I tend to go by p<.05 (5%) as the threshold significance value. If the adjusted R^2 doesn't fit at this level I would consider refining the model using the coefficient scores.

Hi Satchi, just read the last couple of comments from Sneaks. I am not entirely sure of the nature of the variables you are 'regressing', but if they are latent variables...take a look at the Average Variance Explained procedure by Fornell and Larcker (1981). When factors are highly correlated we may sometimes argue that they are measuring the same construct/phenomenon. Obviously, if you are using observed items only, this advice = fairly academic.(up)

Conferences are great - but I try and make sure that my supervisors cover me for any I go on. In other words, I only write papers for conferences I know they want to go to - they then piggyback on my paper.

I spend nearly all my money on extra statistical courses. I have been to Essex Summer School for Social Statistics for three years running - last year I was invited as a teaching fellow. This has worked well for me because my specialist method has made me popular within the department. Essentially I am constanly being invited on to journal papers as a lower (down the list) author. Shame they take so long to actually get published...

Hi Mog. Credibility is very important. When I have done online surveys in the past I have gained the support and trust of important stakeholders and they have been the impetus for people to apply. For example, when doing an online survey with Masters level students I asked the course leaders to champion the survey and distribute the link...it worked. Dillman also provides some excellent suggestions that I followed for my PhD. Using his work I went from 7% in my pilot to 30% response rate overall!

My wife always says that "money comes and goes". Coupled with my father's repetitive "you have to speculate to accumulate" saying, my advice would be to do it. Whilst we as scientists and social scientists (and all other acs) tend not to accumulate in terms of monetary gratification we do in terms of opportunities - often opportunities the next man would love to sacrifice their BMW or Porsche for. Go for it, you never know what the next step of the ladder will bring!

It is funny because I was having a conversation with a Professor yesterday related to this thread. He was saying that he feels that in the UK there is a general feeling that more educated people should be 'apologetic' for their education. We herald people that have earned a million selling sandwiches, whereas someone who has done equally well in an alternative competitive environment - i.e. educational qualifications, is seen as an unknown entity. In reality, perhaps both types of people should be applauded? We certainly have a crude view of education. In most other countries, including the US, Professor's, lecturers, and educated people in general are considered as important within society. Perhaps, here in the UK, we put a lot of emphasis on people becoming footballers, pop-stars, glamour girls, reality tv stars etc etc....after all, when was the last time you saw a TV show called e.g. 'Who wants to be a PhD student', or 'Big Professor' ... At the end of the day...you love research, it wont make you rich, but it will make you comfortable. When you sit back at retirement age, hopefully you will have an enormous amount of self-respect for what you achieved in your career - and then, what does it matter what anyone else thinks???

This is a great lesson actually. I agree with Ginga BTW. My first paper flew in...I got arrogant/sloppy. Second one got dispatched by supervisors before it even got to review. Best of luck.

I work part time on a Government project one day per week. The only problem I feel is the incredible guilt of not working on my PhD when everyone around me is. But, after eight years of academic work...I should probably get over this insecurity.

PhDBUG - Do you think it will make a good impression on the old vita?

All I wish is that my "sups" managed to maintain (even through acting if necessary) an interest in me throughout the year(s) - and not just when I am writing a journal/conference paper!!!! And even then - if they want to come on the track...at least read it before its submitted/presented! Not much to ask.

OH...and, don't say im moody to other members of the department after they have CHEEKILY asked me to write a couple of emails for them...because they are TOO busy. If I wanted to be a PA...

It seems clear that you are committed to a career in research...although I sense you are trying to prove something to yourself by doing a second bachelors. Nonetheless, my advice is fairly simple and time orientated. The reason time is an essential component is because it feels ages ago since I was doing a bachelors and quite frankly, you need to pass so many obstacles between bachelors and PhD completion that time has to be a consideration. You have a 2:2, so have a look at prospective universities for masters study. You are probably going to look slightly down the league table of institutions to get on one with your grade. But this doesn't exactly have to be too far down! And...there are plenty for you to choose from. As soon as you get on to a masters, perhaps start applying yourself to developing a current and well scoped out (i.e. PhD level) proposal. Possibly treat your masters as the preliminary stage of a PhD proposal. Once you are on the masters, getting a Distinction and having a well planned proposal are really going to stand you in good stead. You may consider doing the MSc full time (despite the cost - you're not going to get funding for MSc easily). That way you put everything into the Masters, and hope that you can re-coup your costs by getting PhD funding. Incidentally, most of us do pretty well on a PhD scholarship. You can do extra teaching, I am a research assistant on a big project, and I do tutoring on the weekends. I reckon I take home slightly more than £20k tax free per year - not bad! Try and get in with your masters supervisors and you may be able to get a PhD award with them. Alternatively, shop around a bit for a PhD during your masters. Dont be afraid to book a meeting with a potential sup and just go and talk to them. Incidentally, trying to do a bit of publishing from your masters (or at least talking the talk) stands you in a good position with sups - they do love to publish off you for nothing!!!!

It is going to be a very hard tight rope to cross from where you are to PhD. However, if you are realistic in your choice of institution (since you got a 2:2), dedicated to research, organised in getting a good proposal with a good MSc grade, and shrewd in making contacts and getting yourself known (publishing or other), I think you will be successful! Give it a shot - and dont waste time...all the best.