Hey, I've booked a conference for April which costs £475. However, I am flying from Ireland and spending three nights in the UK (albeit in the cheapest hotel possible). I have already used up my conference allowance but need to go to this one. I wish conferences weren't so expensive

hi, I'm just back from my first conference abroad. It was in Italy so it was warm but I dressed up for my presentation and I found that peopl got quite dressed up for the evening things. My hotel was quite far from the conference centre and so I didn't have time to change between times so I dressed smartly at all times, but not a suit or anything, just dresses that would suit any occasion.But there was such a mixed bag, some people were v v casual as well. But I would avoid jeans if possible. Hope that's helpful

oh yes, people are always asking me if have I started writing up yet! I am only 18 months into my PhD..give me a chance!

hi, I have only just done the training day for NVivo and although it looks exciting, I think that I'll need a more advanced course when I actually get to analysis stage. I am only learning how to input the data. I assume that you have the tutorials that you can get online etc?

yes, Rick is right and Michael Patton's book is very good as well. It requires an awful lot of reading around the methodologies, paradigms and actual designs. But I hope you take comfort in the fact that it is difficult for everyone. Even lecturers in my department have come looking to share ideas etc.. because no one really feels that they are an expert/authority on it. Take care K

hi, I am doing qualitative research as well and working very much on my own. I am 18 months into it and it took a full year to get my research question itself clear. Even now, my design and approach is subject to change but I did spend a lot of reading into approaches to qualitative research so if you have any specific questions let me know. It's very swampy and can be difficult to get things clear in your head. It's not unusual to be feeling this way.

don't want to make you jealous but we haven't had our Bank Holiday in Ireland yet.. It's next weekend. It's lovely and sunny today but I am in one of the rainiest places in the WORLD.. so if I do decide to go beside the seaside I'll have to bring my mac in a sac for sure!

thanks fluffymonster and hey Rosy, someone from Ireland, cool!

I start interviewing tomorrow and I'm REALLY nervous, couldn't sleep last night and when I did I dreamt that I'd had a below knee amputation ? something to do with watching Forrest Gump before I went to bed. I definitely sleep better after a long walk.. and a glass of wine.. and a crossword. If I'm lying in bed unable to sleep, I try really hard to think about nice things, day dream about a festival I'm going to this year.. just make up stories really.. anything but think about the next day.

I'm from Ireland but one of my best friends lives in Cardiff and I really enjoyed it when I went to visit. I'd say there'd be a great atmosphere there during the summer!

I felt so disillusioned for the first 8 months of my PhD as well. I decided to take a week off and try to completely distance myself from it in every way (very difficult to do but try to stop thinking about it completely). I went to stay with some friends and distance myself from it physically as well. Then when I got back to it, I focused on very samll aspects of it, daily goals and gradually things started to gather momentum. You'll surprise yourself with how much you actually have achieved when you return to it with a clear head! Hope that's helpful??

I know this is an old thread but it made me laugh so much. I can identify so much with what people have said.

When I'm working from home, I have taken to sitting at the computer with a shawl over my shoulders (don't ask me why I started that but it has almost become a comfort blanket thing).. very embarrassing, but I have romanticised it in my own head.. in a Bronte sister type way.. if I had an ink well I might dip my mouse in it!?

Hey Seabird, wow, 4 months off.. I cannot even imagine that.. It's a tough time too though I imagine. All you can do is keep focusd on the finish line and picture the wonderful times ahead when it is all over eh? Best of luck!

I have just joined and I agree with people's choices of their favourite names. I like "thecoastman" because I envisage someone with long sun bleached hair in a big woolly jumper standing on a cliff edge facing the wind?!? I could of course be very wrong.. but that's the beauty of nicknames eh?

oh we have plenty of rain believe me, but I live on the west coast. A LITTLE bit cheaper and a lot more scenic than Dublin.