Overview of Thesisfun on PostgraduateForum.com

Overview of Thesisfun

Signup date: 07 Jun 2014 at 10:37am

Last login: 04 Oct 2019 at 9:10am

Post count: 125

Recent Posts

Supervisor Dilemma and Competency Issues

Thesisfun 125 posts
6 years ago

If you are getting adequate support, then it hardly seems worth the effort!

The difference between a primary and secondary supervisor typically makes more difference to the supervisors (and university metrics), so if B isn't bothered, then no need to worry!

In terms of papers, the last author is usually the senior author so should be: you, A, B. If A wants to go last, just say that B is professor so usual practice to put them last.
(This may be discipline dependent!!)

PhD at Salford University

Thesisfun 125 posts
6 years ago

There are lots of ways to measure 'good'- e.g. prestige, student support, student experience.

The fact that it appears to be the only university to offer you a place after three years of trying may give you an idea as to how prestigious it is!

Dated in Thailand while I was visiting

Thesisfun 125 posts
6 years ago

Quote From jacoblincoln:
I visited Thailand a few weeks ago. I stayed there for a week or two. I ended up meeting single women in Thailand. This was really fun but one chick really stood out among the rest and I went out with her 4 times. She was really nice and beautiful. I want to contact her again but I’m really not sure if I should. I’m based in another country and I’m not sure if long distance relationships are bearable. I’d love to hear from anyone here who is in a long distance relationship. What pushed you to start the relationship even though you knew it would be long distance? Is it really that hard? How often do you visit each other?

It's not going to happen- move on!

co-authoring yes or no

Thesisfun 125 posts
6 years ago

Say yes

A lesson of manners with examiners

Thesisfun 125 posts
6 years ago

Quote From lucedan:
Hello everybody,

I am waiting for my reports from my examiners for a revise and resubmit. In any case, it is my intention (or better, I would like) to talk with my examiners about what they did not understand about my submission.
I have prepared a file with some questions & answers that I believe would help understand what were my objectives, and I would love to understand how to manage this situation (I have found this answer on quora which is quite positive: https://www.quora.com/What-should-I-do-about-my-my-PhD-psychology-thesis-coming-back-with-a-revise-and-resubmit-because-the-examiner-did-not-understand-my-statistics)

Can you give me your suggestion on how to behave and what not to do?

Best
Luca

My suggestion is that this is a terrible idea.

Your Q&A document sounds a bit like Lucedan's thesis for dummies....
1) Your viva and thesis should not need additional explanation
2) If I was your examiner, I would be annoyed that you felt I wasn't bright enough to understand your thesis.

What are PhD supervisors for?

Thesisfun 125 posts
6 years ago

Quote From sara91:
I have had two PhD supervisors so far! I changed the first supervisor after 3 months since she intervened in the topic and did not want me to work on the proposal she accepted indicating that "it is too easy and anyone can do it" ! The new supervisor, the one I currently have, has been completely hands off for four months to the extent that she refused many times to give me advice even when I asked her for it many times insisting on how much I need to know her opinion! After seven months in the PhD programme I am now wondering what are supervisors for? What are they supposed to do?! Why do we need them?! Why do we have them??? Thank you all!

So... first supervisor offered advice which you didn't like so rejected them. Second supervisor seems unwilling to offer advice!

when is it an appropriate time to put a letter (e.g 1a, 1b ) after a figure number? :-s

Thesisfun 125 posts
6 years ago

Either:
Figure 1,2,3,4 etc (i.e. no chapter/ section numbers) OR
Figure 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2 (with with first number representing the chapter number).

Letters make it overly complicated.

Missing thread

Thesisfun 125 posts
6 years ago

What happened to the thread by the Cypriot doctor who was trying to do a clinical trial on the cheap using medical students to recruit?

