Hi - thank you for your reply. My field is in the social sciences - specifically accounting. I have come across some papers in my discipline only using some sort of content analysis, I just wasn't sure whether that would also be OK for a Phd.

Hi - in my phd my research method is content analysis of written disclosures and visual images of annual reports. I am a little worried as this is secondary data only. In my differentiation I had also proposed interviews but they said that the interviews might be too much work and to consider doing the content analysis only. But after reading up on the internet I get conflicting views - some say its ok, some say its no good. Should I be worried? I've tried to address my concerns with my supervisor but I'm worried I'll sound like I doubt him. Thanks for any opinions.

Do you have a second supervisor who you could talk to and ask would he be able to help? Also speak to your school if you are worried (when I started my PhD I had problems with my supervisor and I approached my school about it and they were able to help me). Try and tell the school that you are having trouble getting into contact with your supervisor and as it is at such a crucial stage to your PhD you are worried about it. I wouldn't ask them for a new supervisor with your first contact, wait and see what they say. Hopefully your supervisor will get in touch soon, I know how very very frustrating it is!

Hi 4matt

What I do whenever I read a new article is I code it with a little label. I then order them according to their code (they are all numerical codes according to the week number I read the article in and then the number article of that week, e.g. 43/1). I then keep a spreadsheet with the code number, name of article, author, journal and the main themes which are covered in that article.

This makes it easy if I want to cross reference papers, I could just write, for example, see paper 43/1 (instead of having to write the title).
Also if I want to search for all the papers which cover a particular theme, I 'find' the theme I am looking for on the spreadsheet (using the find function in excel) and then it will highlight all the papers which cover that theme, and then by looking at the code I know exactly where to find it.

It might sound a bit complicated, but its what has worked for me so far!

Dear Tired

I also had to change supervisor, in my case it was because the research direction kept changing and I felt I wasn't progressing and because my supervisor would only let me work on what he wanted me to do. When I approached him about it (after initially contacting the School within which I am based) I told my supervisor that I did not wish to continue working with him as I felt that his style of supervision did not suit my style of working and that I felt this was impacting my PhD in a negative way. I said that I respected him and thanked him for his help to this point but that I didn't see how we could continue to work together in a positive and progressive way. Hopefully that helps.
I did have some help and guidance from my school, perhaps you could meet with someone there who might be able to help?
Initially I was very reluctant to even bring up the issue but I eventually realised if I didn't do something I would get nowhere.

Hi Hazyjane, thanks for your reply. I am in the social sciences- management more specifically.

Thanks DocInsanity for your reply. I have tried to find opportunities to teach by putting my name forward to teach but nothing came of it, whilst others seemed to get selected and I wonder is that because they already have teaching experience whereas I don't. I'm mostly worried my phd won't be as good as others if I finish without a publication and/or teaching experience. I know I shouldn't compare myself to others but sometimes its hard not to!

Hi, I am not really sure what to do about this. I am almost half way through the second year of my phd. So far I have not published anything and I also haven't done any teaching in any tutorials for undergraduates. Is this a problem that I should be worried about? Other phd students always seem to be talking about getting some of their work published or their plans for teaching tutorials and I feel like I'm really behind especially because 2 of the students are only just entering their 2nd year. I've always been trying to focus on just getting my phd finished but now I'm starting to doubt myself. I don't think I even have anything to publish yet because I am still doing my research so I'm not sure what everyone else is publishing.
What are your thoughts? Thanks!

