confidential, because someone can monitor their emails and therefore their responses on your questionnaire.

I'm not sure which package I'm on, they've only introduced them. I think it cost about $9 a month. Although I know they now do an SPSS option which may be useful ? and I think you can only get that on the top package, you might want to have a look at what features you think you might need.

well I've eaten, but I'm trying to run AMOS and its been crashing on me :-(

hey curiouscat. I'm using surveymonkey for a 360 appraisal. I have one survey for the self responses and one survey for the raters to rate that person, if that makes sense??

I just ask them for the name of the person they are rating on the raters' survey. But I suppose you could give people a number, and then ask them to distribute that amongst the people they want to be rated by. I write them a letter they then send on to the raters, with the link and all the study details in etc.

Survey monkey can be SSL encrypted for added security and I password protect my surveys.

You could even set up separate surveys for each participant (bit of a faff!)

Sorry to hear you're in a similar boat Pam. I think I will apply, but with the full expectation that it won't get me anywhere (i.e. I suppose there's no harm in trying). I know how you feel - it is demoralising, especially in a recent case where I knew the record of the successful internal candidate and it was no where near as good as mine (not saying mine's amazing - the internal's was just rubbish!) Also doesn't help with my dad saying "well its going to be really really really tough for everyone and its only going to get worse and worse and worse" - thanks dad, always the motivational speaker ;-)

Oh well, I'll update the forum when I have my rejection :p