I can touch type and do a nifty shorthand, but was distracted by the Express Scribe option, which indicates that interviewers can pre-record/train the software to recognise differing voices, with a drop-down menu allowing researchers to attach the profiled voice to the existing knowledge of the respondent's voice. Momentarily, I hoped I could invite respondents to provide a reading of a sample text, to inform subsequent transcriptions. This must exist already? Looks like I'm slipping on a tweed skirt and heels, into 1950s mode after all.

So does voice recognition for this application exist yet? It seems to antiquated to labour through recordings like a 1950s pool typist.....

This has probably been already covered:

Can anyone recommend decent pc transcription software? My methodology involves 35 x 1hr interviews, and it's taking far longer than I anticipated to transcribe the content.

With thanks.

Hi Lullaby, I'm AHRC fully funded, and although I'm under pressure from my department to submit within 3 years (they've told me to get an au pair, to help me manage my 3 kids, - not an option I can afford), I'll submit within the 4 years that are permitted by the funders. This will probably have an impact on the RAE rating for my university, but when I asked them to quantify the difference that a submission within 4 years would make, rather than within 3yrs, no-one at the uni was willing to disclose that information.

Can anyone recommend a clip-on dynamic/condenser mic, for use in interviews? For use with an Edirol R-09HR field recorder. Thanks.

A full-time funded student submitting AFTER the 3 years have expired, but within the 4 year limit, thereby denying the RO an optimal rating by the funders?

Or a full-time funded student switching to part-time status, and submitting "early", ie. within 5 years?

Bit shocked today: I met my Supervisor to discuss the irreconcilable nature of my full-time status and part-time availability (kids etc, two thirds of my year is school holidays/weekends). The response was loud and clear: their expectation is that I should submit within 3 years, ie. by July 2013, and "get an au pair."

That's great advice Caterpillar27, and it's great to know that I'm not alone in these circumstances. More helpful than you could ever know.

Thanks for your replies. Just been having a bit of a wobble as my supervisors don't seem particularly interested in the fact that 20 weeks per year are completely given over to the childrens' school holidays, plus every morning/evening and every weekend. My OH sees my PhD as a bit of a hobby, and he works insanely long hours too, often 6 days per week, so not much support there.

Sadly not an option for me: my parents live over 100 miles away, and are in their mid 70's. In the euphoria of accepting a funded place, I overlooked the harsh reality of managing the logistics.

Haven't posted for a while. Would love to hear from others who are juggling being a mum/dad (I have 3 children), whilst also working full-time on their PhD. Mine's funded, so am feeling under extra pressure.

Take a look at the Arts & Humanities Research Council website, and specifically the details of Collaborative PhDs. I'm one year into a funded Collaborative doctorate at a museum: for the duration of my PhD, my time is shared between the workplace and the university, giving far more access than would usually be provided by a period of fieldwork alone. Collaborative practice can be quite hard work, however, as you need to be able to negotiate the differing agenda, - but that's a good skill to acquire for later professional life.

My recommendations are Atkinson, Coffey et al (2001) 'Handbook of Ethnography', and Gobo's (2008) 'Ethnography', which is excellent on the note-taking process.

Hi PamW, I'd reply in a positive, upbeat way, acknowledging your delight that they hope to work with you in future. I applied for a job at a museum, was told I was over-qualified, but advised to try for a 2nd job. I interviewed for the 2nd one, fluffed that, but was still asked to try for a more senior one. I landed the job of my dreams, third time around. The phrase that stands out in their letter is their 'hope to work with you in the future.' Normally, rejection letters just thank you for your interest, explaining that there was an unusually high level of interest for the role blaa blaa. Good luck, and copy your response to the education administrator as well.

Hi Phdbug,

I'm genuinely sorry to hear your sad news. I remember losing my grandfather 20 years ago whilst I was at uni, and it was devastating.

As for the thread, I'm simply trying to understand the context of your staggering achievement, and the information that you have volunteered (regarding no partner or parental responsibilities) provides this contextualisation. I expect I'm still adjusting to having gone overnight from being a stay at home mum with 3 kids, to a research scholar, - when no-one else in the family appears willing or able to make the associated adjustments that this change brings. In my experience, the euphoria of landing a fully funded place has been tempered by the realisation that this will not be achievable within 3 years, - hence my curiosity about your circumstances.

So, PhDBug, indulge me: do you live with your parents, with your shopping, cooking and laundry services all laid on? Or do you have a very supportive partner who provides all of the above? Do you have kids, or responsibility for caring for an older family member? Have you had to do the school run 10 times per week? Have you had to deal with 4-5months per year of school holidays? As mine's fully-funded, I was able to hit the ground running, meeting all of my deadlines early....until the rest of my life came crashing into the picture.