Hey guys...

Some good news, I've got an interview at a really good university on Tuesday. Only thing I'm concerned about is the presentation I have to give... it's not an academic presentation, rather an explanation of three categories. Any help with this would be really appreciated. I have to answer the following:

1. How my approach to teaching inspires students
2. The challenges associated with teaching on an international degree programme
3. How my research can be used to extend outreach programmes

The last one I have a better idea about but its the first two I'm uncertain on. Any help would be marvellous and really appreciated. I really want this job, its at a good university and is really close to me

Thanks guys
Smiler :-)

Hey guys,

Thanks for your advice! I like the idea of doing the contents page list. I think the efficiency is something that I like about that method. I think seeing how much left gives you a bit of a confidence boost.

Maybe a tad AnnJolie ;-)

I've recently had issues with this. My supervisor(s) and I published some work on another research project. However, my relationship with my supervisor has soured since last year, and now an article that we both wrote (admittedly my supervisor took the lead but my contribution was more than substantial) is now being published as a single author paper.

I was told recently by my supervisors that any papers I submit are written in CONJUNCTION with my supervisors. Conjunction was written in capitals (and underlined), and it was made clear to me that this was the expectation and normal practice.

However, this will not happen with my papers... my supervisors are not experts in my particular field, just supervisors for methodological and general understanding of my field and their names on my papers would not contribute anything. I believe mine would be more acknowledgements...

I take Fled's point into consideration that it is about your interest (publications) vs your position (you doing all the work).

Hey guys,

I know there are multiple threads relating to motivation but I'm perhaps looking for some good suggestions on how to keep motivated and make sure I'm getting my thesis in shape for submission pretty soon (say next 6 weeks).

This is a seemingly daunting task, filled with the fact that I've got to rewrite my results chapters to include more evaluation; work (my three part time jobs as I'm a part time self funded student); and take the criticisms of my increasingly hard to please primary supervisor, who over the last year has been a massive pain in the arse going from my best friend to my worst enemy in a single week, and there the supervisor-student relationship has remained!

I really need to stay motivated to keep on track for a submission so I can at least move on and begin to look for a proper full time position in academia (which will then be a whole new kettle of fish!).

So, to any recent submissions or completions or even anyone with any amazing ideas, does anyone have some decent advice on how to remain calm, but most of all motivated, to get through the writing up stage to submission? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you
Smiler :-)

Hi Obahamdoon, thanks for your comment. Yeah, statistics isn't my strongest point either. My statistics knowledge is at a very basic level, undergraduate really, and I'm not sure that it's decent enough, but I'll work this up. I definitely think that a DBA is for you if that's what you want to do, just make sure you know what you'll be doing during your DBA... stats, other research methods etc.

Hi Wowzers, unfortunately my supervisors are not so hot on stats. My dept is small and the person who was great on stats, took voluntary redundancy a few years back, and wasn't replaced.

Hi Catalinbond, thanks for the advice, that is very helpful. In what ways do mean this statistic is less meaningful because the numbers in each group are different? Also, you are very correct, it should be 2 instead of 1, I was typing this out in a bit of a panicked rush!

Thanks all :-)

Hi Noctu,

I've tried to access, and post to, PSYCH-POSTGRADS on JISCmail but unfortunately it won't let me post there. I'm not sure why! This just isn't my day!

Does anyone have any advice? Be much appreciated!

I am using software, I'm using SPSS. I'm not having an issue with doing the stats or using the software, just interpreting the results! Do I figure out the proportion more likely to take measures to protect the environment using the percentage in rows or columns (using the example I provided in my original post)?

As it stands, for this example.... I'm using column to state that those in category 1 and 2 are more likely to act pro-environmentally (78.2% - 38.4%+39.8%). I'm not sure whether this interpretation is correct though!! Can anyone clarify?

Hi guys,

I'm so stressed out and feel like I could explode at any time. I really need some help. I'm doing (what feels like millions of) chi square tests exploring the relationships between respondents key characteristics and pro-environmental behaviour. I can do the test fine, its the interpretation of it. I want to know the proportion of respondents (categorised into 6 groups) that are more likely to act pro-environmentally. I don't know whether I have to use the percentages in rows or columns to figure this out! Some things have said columns, other have said rows.... and I just don't know!!

For example:

Category Act
No Yes
1 Count 1 167
% within row 1.2% 98.8%
% within column 1.1% 38.4%

2 Count 4 173
% within row 2.3% 97.7%
% within column 2.2% 39.8%

3 Count 24 35
% within row 40.7% 53.9%
% within column 13% 8%

4 Count 33 28
% within row 54.1% 45.9%
% within column 7.9% 6.4%

5 Count 74 12
% within row 86% 14%
% within column 40.2% 2.8%

6 Count 47 20
% within row 70.1% 29.9%
% within column 25.5% 4.6%

So do I say that those more likely to act pro-environmentally are those respondents in category 1 (98.8%) (row) OR do I say that those more likely to act are those in category 2 (39.8%) (column)?

Conversely, do I say that those least likely to act are those in category 5 (86%) (row) OR do I say again its those in category 5 (40.2%) (column)?

Please help me out... I'm struggling so badly. Everyone is confusing and my supervisors/university are pretty much useless and not supportive!

I would appreciate any help! Thank you in anticipation