Massive congratulations!!

I passed my viva with minor corrections a few weeks ago. It was a very enjoyable experience although very surreal when I was told I had passed.

My examiners and chair were both lovely and I amazed myself by (believe it or not!!) actually being able to answer all of the questions put forward. That was it - the moment imposter syndrome was finally beaten!

I just wanted to say thank you to all in this forum who offered my guidance over the years. It was always good advice given.

I would also like to say for those who are going through the process just now and maybe feeling like an imposter, or isolated, DON'T GIVE UP. You are not alone. Have a read through some of my previous posts. I had several woes and low moments throughout my journey but i persevered and succeeded.

If you are feel low, drop me a pm, i'd be happy to talk or even just listen.

During these moments I found a gratitude diary to be extremely useful. There is one called the 6 minute diary (it has a whole section at the start on peer reviewed research that evidences the use of gratitude as a tool for taking care of yourself. I feel this one is pitched well at PhD students as it provides evidence, as takes very little time to complete each day.

I'm going to check in every now and again to hopefully support others in the way that I was supported.

Good Luck!

Tudor queen it sounds like we could have had the same experience. I had an awful first year experienced a real nasty side to academia. Completely demotivated me. My funding ran out after 3 years. I got a full time post as an RA and suspended my studies for a year.

I asked my boss if I could switched to a compressed working week so I worked full time hours over 4 days giving me a day to work on thesis. They also allowed for me to work at home where possible so if I completed something quick enough I would switch to my thesis.

I then returned as a part time student as was working full time still.

I would also say look after yourself. Spend time with people who can make you laugh and have some chill time. It's slow and painful doing it this way but you get there. My viva is soon so I'm now on to a different cycle of stress.

If you ever want to vent feel free to pm me!

Mines is in the social sciences. I followed 8 chapters:
1.intro
2. Lit/policy review
3.conceptual framework
4. Methods
5.findings/discussion
6.findings/discussion
7.findings/discussion
8.conclusion

Sorry for the late reply traffic I did take this advice on board. Tthings weren't as bad as they seem but I've written it up in my limitations any way:)

I also worked full time. For me it was important to get a routine. I had a to do pad which I broke down into very small tasks per day and set a word limit. I also find trains great to edit on. Music on a head down:)

Have you tried changing the search to all instead of author?

I had two take a time out to work full time and then went part time with my studies. I'm coming up to my end deadline and it has been tough but doable. Sill things like getting not well with the flu and tooth ache resulted in wastage of time for me. Just try to factor potential obstacles if you intend to work

Softkitty how did you get on? How often were you getting feedback. It seems a bit late in the day for your supervisor to be saying that. I has millions of Work to do in the last 6 month's and my mostly transformed my thesis in 3 months. Putting my first draft in next week.

I'm aware that some areas are weak and will need further developed but that's what the viva is for. Not only to defend but to take guidance on the thesis.


I have two chapter conclusions to redraft and my main conclusion to redraft. 5 Or 6 sections to strengthen plus a couple of paragraphs to write in my lit review. Then I need to proof read check references and have 4 data to do it. It can be done! A finished thesis is a submitted thesis!

My research has four stages Quan Quan Qual Qual.

For the first stage I used cronbachs alpha to measure construct validity- this was ok.

For the next stage I had to simplify my constructs for a younger age group and reduce the items. I could not used Cronbach's as only have two items per construct one which is negatively keyed, the other positive.

It's now coming to light ( in terms of the mush that is my brain) that some of these constructs aren't measuring what they are supposed to. I would say its potentially two out of 8.

Its 8 weeks until submission and I can get my head on as to how I will acknowledge this design flaw:(

Someone please help!

Hi Tudor

Yes i've been through thousands of thesis in ethos- i think its just a case of not seeing the wood for the trees and needing to ride it out:)

Can anyone point me to any thesis they have felt demonstrates a good mixed methods discussion?

I have three results chapters which have the following structure

intro- approach- findings - discussion (findings linked to conceptual framework and previous literature) - conclusion

I then intend to have an overall discussion chapter to bring all three together and discuss strengths/limitations recommendations etc.

I am currently at the discussion stage of each chapter but cannot see the wood for the trees. My topic is a social research where I have collected empirical data (surveys/interviews).

If anyone can point me to an example of a thesis that has taken this approach I would be ever so grateful!

Thanks for sharing tree of life. Fingers crossed for you.