Hi Satchi

I have had a similar situation with a needy friend. I stopped responding to emails and calls etc, and just really let it cool down. When I did respond I emphasised how busy I'd been etc. I had to harden my heart to the guilt I was feeling (at the same time as feeling utterly irritated with the friend! - such a horrible conflict!). Anyway, we seem to have struck quite a happy balance now. The friend doesn't write me such long emails so frequently (I felt like I was being used as a diary actually), and I reply as and when I want to. I was really careful though because, although it was driving me insane, I did not want to lose the friendship.

Good luck!

Hi Likewhat. It was a really stressful time for me too. I knew it was what I wanted to do but set backs sort of hit you in the face and leave you wondering if you should keep trying or not. My advice is, if it is really what you want to do, don't give up. You could chase and find out when they will let you know by. I think it does good to let them know you are eager - no harm anyway. It is completely normal to feel like you're feeling - but don't let it take over - do something else, watch a movie, look at what other options are out there for your Plan B. Good luck!!!!

Thanks for your reply. Hmmm, I don't think so. I am sorted with the what to write part - it was defo personal communication about a specific aspect of how something works. My question is though - is it ok to go ahead and say that in my paper, or should I ask permission from the individual first.

Hello all

I understand the technical rules about how to cite personal communication with another academic in a paper. However, are there some informal rules/etiquette to abide by also? I had some email correspondence about how to use a particular tool, and the author of the tool gave me some advice. So I have cited that as personal communication in my paper (due to be submitted for publication shortly). I just wondered though if I should have asked him first whether or not that could be cited?

I'd be grateful if you could answer if you have experience or knowledge of this - not just opinions.

Cheers everyone!

You can email me if you like and if it is not going to take a long time. :) What exactly is it that you need checking - just that variables are entered correctly?

In fact, even at primary school we knew we were not allowed to just copy a book word for word!

Wow, I am shocked... Sounds more like a collage than a piece of academic writing!

I agree. Say nothing but never attempt to get it published and never do anything like that again!

Good tips, thanks all.

Hello... Can you cite a conference poster? I've seen conference talks cited, but not posters. Has anyone does this in their thesis/academic paper? Cheers

Mine all took longer than the specified times... I kept chasing... no harm in appearing eager!

If it is not enough for you to live on maybe this unfortunate fact actually makes your decision for you?

And if it was not as expected perhaps it would be a valid explanation for why you had to leave if you make future applications for PhD funding.

I still think you should persevere if possible, but only you know what is possible...

Oh my goodness 4:30... but I can see why you do it if it takes that long WITHOUT the rush hour traffic. I've recently started working at home from 8 ish to 10, and then heading to the uni office (avoiding rush hour and thus saving twenty min).

Hm, I have some old family friends who are quite traditional, and when the wife writes a letter (yes, they still write letters), she writes on the envelope Mrs C R Jones. (C and R are both her husband's initials...). I find it bizzare. Perhaps if he had an academic title she would naturally use that too, since she is adopting the rest of his name.