Hello asl2016!

I think it would be fine either way (to contact them or not).

An advantage of contacting them first is that you could explain your situation before the interview, as you've said.

Also, it would be good to include that paper on your CV or statement for the application - so that they notice your cosupervisor's name (if he isn't dealing directly with the applications).

Best of luck

I did the very same thing!!!! Submitted an older version by mistake on Turnitin! Yep, it is the hard copies they actually mark. I dropped a quick email to the admin office and the first marker just saying what I'd done IN CASE by chance one of the markers decided to mark the electronic version for whatever reason!

Well done and all the best for January (PhD?)!

Thanks everybody - this is very helpful.

I was sent a report but actually it was more of a list of things that are problematic for the student, such as group work, speaking in front of others, presenting, etc.

Therefore, I've planned the first seminar so that students can work through the activities in pairs/small groups or individually - as they prefer. I will facilitate discussion but will not "go round the class" (forcing everyone to contribute).

I was thinking of either talking to the student after the session (or emailing them after the seminar), as IntotheSpiral has said - to let them know I'm aware of the situation and happy to discuss any strategies etc. Or would it be better to send an email before the seminar? Only problem being - this is all very last minute - the student may or may not see the email before the seminar on Monday. Maybe that doesn't matter?

Hi all

I'm doing some teaching again and this time I have been made aware of a student with a disability affecting their ability to work in groups, contribute to the class, etc. Any advice on how to approach this, i.e., ensure that my seminars are interactive and involve group work without possibly causing this student to feel singled out?

Thanks
Tudor

Hi Nova

I agree with what Tru is saying here. I would add, as simple as it might seem, write down 1) the challenge/situation, 2) the impact is has had on you (maybe just copy and paste what you've written here into a document) 3) your resolve to get through it and why you want to get through it, and 4) what ways you are going to address it by (e.g., counselling, attend seminars, keeping a positive attitude, and some of the other excellent suggestions put here by Tru plus more ideas of your own).

It sounds a bit trivial but it has always worked for me when facing an extremely challenging situation. I find I'm able to look at my reflection and plan, which encourages me to keep on persevering. You learn a lot about yourself too - like which of those strategies actually works for you.

What Tru says about having a positive attitude despite the circumstance is so true. You'll end up feeling better and because you're positive you make other people feel good about being around you and chatting to you.

All the best
Tudor

It may be helpful to find recent-ish reviews (white or gret matter) in your area and see what they suggest about directions for future research. A couple of things may spark your interest. You can then read a little further to see what has been done/if it is something you would want to work on.

Another thing you could do is talk to some of those in the field about what topics are of current interest. Do any of those interest you? Chatting in that way is also a good way to get yourself hooked up with a supervisor who has similar interests.

I'm from a completely different field so I hope this is still helpful.

I can't offer specific advice, only encouragement... you're obviously very capable - I think anyone (who cared about what they are doing) would feel like they were going insane with changing guidelines and the sense of them wanting you to interpret it the way they interpret it.

I fully agree with clairaN... in fact this trying to get funding/accepted business is sort of the beginning of it! The PhD has so many challenges / times when you feel you've wasted time/work/effort etc (at least in my experience). The thing to remember is - nothing is wasted - it is all experience. And some let downs are just inevitable. I think it continues on in to academia. Even my very successful supervisor has this... you write a grant proposal and it is rejected... You just have to get used to keeping on trying and not giving up!

Any luck yet likewhat if you're still posting on here?

Regarding length... I suggest you check with your supervisors. They're the ones who will be reading through it and they may have a preference about format/how long. There is defo no correct approach. So seeing what they want may help. If they have no preference you could set yourself a rough framework (e.g., 1000 words including a background, method, and references - that was the length of my proposal). The RQs may only be a few hundred words, if that.

Regarding their specificity... if your project is quantitative then I think the more specific you can get your questions the better. You might have a broad overarching aim, and then some RQs that will address that aim. The RQs might start out a bit fuzzy but then as you come to write more of the background and method, you can fill in the gaps/edit them.

As I am finding out, things like research questions often change later, as the PhD goes on... but it helpful to get something pinned down as a starting point.

Thanks pd1598! Very helpful responses (in bite size chunks as well!). I haven't found this with my data, but I came across some results in a paper that made me question it... Quite an interesting notion really if it is the case. I mean, it would mean that if you had not included some other relevant predictors in your model, it may appear that a given set of predictors are accounting for the variance in the outcome. When actually they only appear to because they are correlated with some more important variables that you have missed. Do you see what I mean?

Hi folks

A regression question - perhaps better placed on a different forum, but I thought I'd try here first :)

Partial correlations allow one to assess the unique contribution of a given set of predictors to the variance in Y outcome.

Let's say predictors x1, x2, x4, and x5 all stuck in a regression model accounted for 30% variance in Y outcome. Then you conduct partial correlations to assess their unique effects. Would it be possible for some of those predictors (let's say x1 and x2) to cause no unique variance? (i.e., weak and non significant correlations to Y outcome) - even though they were significant predictors in the overall model?

I think so but I am driving myself a bit mad!

Hopefully someone will be able to answer! : )

Hi ACSQueen

Gap year... taking it easy, studying for GRE, preparing for applications, reading up on the area... nothing wrong with any of that. You don't have to justify your life to them - as long as you've got something prepared to say!

Of course the paper is a great thing to add to your CV. First author would be better, but it is still great to be on an author on a paper (I am not yet... my first one is in progress!) .

Your last paragraph/question... the part that worries me is about not having been passionate about research (albeit at undergrad). Read some of the threads on here and see what people are going through (AFTER the competitive stage of getting on a program/obtaining funding). I would only do this if it is something you really want to do. You need that to get you through the hard times.

I agree with TreeofLife about trying and you might get lucky. Also, do you have a careers service at your institution who might be able to advise you or put you in contact with people who will be able to offer more specific advice (e.g., a mentor in the psychology department)?

By the way, being on track to finish before planning is rather inspiring! So it is possible? Cool!

Yes, who is the person in your department/school/faculty who is there for that purpose? There should be someone whose role is as a person who you can go to about such "issues" as you are facing. Sounds hideous by the way - sorry to hear about it.

Cheers for the reassurance practical advice teegs90 - focusing on two tasks each month is something I can try - I've already got a whiteboard going!