Hi Dotdottung, in my university, I call those with associate professor as 'Dr. X' but those with professor title, I address them as 'Professor X'. Actually, the 'associate professor' title in my university is a promotion for those who were previously senior lecturers/assistant professors. How you address them I think also depends on the organization culture and your relationship with them I think, e.g. those who I am friendly with don't mind being called "Dr" as opposed to "Prof".... :-)

Hi Sollinatri, I think you should take the funded offer. As an international student too, it's hard being without funds. Do what is best for your situation.

First of all, congratulations! I am also gearing up for final writeup and viva and I am glad you shared your story...

Hi Shabrina. I'd like to help but your link is not working...

Thank you, very much appreciated! :-)

Hi Bex,

Did your survey. I like your topic. :-) Could you do mine? Thank you!
Here's the link: http://kentstate.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_43i4IfcxCaDVt5z

Ash

Hi John,
Did the survey! Very important topic. My mum has gum problems in her 50s and I intend to do my best to avoid all these problems... :-)

Hi Steven, interesting area of research that you are interested in. I think the answer to your question is that it depends on what theoretical perspective or angle that you are using. If you are looking at the role of pop culture, and how it influences individual preferences for hip hop music among African Americans for instance, I think that can be from a mass communication perspective definitely. I come from Communication Studies background, and I've come across some studies related to music while doing my coursework and dissertation... What you could is conduct a Google search on online universities in the US, and possible research areas of faculty member in those universities... I hope this helps...

Hi,
I am in the same boat as you are right now but doing my PhD. I agree that it is extremely hard to get respondents, especially if your sample is so specific. I've seen one MA study in my department who sampled family/relatives of those suffering Huntington's disease, and I think she only had 45 people.... Please don't get discouraged. From what I am experiencing right now, try to get as many respondents as you can through various approach. I find forums and FB page very useful, and I've tried snowballing, getting those who answer my questionnaire to forward it to other possible participants and this has helped a bit. Good luck OK!

Hi... I went through similar dilemma when choosing external member for my proposal defense. I left it to my supervisor in the end although she asked me to suggest a few people. I passed my proposal defense even though it was very difficult. According to my supervisor, the external does not have to be 100% familiar with your area, and it is better to choose someone they have worked with before rather than a stranger. As others have suggested, it also depends on your institution; some gave freedom to students more than others in terms of choosing externals. As for internals, I've learned that its better to get people who work well with your supervisor so you don't have 'problems' later on... :-) Good luck to you!

Done! :-)

Hey all. I am in 34 this year and at the end of my PhD journey (hopefully). We got married just before we were starting our PhD. I always thought I would start right away just as I finished my coursework, but with the heavy stress and our crazy schedule, things just never worked out for us. Having a child is important to both of us, but trying to finish off the PhD first... I don't know how we would have managed child care and PhD at the same time (hats off to those of you who are doing it: you guys are awesome) so perhaps there is a reason why things occur the way that they do.

Just a 3/4 more responses needed!

Hi Mary Dee. I've had that feeling many, many times.... It's normal I think to feel anxious about your progress. I agree with TreeofLife, it's unlikely that you will be kicked off your program without any warning. The people in my program who was kicked out was because they failed their exams or ran out of time. So, in your next meeting with your supervisor, you can try discuss your progress with him directly. With my supervisor, I find that it's better to discuss things in person rather than in email. Best of luck!

Need a couple more to go. Hope anyone here can help! Thank you!