Done

You are where you are as they say ! The first thing I would say is challenge the way you are thinking about this. You were exhausted by the point of submitting and that is why you didn't spot the typos. If you can spot them now they can be easily rectified. Major revisions is a pass that requires some changes to be made. That is a major positive result in my book. If those changes relate to presentation rather than content all the better. Be proud that you reached submission and embrace any changes that need to be made. You are definitely not a loser. This is the final hurdle. Stay strong.

Please seek help and support straight away. I understand that you feel desperate but support is available that can help you to feel better. By calling 116 123 you can access support from the Samaritans. The fact that you have posted this message shows that you are really brave and that you are reaching out to connect with others who can understand how you are feeling and provide you with support and encouragement. Connecting with others is the best way to deal with how you are feeling.This too will pass and your strength and determination will shine through. You have helped others in the past allow people in to help you now. Reach out and establish support around you.

You have done well to get 5 chapters written and it sounds like you need to defend your chosen methodology here. In your methodology chapter you will have addressed why you chose phenomenology. Has your chair raised particular concerns about this choice before now ? It seems an unusual request at this late stage. Within the phenomenological approach you adopted were you collecting and analysing data simultaneously using constant comparative analysis ? Is it possible that your chair has recognised that you have used a GT approach but not labelled it as such and that is why he or she is suggesting the change. Otherwise it is a confusing suggestion. Hope you can get some clarity of this AVBG.

Do you mean change to Grounded Theory ? I can't see how that would be possible after you have conducted and written up your research. Grounded theory methodology would need to have guided all aspects of your study and it would be impossible to transition to it after the study is complete. Can you clarify with the chair exactly what it is that they are suggesting you should do ?

Thanks for posting millerym. I am really struggling with writing up and having nightmares about my viva as can't imagine ever having a thesis good enough to robustly defend. So good to read about your experience. Well done !!! Hope you are having some well deserved relaxation.

I shared the 5 second rule with my first year class and some of them managed to do it for 1 day !!!

Hi alyons,
Thanks for posting this. It is the perfect thread for me right now !
Yesterday I was in a major slump and downloaded yet another book on writing called Finish Your Dissertation Once and For All. I set my alarm for 5.30am this morning to read some of it before starting writing at 8am.
I have managed to write more words today. It is unlikely that these words will be in my thesis but at least the thoughts are out of my head and on to paper.
Like you I read lots about writing and watch videos. This tends to happen when I am really stuck and I love a motivational ted talk.
I try to cope with the delayed gratification of the doctoral process by enjoying the immediate sweaty gratification of a gym session most days. I look forward to legitimately not writing during that time and tbh it is probably one of the few times I don't feel guilty about focusing on something other than my thesis.
I go back to my data and remind myself how generous my participants were and the struggles they have had to overcome.
I try to tell myself I can do this and that imposter syndrome will not defeat me.
I follow Hugh Kearns and other writing/ PhD posters on twitter and save motivational quotes to my phone.
I try to find ways to believe in myself the way I would believe in a friend struggling in a similar way.
Motivation varies day by day and I try to accept this.
Good luck with your writing, K

It is entirely possible to do a PhD part time it just takes longer. I have colleagues in academia and in clinical practice who have successfully completed a PhD or Doctorate while working full time. It is demanding and takes a lot of perseverance and dedication but it can be done. If you have a research interest that you believe you can maintain interest in for a substantial period of time then go for it Messyboo . Look forward to hearing how your ideas progress. K

Hi Messyboo,

Are you a clinician within the NHS ? If so have you considered doing a part time clinical or professional doctorate. I have worked full time while pursuing my research. Sometimes I have had no study leave from work so have worked all weekend on it at other points I have had one study day per week. I would say for me I have needed to spend on average 2 days per week on it. Some times by necessity though I have had times when I couldnt devote as much time to it. Mine is a qualitative study so lots of time spent transcribing and analysing data. I can't comment on part time PhD but hopefully others here will can share their thoughts with you. Best of luck moving forward. Karen

The best way to improve your grades is to pay really close attention to the feedback received and to modify your work accordingly.

Hi Annie,
Are you using a software package to store your data?
I analysed my first few interviews on a word document using line by line coding. As the amount of data I collected increased I used Nvivo to store it. Personally I have found this software useful in relation to working on coding over time but know other people who don't like it. The reality is that coding is a messy and time consuming process which you just can't take short cuts with. Have faith and what you need to know will emerge with time and perseverance.In grounded theory the process of constant comparative analysis is key and this simply means keeping comparing incidents in the data until you see common themes and build up a theory of how they relate to one another. In the coding process first of all you break the data down and then you put it back together to build up a substantive theory of your area of study. Have you sought support from your supervisors and read key texts regarding how to code data. The type of GT you are adhering to will have a bearing on the coding process. Keep going it starts to fall in to place, to some extent, as you are doing it. Hope this helps.Karen

Hi,
A PhD is such a long term commitment that to be honest takes over your whole life. If you don't want to do it before you have even started you definitely need to say that now and go in the direction that you think is better for you. It's hard enough to stick with it when you really want to do it that trying to do it if you don't want to would prove impossible. I would hope that your supervisor will understand and continue to support you in your role based on the contribution you are currently making. Whatever you do don't interview and if offered it accept a PhD place just to keep your job as that would be committing yourself to a lot of years that would be likely to make you very unhappy and stressed. Hope it all works out.

Hi, You will have to an NMC(Nursing and Midwifery Council) approved Bachelors degree to qualify as a Midwife.As far as I am aware there are no Masters courses that confer a professional Midwifery qualification.
Good luck pursuing this qualification.

Hi, I am not sure but can certainly say that it has been exceptionally difficult to try and recruit fathers to take part in my qualitative study. While I am still interested in my original research question I would have elected to attempt to interview an easier to reach group if I had known the challenges involved in recruitment. Best of luck with your study, Karen