Hi
I am sorry to hear about your predicament but I have had similar experiences so you are not alone. In my experience I always felt that my relationship with my supervisor was impacting on my productivity, I was confused about which direction I was taking because my research seemed to be constantly changing.
Your PhD is your PhD. So whilst I think it is our responsibility to take the initiative and not be spoon fed by our supervisors I feel that they are there to guide us and supervise our work and provide feedback/constructive criticism on what we're doing. Whenever your supervisor says that something is 'too broad' or 'too narrow' can you challenge him and say how exactly is it too broad, which areas specifically are too broad, what would you suggest I could do to help narrow the focus. When he says it needs more detail can you ask him what type of detail are you looking for, where do you feel there is a lack of detail etc.
Maybe because he is new the supervisory culture in his old university was different or if you're his first student ever maybe he is unsure what exactly he's supposed to be doing.
My university provided us with a handbook about the supervisors responsibilities and the student's responsibilities. It's a pity you were not provided with something similar. Some of the items which are included under the supervisor's responsibilities are:
Help the student draw up a plan timetable for their research
Monitor progress against this timetable on an ongoing basis
Provide the student with regular feedback on his or her work and raise any problems with the student as soon as they become apparent
Meet the student regularly
Included among the student's responsibilities are:
Agreeing a schedule of meetings with the supervisor and keeping to it
Keeping in regular contact with the supervisor and keeping him or her informed of the progress of the research
Taking the initiative in raising problems or difficulties
I doubt the expectations in your university would be much different, I can only speak from my own experience but if you feel you aren't getting the guidance you need I would speak up to someone because although the PhD is your work and you are responsible for its success or failure, you are entitled to guidance and help and that is why students are appointed a supervisor. I don't think supervisors are there just as a formality and to complete the paperwork.
Good luck and I hope it works out well for you.

Hi to everyone who has replied to my post. It has been so helpful to read your posts, ideas and reassuring words!
I can honestly say I will take the advice of everyone on board and I definately feel better about my situation, knowing that I am doing my best in my work and that I shouldn't compare myself to others (although its hard not too!)
I really appreciate the time you have taken to answer my post.

Thank you all for your advice. Potatoes, it is comforting to hear that I am not the only person who has not started to write their thesis 3 months in. My general methodology will be qualitative, I'm not sure will this affect how I approach my Phd? One of the main problems I think I had is I had to change my supervisor about a month and a half ago so I feel a little lost.
Wolfie27, thank you for your advice and reassuring words! I do try to keep my work organised in terms of keeping track of which articles I have read but I will divide this up further into themes and sub-themes as you mention. Your advice overall is really helpful and I will definately do what have you mentioned.
Fafalia, I too thought about quitting but I know this is something I want to do and I try to stay motivated in this way. I guess I knew it wouldn't be easy when I started but I will take the advice of the others and just focus on my work and not compare myself to others.
Thanks again all for your help, much appreciated.

Hi,
I am in my 10th month of my PhD. I have spent my first year doing a literature review and trying to get to grips with my topic (as I came straight from undergraduate and did not do a masters). I have kept a record of all the articles I have read and summarised each one. However when I compare what I have done to students just starting I feel like I am behind (for example a student who started 3 months ago is already starting to write her first 3 chapters of her thesis). What is normally expected of a student in their first year? My PhD is in the social sciences (management).
Thanks.

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Hi, I started a PhD in March of this year so I am just 6 months in (I was a late starter). I had done an undergraduate degree at this university and after working for a year and a half I contacted one of my old lecturers to see what PhD opportunities were available at the university. From that point on it went really quickly and I submitted my application and proposal and was accepted to start that March. Although I did some research into what PhDs were like I am now starting to think I didn't do enough because I am so confused and am struggling. Because I started late I had no introductory course and coming from an undergrad degree and work straight into a PhD it has all been a bit of culture shock and I don't know what is expected of me. My relationship with my supervisor is not good at all and I am really struggling. After my proposal was accepted my supervisor keeps changing what he wants me to do. I know it is 'my' PhD but every time I suggest something he says no and then gives me something else to do. When I work on the area he suggested I submit some work based on that to him (article summaries etc) and he always says what I am doing is wrong and I should be focusing on other areas (even though he suggested it to me). Any meetings I have with him are very unstructured and he spends all the time on his iphone and computer and feel like he isn't listening to me. I booked off 2 weeks holiday (which he agreed) and I reminded him I would be away a week before and he made it clear to me that he was unhappy me taking these 2 weeks off. It is a non science PhD so I am spending all my time doing literature review (reading articles and summarising). It is so hard to remain focused and because I have no clear idea of what I am supposed to be doing I worry a lot that I will fail differenation and lose my scholarship and be left with nowhere to live. I come in everyday and work from 8am-3pm with around an hour lunch break. I don't know should I be doing more work at this stage but I find it difficult enough already stayed focused to read all day for 6 hours.
Does anyone have any advise on how to approach my first year and my problems with my supervisor?
Thanks.