Thanks guys - I hadn't thought about looking at it from that point of view. I think the fact that their 'archive' consisted of a leaking basement with piles of rubbish (literally) could tell me a lot about the organisation but as you say will have to tread a fine line to ensure no bad mouthing!!

Had a miniature breakthrough last night...maybe someones you have to reach the depths of despair before coming out the other side!

Thanks again for the wise words :-)

Panic. Panic. Panic. Panic....Panic!

I am due to give a conference paper in the next couple of weeks but, since sitting down to write it almost 3 weeks ago, I have realised that I have nothing to say. My PhD programme is collaborative which means I have just spent 6 months within an organisation searching through their archives to find empirical evidence...however, the six months were a nightmare. No empirical evidence, no solid resources for me to use and frankly being used as an office assistant.

That complaint aside it has left me in the somewhat tricky position of having to write what my supervisor calls a 'reflective paper'. Now I have always been told that history papers need to be supported by evidence. Well given the nightmare of the last few months my 'evidence' is at this stage observational at best. So I am left to make sweeping statements about Jewish identity which will get torn apart by the world and his dog for being based on nothing!! I assumed I would have more to go on than simply my ideas...some empirical material for starters! Now there is no time to get that before I have to give this paper.

Has anyone got any pearls of wisdom or have had to give a reflective paper themselves?! I was scared enough about giving this paper but now I am just moving from moments of despair, to panic and finally to tears. Any advice would be so appreciated!!!

Kx