Chris - I'd agree with Janey (sorry if I go the name wrong). Meet a few friends or meet the family - get a bit of reality back! It is more so surviving the process rather than answering a research question if you ask me (have to admit I am in a terrible state at the mo as can't sleep at all and always got PhD on the brain - between being behind in schedule and working on other stuff). Have toyed with the notion of quitting but keep saying "It'll get better - it has to!" but don't know how long more I can do that. Main point is that even though we don't have the belief, we can all do this ... somehow

Eddi - hope things work out. Finding myself getting into something of a state but really do need to get perspective (if you do actually manage to drag yourself away from work for a day or two, it helps and be confident that the world won't explode if you do!). Sure, I realise the PhD is a matter of surviving the process rather than getting the actual piece of paper, but this should not be at a huge price. Take the break, regroup and when ready sit down and work out logically what can be done with your supervisor. Keep the boat afloat!!!!

Another good thing about EndNote is the way that you can print off the records for when writing up sections (lets be honest - most of us read a paper and don't look at it until the s'visor asks us to submit that section). If you set up one of the custom fields to show "Area of Research", then use the Copy/Formatted option and copy the list to a word doc, you'll have a list of all refs (sorted and all) in one doc for easy reading.
Also, you can see fellow researchers libraries (if they are generous enough )and see what refs they think are important within your dept.
Basically, I find that you have to enter in ALL crucial info (including a link to the PDF doc) once you have read the doc in order to get full use of EndNote, so a bit of discipline is needed.
Joyce - get EndNote and take time out to learn it (there should be a course at your college) - it will be worth it! Two up from me anyhows.

After getting the finger out, found a few which are generally available and if anyone as lazy as myself needs ...
http://proquest.umi.com/login - Might need login details
www.theses.com - covers GB & Ireland

Hi all,
Does anyone know of general databases of PhDs/Masters work (particularily European and US)? This is probably asked nearly once a week.

Finally, got a topic nailed down after a year and a few months (well sort of!) so now got the glorious task of checking what has been done in the area already (if anything).

Deffo found that the whole drinking lark is beyond me at this stage (hangovers for 2-3 days so three-four max if out mid-week). Its bad enough actually being behind in work, having to worry about funding and other PhD stuff and then throwing a mid-week hangover on top of that. I agree that it can be difficult and takes a great effort to turn off if no one about who knows whats going thro' the head i.e. as being a bit older and having the usual early mid-life crisis of "Oh f**k! Am I stuck here for eternity?" Just wish I could see and treat it as a job (albeit one where training/salary is low and demands high).

Get yourself sorted first. Whether you like it or not, there is going to be some hassle in whatever course of action you take. Take the necessary time to sort out your head (even if its just to the extent of getting rid of some of your worst fears). Find people you can trust and confide and would be willing to be beside you whatever action you decide to take - they know you and possibly the extent of your situation. You're not alone in this and as the other person said, there is people experienced in this sort of thing

Hi all - In a bit of a bind which is really testing my resolve. 15 mths in & "think" I have my research question (after 2/3 wrong turns) which will involve some software design and the building of a prototype. I am confused as to how this would then be tested to prove the work is of a PhD standard. It will require requirements gathering (which is a bit more important as the project is centred around addressing a business need rather than proving the functionality of specific coding). My supervisor is great but not really into Software Design projects. Any help would be appreciated as it is a worry detracting from short term work