Oh thanks, that's very helpful! :)

Hi, I have a bit of a random question, but any help would be much appreciated.

I have been asked to put asterisks in my tables to show significant differences between groups. I have three groups - Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3. If there are significant differences between Groups 1 and 2, and Groups 1 and 3, but not Group 2 and 3, how do I display this? Because there would be an asterisk next to each group, but this seems misleading? For instance, this seems incorrect but how else could I show the significant differences?


Mean SD
Group 1 16.72* 5.20
Group 2 19.16* 4.92
Group 3 17.34* 4.37

Thanks in advance :)

Hi all.

I am in my third year of the PhD, with 2 funded months left. Progress so far is going well, I have almost got together a first draft of the thesis (should be up together by end of August) and my department have offered me a completion bursary, although I'm not sure how much this is (I would think around 3 grand). However, I would have to have the PhD completely finished (had viva, and everything) by this time next year. I asked my supervisor what would happen if I didn't do this in time (pessimistic, I know, but I just feel I need to know in case) and she said she doesn't know, and just that it must be in by this date. I'm concerned if I'd have to pay it back or something! Saying that, I'm fairly confident it can be done in this time frame, I'm just trying to suss everything out!

Any thoughts on this would be welcome, especially if you or anyone you know has had a completion bursary!

Purpleflower x

Congrations! x

@ Clementine, I said this to my supervisor, and she commented that there would be very wrong if I thought the PhD was perfect.
She said that aside from the fact that no piece of research is ever perfect, the whole purpose of a PhD is to learn research methods, and over time you will inevitably realise that you could have done this or that better - but that is all part of the learning process. She says the important thing is to justify your decisions, which even if it may not be the best one, you can accurately
explain why it felt like the most appropriate choice at that time. So hopefully that will help you, I know I found it very useful. Purpleflower
x

Wow, sounds as if it's coming together Clementine! I think I'm doing okay with stress (I'm sure those around me would disagree, haha) but I find it's swings and roundabouts. For instance, I always want to tear my hair when starting a new chapter, because it feels very hopeless. After a couple of weeks, it starts to come together and I feel more positive. And then it starts again ;-) I'm trying very hard to remind myself that eventually, I'll get there and stressing will not help (but will probably hinder me). I do wish I worked longer hours, but my supervisors say they're satisfied with my productivity so I guess it's just me being critical! I'm trying to do a chapter a month which seems realistic and has worked thus far, but I'm unsure how many edits there will be!

The only thing that really stresses me out is the money. Funding runs out in three months and I'm anxious how I'll cope financially. Fingers crossed for a completion bursary :$

How are you finding things Clementine?

How's everyone doing? Mine is coming together quite well. I've got drafts of four of seven chapters now, and am hoping to have a chapter a month written up, so a full draft by end of August. Am also putting in a bid to get some funding for finishing, so keeping my fingers crossed.

Snelison, how is your work coming together?

I can really relate to how you feel, it's a complete rollercoaster with me too! Some days, I'm optimistic, and others it feels a million miles away. I'm really learning to just get on with something - anything - on days like that, rather than avoid work. I'm awful for putting it off (especially with amendments, my enthusiam just wanes with every revision, bleughhh) but I'm trying to imagine how proud I'll be at the very end. Also, reminding myself that it has to get done, whether I'm in the mood or nor, makes me crack on with it. I'm in the early stages of chapter drafts at the moments, it's more about getting a complete chapter of everything and then I can see how it fits/make amendments. I can't imagine how much corrections I'll have from my supervisors, I have two that are very relaxed and one that is a lot stricter with her feedback, and I can imagine she'll make me do many revisions. But at least I know it should have a better possibility of getting passed.

Oh I didn't realise! It's great that you can get bank loans for that kind of thing, so are you working full time on the PhD? Was it difficult to get a loan?


Hope analysis is going okay :)

======= Date Modified 15 May 2012 14:31:59 =======
Wow, well done you. You've got loads! 8-)

Try not to worry about the Big Prof, your supervisor must have confidence in your work. And just think how encouraging it will be to have a first draft by June! When does your funding run out?

I've just finished my forth and final study, it was a lovely feeling to have it finished. How long do you think yours will take to analyse?

Purpleflower x

Fingers crossed something will come up, Snelison! I think I'm going to adopt the same approach as you. I think first and foremost I need to finish this PhD, but I will start applying if things come up.

The funding running out scares me but I'm telling myself I'll just get a random job if need be (just to cover bills) and work part time to tie up the rest of the PhD.

Purpleflower x

Also, since it's been a while since I've checked in on here I thought I'd see how everyone's thesis is coming along? Hope it's going well :-)

Mine seems to be coming together okay... I have four months left (ARGH!) and three chapters in full drafts, with two more to be (hopefully) tied up by the end of the month. This means I have two more studies to put into chapters (should only take a couple of months as these are all loosely written) and then one discussion/conclusion chapter.

I'm begining to notice how long it takes to get feedback from supervisors though. I've still got some work waiting to come back from December, and it's taking an average of two/three months per draft of a chapter. Fingers crossed it won't have to go back and forth too much!

Purpleflower x

======= Date Modified 15 May 2012 11:44:52 =======
* worry me slightly, even

I haven't got any postdoc jobs lined up the moment, which does me slightly! I've recently signed up to job.ac.uk and will be putting together my CV so that I can start applying for jobs closer to september though. How about everyone else?

Will try that, thanks :)

Has anyone else had trouble with this recently? I haven't been able to use it in months, it keeps crashing on me!