There are loads of things to keep u amused in London. Try the British museum, Tate modern among other freebies. If u were reading about the rule of law in China you might find the current exhibition at the British museum of the Chinese terracotta army fascinating (u have to pay for this one though!. It's reasonably priced though.

Welcome Olivia. You took me right back to the time when I started my undergrad and had to move into the halls of residence years back! wishing you well with your settling in.

Usually a couple of great papers/books should have the leads on refs, that is how i have done mine. It actually works and once you reach saturation point you will know because you will come across the same refs in any paper/book you read. if you see something new (ref) then follow it up coz it usually leads to something else new! good luck

Will try getting up when the alarm goes off for the first time too!

Greetings to you and hope this forum keeps you encouraged and amused

perhaps you need to change your supervisor. Try the suggested meetings and if it does not work think of asking for another supervisor. 3 years is a long time to go through this kind of hell. A PhD is already demanding as it is and having supervision nightmare can make things go over the top. I happen to have a wonderful supervisor and my work still gets me worked up and i would say you need a balance. Remember that this is your journey. Don't let this supervisor ruin it for you because if you are ever to drop out it won't affect his life in any way but it will change the course of yours. You also have rights as a student, be on your guard.

Olivia, am sure you will do well. I found it hard myself when i moved over here for my studies but i have since adjusted. there are many things that make UK interesting, including loads of freebies on the culture scene- museums/ galleries etc. you just have to make the most of it to be honest. the only thing I hate is the weather especially the rain, though i must confess that it doesn't rain all the time! As for starbucks it's now on every corner, which I think doesn't do justice to the brand! if you are going to be in London there are loaaaadddds of stuff esp on the culture scene. The British museum if fab. A part time job would be handy for extra dosh as London is one of the most expensive places to live. Wishing you well

9 months not bad at all CC, i am hoping i will use my forth year to do the write up because i definitely know that by this time next year i will be far from writing up. i guess a whole year of writing up is a good idea!

good question birdsandbees, am doing social policy and right now i am in my second year. been ploughing through literature for the greater part, have done some interviews, will do a couple more half way next year. Have written half way through (its an upgrade from mres) and now i am wondering how long its going to take me to do my write up. in your situation if you have everything together then i can imagine in no more 6 months, or less you would done. perhaps. Anyone else out there (social sciences etc) to share their writing up experience and how long its taken them ??

spiegboy i think you have a fantastic idea!

project over reputation

i agree with Doc2008 and Rick. saturation is the key. i admire you though cause that's a lot of work interms of transribing and analysis. Whats your topic on if you don't mind me asking?

Hi Rick

Sorry i took so long to get back to you, been up and about, yes i only used the recorder, no video, yes sound was ok. thing is you get better at it with time after a few frustrations! hope you it works for you too. wishing you.

So i would say 1.try having the discussion in a compact like room if possible and position the recorder right in the middle of the group 2. before you start explain to them why it is important for them to speak up and one person at a time 3. don't be weary to remind them to speak up during the discussion 2. if they are all talking at the same time, remind them to speak one person at a time! am afraid there is no magic bullet, but this worked for me! good luck and hope it gets better.

am so sorry Rick for the troubles that you are going through.Focus groups are generally difficult to record. when i did mine i didnt use a mic. i had them in a smallish room and people sat close together and I had to remind them from time to time to speak up. Passing around the mic will compromise the quality of your data, it makes it somehow formal and takes away those extra synergies, imagine hearing your own voice on a mic and you are just talking to 7 other people!!! You could actually do without it to be honest. the idea of people talking at the same time makes it hard to type out the stuff, though it somehow indicates the interest aroused by a question which may be desirable but thing is you what to keep it under control. always remember that you are the facilitator and you have to ask people to talk one person at a time. it takes getting used to, that is the reason why you can't have too large a group because its too hard to "control".