Hi all

I submitted a revised manuscript (only a few changes requested) to a journal, and have been signing in periodically to see what the status is. It has changed today from "Awaiting Reviewer Scores" to "Awaiting recommendation". Any idea what this means?

Cheers

Hey roundthingy! You're most likely good enough to do a PhD since you've been selected! Congratulations! One of the most helpful things I read about doing a PhD prior to starting was that it was less about intelligence (let's face you - you have a good enough level of that otherwise you wouldn't have made it this far) and more about things like patience, resilience, and blimmin' hard work (perseverance). Of course you're good enough!

You could do some prep, as pm133 suggests, if you are motivated to at this stage. But if not, I would just use it as a chance to give yourself a rest before starting. Also, once you start, it can feel a bit like you're completely lost for a good few months (nearly the first year for me) because of the lack of structure, expectations not clear etc. But it gets better : )

Hope this helps!

Yes, he may not have lost interest so as to speak, but he may have changed his behaviour because at the start he was making a special effort to make sure you were fitting in OK, you had a good relationship and could communicate, etc. I agree with TreeofLife that it would probably be better to seek social or other support from others in your life.

Change of plan... I am definitely going to do that... if it is only a short document it should be fine I think (I'll just try to send it more in advance in the future)... definitely liking the idea of preparing the ground that it isn't complete.

Thanks so much. Love this forum!

Thanks Bewildered. That is a good idea. There may not have time to read any email now, since the meeting is on Tuesday first thing. I will certainly think about it though in case they have time to have a look - it does make sense to email a brief report in advance.

You live you learn!

Thanks for the advice.

Hi there

I have a supervision meeting next week to present my preliminary analyses and discuss interpretation of my findings. The problem is: I haven't analysed the data as fully as I would have liked to have. The reason for this is that I have been learning the new statistical software and method. I have just about got my head around the software, and am now getting slightly savvy with the actual method.

I intend to learn the method better when I analyse the complete dataset (I've still got about a third more data to collect and code up) in a few weeks. Then I intend to send my final analyses to my third supervisor who is especially there to support with stats (though he is not an expert in the method himself). He won't be present at the meeting next week.

So, long story short... I am planning to "present" what I have... a sort of half done analysis of the first two-thirds of the data... and say so far the story seems to be supporting some of the study hypotheses (at least I have one plausible model to present, although I am not 100% clear on its interpretation beyond the fact that it fits the data better than the null model, and two predictors are in line with our hypotheses). I am wondering whether I can just honestly say at the start of the meeting that I am still learning the method - here is what I have done so far (as opposed to presenting this wonderful complete picture, which I think they expect me to have - especially as I had postponed meeting by a few weeks to give me more time to work on the stats).

Does anyone have any advice or tips about this?!

Thanks
Tudor

Get the answer or give the answer? Sorry a bit confused!

Being encouraged to "make friends with people from your part of the world". What more do you want?

It doesn't sound like manipulation or guilt trip to me. Just sounds like different expectations, which need to be talked about and managed.

All the best Selkie!

Fully agree with the others. Especially as you are self funding.

Who knows, in the future if you decide to do a PhD you may obtain funding - what a bonus.

All hypothetical - but it does show that you've got so many options.

Good luck in telling your parents sups etc if you decide to. They don't really have a right to be negative about it frankly! It's your life.

Not that everybody's experience in the UK is wonderful! I take that part back! (it won't let me edit!)