======= Date Modified 06 18 2008 07:18:10 =======
I have been doing research on risk perception, a concept of looking at engineering science with psychology human factor. For the last 9 month, I have read well over 40 papers/ journals on my topic. I have done a bit of field work as well. I submitted my 9 month report a couple of weeks back. Yesterday, I has a meeting with my supervisor and was told that I am not 'qualified/ capable' of handling issues related to psychology. Apparently, I do not have the psychology foundations to further my research in view of psychology. I wanted to reject this claim, but to be perfectly honest, I have always been an Engineering student. When the supervisor said that I could not proceed to look in Psychological views, she had given me an alternative to focus just on Engineering. My supervisor apologized to me, as she felt responsible for what had happen. She said I was too ambitious and the topic was very big. I don't know how I should feel right now. I am so very lost.

First, I feel very disappointed that I could not proceed with what I wanted to due to my 'lacking in foundation'. It is something I am passionate about. I feel so unhappy with myself!!! But my supervisor said my PhD can still be salvaged. To do that, my PhD needs to be focused solely in Engineering. Looking at this, I feel happy that I am working with something I am familiar with (Engineering). I am so confused with emotions and totally lost. My confidence is way down, and I still don't know how to react. Viva is coming up.

I feel like I have wasted my 9 months. Anyone out there who has similar experience, please share with me because this is very hard to get through. I am just stunned stone cold!!! Please HELP... anyone

Hi there!
I see what you mean, what happened to you is classical for risky topics. I think you have to make a fundamental decision: To you trust more in yourself or in your supervisor. And: How far do you want to go for your topic.
To tell you a bit about me: I had a similar experience but much smaller and less risky: I had worked a lot on a draft for my master thesis and went to my professor to show him and he said: "That is too risky and too unconventional, Prof X tried this already and in my opinion he failed with this approach. Stick to "our" subject." I did what he said, but after my master degree I left this university. Now I am doing PhD with this Professor X about a multidisciplinary "risky" topic and it is just GREAT. I loved the stuff he worked on, even if my former prof talked about failing.
Many scientists told me that in their opinion it is not the best idea and that I should go more traditional paths. But my supervisor told me he stands behind me 100 percent. It is a struggle and challenge every day but that is exactly what I need.
Do not feel bad: You did not waste time, it is never a waste of time to try new things.
In your place I would first stay where you are and work with your supervisor, but try to make contact to some profs in psychology and talk to them. If you stick with your idea you should also have a psychology supervisor, them you have the foundation that is lacking in this moment.
Don't give up to quickly! I do not think one can be "too" ambitious. The PhD shapes your scientific profile, so if you are not a conservative researcher you should not act like one. Of course this is only my opinion because I am exactly like that.
Good luck!!!

I think if you continue with this supervisor then you should take their advice. It is her job to tell you if she thinks you are on the wrong path, and if you are, that should be sorted out within the first year. The only alternative I would suggest is that you aquire a second supervisor or advisor in psychology for a second opinion, to see if that would make a difference (it may be that your current supervisor is not sufficiently grounded in psychology to help you to refine the project to a more managable form).

I also had a problem with a 'risky' project (largely psych based as it happens) which an external advisor advised was too big, methodologically, for a PhD. My supervisor had nothing whatsoever to say about this and I didn't know what else to do but plough on - and it's been very tough. So in one sense I think your supervisor is being responsible and doing her job in trying to guide you. Whether she is accurate in her assessment we cannot judge - if it were me - I would want a psychologist's opinion. If your project is 'too big' - much better to do something about it now than be told this at the very end.

Try not to feel too downhearted. It's very common to have to alter your topic during a PhD.

I think that it is fairly typical to struggle with motivation during a research project, especially if you are having trouble making steady progress, or if you feel isolated within the department you work in; I can't remember anyone thinking they were doing well during the first couple of years. However, if you have tended to get on well with your supervisor, I would tend to listen to the advice you are being given and rework the project to ensure you can complete within a reasonable timeframe.

Dude,
I think the other replies sum up what you know yourself: Do you see this PhD as either
a. A solely personal crusade where you are out to prove you are right and they are wrong or ...
b. A means to an end where a great degree of sacrifice and following the advice of others is needed and heeded

Briefly, I would take a day or two off and do what you do to break away from the PhD - You are shell shocked at the mo. Then, when you return, organise a metting with your supervisor and sort out where do ye go from there - in a constructive fashion, looking at the future rather than apportioning blame or regretting past errors. You possibly couldn't have sorted that out in the last meeting as the noise of dropping bombshells would have been deafening. I would reckon you will be still be able to use previous work and incorporate some element of the psychological work but not to the degree you initially wanted (dunno the exact topic, but surely you can do a small section on it, even in the Lit Review). The PhD is a process of constant revision and if you need to do that, well then you need to do it. You are lucky it is now rather than 12 months more down the line.

Also, whats stopping you doing some of the work you are interested later in your Phd when things are steady?

Hope things get better and keep the head up,
Bonzo

P.S. Sorry for the rambling - Christmas party last night and Capt. Morgan was on extended shore leave - Arrrrrrrr!

8-)

======= Date Modified 06 Dec 2008 16:12:03 =======

Everyday is talk like a pirate day ya land lubber ... ARRRRR!
Did ya hear of the Pirate Porn movie? It was rated Arrrrrrrr!

There is a lot of comparisons to the life of a Pirate and that of a PhD-er ...
1. Every day feels like walking the plank
2. You have to fight and kill for the treasure, stealing from other pirates on the way
3. Most other pirates bury their treasure in remote locations and won't think of sharing - Boooo!
4. Most of yer crew is made up of cut-throats who would sell ya for a glass of sweet, pain relieving rum (only kidding, but we all know the one or two who would!)
5. The key to finding the big treasure is usually stored on valuable pieces of paper
6. All of the pirates only meet rarely to discuss plans and make shady deals - these meetings usually are in remote locations that any proper living soul wouldn't or couldn't travel to!
7. Only other pirates understand how you speak in such an outdated and stupid language
8. Finally, it feels that most of the authorities are out to get ya and have put a price on your head!

Of course there is an upside ... ya get to dress like Jack Sparrow ... ARRRRRRRR!!!!

(up)

PhD =
Pirates having Difficulties?
Piracy has Disadvantages?

Been away on a raid to foreign climes arrr (teaching!!).

engineerfahmi - sorry for the hijacking of the forum but >2 years on the rough seas does that to ya!

Guys, thanks so much. I needed words of encouragement. I was so downhearted. I just don't know what to do or if I am the only one that went through this process. The pressure is amounting more and more. But the words and advice you guys gave really lift up my spirits. (up)

Thx so much guys. Merry Xmas in advance.

Hiya, I dont know how helpful this will be but it might be an option.
Project management has a lot of risk guides and rules, different ways of evaluating costing and proceeding with risk. Instead of a heavy psychology slant why dont you ground some of it in the facts and figures of risk analysis and all the models and modes of dealing with it. You can put a small section of psychology in after you lay the anchored framework.
It might be worth having a look at, sounds like theyre worried with you not having a psychology background a heavy amount of it in your PhD might not be advisable. Im sure u have already seen the risk management stuff but I just thought I would suggest it