Hi there

I am a bit confused about this poster making business.

First - does the title of my poster need to be the same as on the abstract I submitted? I imagine it would be hard to identify if not, but the problem is, it is much longer than I would have liked for a poster.

Second - does the abstract I submitted need to go on my poster as the abstract? I hope not, as I actually don't want to put an abstract on my poster. I don't think it does, but just checking!

Thanks
Tudor

It sounds like you are excessively worrying/fearful about possibilities, when actually each scenario you have outlined is extremely unlikely (someone correct me if I am wrong...are there many cases of this happening?).

Why would someone want to deliberately delete it? Some of your fears do not seem logical.

For peace of mind - anything that is deleted is probably retrievable by IT.

Do you perhaps need to take some time out following the completion of your PhD?

Congratulations by the way on your amazing achievement.

OK. I honestly wouldn't worry about it then. There will always be people whose feedback we disagree with.

You could still reflect on your presentation skills without listening to it back. I normally write a few bullet points of reflection after presentations etc. It is really helpful to look back on later.

All the best

Hi Helebon

What was the nature of the comment you disagree with? Was it about your presentation style, or was it about the content or some aspect of your research?

When I receive comments I don't agree with I tend to just let it go (unless it is from my supervisors - as then there is an opportunity to defend it - but even then if it is minor I just let it go). But that doesn't mean you should! Depends what is at stake I guess. I mean, will it affect your mark? Is it really really getting on your nerves? Maybe you could ask if you could meet up and discuss the feedback.

I agree that this would be difficult (proving he was biased), because it is unlikely the panel will have experience with or be able to comment on substantive aspects of your PhD/topic like the theory or methodology. But maybe someone else will have a different opinion on this.

If your supervisors recommend that you raise the issue of inadequate supervision then yes I would raise that as well. The appeals panel should consider EACH of the aspect of your appeal separately, and give you a response about each of them.

Evidence is very important. Do enclose all available documentation that will support the issue of inadequate supervision (e.g., emails, meeting minutes) and the unfair examination process.

I think it is strongly in your favour that your supervisors are supporting you.

Good luck.

I agree with ToL - appendix!

You want the standard errors to be there so that the reader can better interpret the coefficient (unless you have included confidence intervals as well... you could get rid of one or the other if you have both).

Hello

Mixed effects models (otherwise known as multilevel models) or just simple regression would better analyze the data, as it can deal with unequal groups. You would treat group as a predictor with two levels (i.e., group 1, group 2).

But what do you mean by "on three levels"? Three dependent variables/outcomes (e.g., score 1, score 2, score 3), or one dependent variable/outcome with three levels (e.g., ill, healthy, deceased)? This will affect your choice of analysis.

Tudor

Hello bluewings23

Sorry to hear about what you are going through. I am writing this from the experience of sitting on an appeals panel as a student representative who was involved in the decision making process about an appeal.

A few questions. Is the appeal with the university or an external body? (It is my understanding that if the first university-based appeal fails, there is also an external body you can appeal to). Will the appeal be handled entirely online/with paperwork, or is there a face to face meeting with you and those who will deal with the appeal? Importantly - are your supervisors willing to support you formally?

Just from reading what you have said I am a little unclear on the grounds for your appeal. In your first message it sounds like it is to do with the unsatisfactory outcome of the viva and the re-submission. You feel you were unfairly treated because yours and your supervisors' request about the choice of examiner was ignored, and a whole set of comments disappeared from the form.

But then in your second message, it sounds like you want to appeal because of the supervision process during the PhD itself? This seems a weaker argument, because at the end of the day, the PhD is your responsibility and not the supervisors'.

I know it must be really overwhelming but make sure that you focus and really clarify what it is that you are appealing about. If your supervisors are willing to support you formally (e.g., come to the appeal panel meeting with you if there is one, write a letter supporting your case) then I think that could go a long way.

Tudor

Well I did want mine to stand out, but not in that way! Thanks for the tip!

Thanks for your help. I am trying to change it to "custom", width 100cm, height 160cm. It allows me to change the width, but the height automatically changes to "142.22cm" and will not seem to go larger.

The conference guidelines states that the poster "should not exceed 100cmx160cm", so 100cmx142.22cm will be OK. I just don't know why it won't allow me to customise it to the size I want.

Hi there

I am making an academic poster using Powerpoint, and the conference stipulates that it should be a certain size. But when I go to layout in Powerpoint, select custom, and enter the dimensions (xxcm by xxcm), it keeps automatically changing to a different set of dimensions when I press OK. My question is - does this even matter? I guess as long as it is portrait/landscape as desired, I guess I will be able to print it to the right size at the printing shop?

Thanks for your help.

I think there is some reason for some concern... what if this first few months sets a precedence for how things will be for the rest of the PhD? It's really important to be sure that things become more regular/consistent so that you are more satisfied sooner rather than later.

I agree with the others. Just politely explain that you are unable to make it at that time and don't give a reason unless asked. I think it would be a bit unprofessional of them to ask you for a reason to be honest. After all, your stated hours of work are 8:30am to 5pm. In future jobs, usually the job spec would state flexible hours/overtime required if this is the case. You could always inquire during the interview (nice to have a genuine question to ask instead of trying to think of some!). All the best : )

On the social isolation side of things... are there any other PhD students in your department? Do you have a shared office or communal area? It would be good to get chatting to others as then you will get more of a feel for what the norm is in your department. Also they might have some tips. Keep smiling!

Hello

While agree with everything Pjlu has said, I myself (and my fellow PhD students) have quite a different experience.

I have regular meetings with my supervisor, and I think that is the norm where I am... We meet as often as once a fortnight if I want to, but usually more like every 6 weeks or so. My supervisor is there as a supervisor should be for if I need to meet and discuss my research. I don't know why your supervisor would discourage regular meetings when you are right at the start of your PhD especially. Even if they are busy, you should be made some sort of priority. After all - what is the point in having a supervisor if they are not supervising you?

So:
- could you be quite open and assertive (while still being polite of course) and explain that at this time you feel you would benefit from having some regular meetings booked in?
- do you have a secondary supervisor you could ask to meet with instead or in addition to?
- do you have a mentor/academic advisor who is separate from the supervisory team who you could ask to advise you and possibly intervene if chatting does not help?

I would advise you to try each of these things (if you haven't already).

Re your research... 3 months in is nothing so don't worry that you feel you've done nothing so far. I remember feeling that for most of the first year! But are you getting some kind of concrete plan in place for the remainder of your PhD? If not then this would be something you could begin to do and ask to meet your supervisor to discuss. After all, they are there to supervise which does mean oversee and provide some direction where needed.

Best of luck,
Tudor