Has it been deleted as I can't seem to find it

Research Opportunities for Medical Students

Thesisfun 125 posts
6 years ago

Quote From Kostas:
Dear Thesisfun. Thank you for your comment. This gives me the opportunity to add something extremeley important , which I neglected to say. The solution I have developed is TOPICAL. I would also like to remind you that the ingredients of the formula are ALL natural. The formula has already been approved by the National Pharmaceutical Services for "cosmetic" use. I have the "Products Information File" with all tests and results available upon request. The fact that I would like to proceed with official clinical studies, shows that the efficiency of the solution is very high.

So... you are looking for people to run a trial for you cheaply!
Based on the information provided, this is likely to be classified as a drug trial. Remember.... 'natural' things can also cause harm!!
Your website (https://www.mgrpco.com/neo-gum-study) suggests you have little understanding of clinical research.

If you wish to pursue this.... I suggest you contact a university directly and offer to fund studentships.

Research Opportunities for Medical Students

Thesisfun 125 posts
6 years ago

Quote From Kostas:
My name is Dr. Kostas Grigoriou and I am a Medical Practitioner in Cyprus. For the past 5 years, I was dedicated in finding new alternative methods of treating several medical disorders such as Onychomycosis, Skin Psoriasis, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Oral Lichen Planus etc. After trying a number of different formulas, I have finally developed a formula made entirely out of natural ingredients and was tested with great success to patients, unofficially. The theory behind the formulas' Mechanism of Action is unique. I am
looking for medical students that are willing to conduct clinical researches for the said formula in certain medical fields. This could be a great thesis topic. This is a also great opportunity to prove that nature can provide us with the necessary tools to treat patients, if not more effectively and without any side effects. Please note that the formula is protected by Patent Law.

Thank you for your attention.

Dr. Kostas Grigoriou

"Unofficial" testing of a product with patients- will let others decide if collaborating with Dr Grigoriou is a good idea!

hepl-Phd-subject

Thesisfun 125 posts
6 years ago

Another vague "pick my PhD" topic.

Suggest you talk to supervisors.

I do like combine harvesters though!

Which statistical test can be used for comparison of reation rates ?

Thesisfun 125 posts
6 years ago

I think you are missing the point- you want to show equivalence, so will need to set an equivalence boundary (arbitrary is possibly OK, as long as others agree that they are reasonable).

You still haven't addressed the lack of power issue!

Which statistical test can be used for comparison of reation rates ?

Thesisfun 125 posts
6 years ago

So....
1) You need to test for equivalence (not superiority)- what is your equivalence boundary
2) A sample size of four is almost certainly too small- lack of an effect will just be due to lack of power.

SOAS or QUEEN MARY? HELP!

Thesisfun 125 posts
6 years ago

SOAS- it's quicker to write!

possible viva decision overturned?

Thesisfun 125 posts
6 years ago

Quote From anamy:
Hi, looking for some advice. I recently had a viva where the informal recommendation was resubmit for a second viva. I have not seen any of the reports yet. From what I can tell, the decision was based on my performance in the viva (not answering questions well, gaps in knowledge...) and not based on my thesis. I was suffering from a particular acute medical condition at the time which has affected my concentration, energy level, and memory. Basically, I couldn't think straight during the viva and could not prepare properly beforehand. The apparent gaps in my knowledge were not due to actual gaps in my knowledge, but because I was not myself. I would not have been given this decision if it weren't for my condition, I am quite confident of this. I can provide medical documentation of this, and have gotten in touch with my supervisor who seems sympathetic.

Would this be grounds to overturn the examiners decision to resubmit for a second viva? I understand that different institutions will have different regulations on this, but I am curious if anybody has some inside knowledge or experience with something similar. It seems very harsh to judge years of work based on a few hours when I was not myself, and a second viva would be personally very difficult to handle. Thank you!

At present, you have not achieved the standard required of a PhD, so it is quite right that you should not pass. You would have been aware from the start that the assessment process comprised both a written and verbal element.

Whilst the university should make allowances for a medical condition, these allowances should be around the format/ process (e.g. extra time) rather than the standard.

You describe this as an acute condition (not chronic), so I fail to understand why a second chance should be a problem following recovery!