Overview of DocInsanity

Recent Posts

Mixed methods. Feel lost. My Comparison study
D

Why do you believe that you have to do quantitative analysis?

How do you handle a large number of literature?
D

Tt_dan - I know the feeling! I think part of the problem is the immense curiosity probably most PhD students have. There's so much I'd like to read, and I really don't have the time.

Link to study on PhD and depression
D

Nothing worth doing is easy. I'm not sure about "clinical depression" (whatever that means) - some people may have reactive depression. At the end of the day, a PhD is not for some people. On the other hand, it is important that a lot of people feel overwhelmed at some stage in their PhD.

Writing style
D

I have found reading lots of articles is really helpful. This is also where it's helpful to have publications during the course of the PhD, to get practice and feedback.

Light at end of tunnel?
D

Not there, but I can imagine how difficult it is to sign off on the thesis. I have a terrible habit with projects of submitting them and then thinking of changes I should have made.

Enrolling as a part-time student after being full-time for 18 months - is this a good idea?
D

It sounds a very sensible move. I'm part-time myself, but for health reasons.

HELP! What goes in a final chapter? (overall discussion/conclusions)
D

I wouldn't summarise each chapter personally, my final chapter is going to be a wrapping up chapter of conclusions.

splice two projects together
D

You're the only person in a position to judge, but if you think it will look like two projects spliced together, then it's likely the examiners will.

How long to analyse 1 interview with grounded theory?
D

I don't think you can do it pro rata like that, given that the principle of grounded theory is multiple iterations which means that you have to go back and re-analyse your data as themes emerge.

Teaching and publications during phd
D

My main publication has been on something tangential to my PhD, for exactly those reasons that I haven't got all my data yet. I think it must depend on what your work is, there's no point in publishing for the sake of it. Teaching is harder to come by than before with all the cuts too. Personally I wouldn't get too worried, but you should look for opportunities in both teaching and publishing of course.

First time teaching
D

There's tons of stuff on teaching and learning in higher education, but they deal mainly with theory. What kind of book are you looking for? Are you able to have your peers observe you and you observe them?

Using my results prior to submission for publication - help?
D

I used some slides that were somebody else's but I asked their permission first and then added a credit to my Powerpoint. Also when someone else wanted to borrow those slides, I asked the original slide owner first.

Using my results prior to submission for publication - help?
D

That's totally unacceptable. I'd discuss it with one of your other supervisors, who will be appalled I think. He must know it's not on.

Communication
D

I think another recurring theme is that PhD students don't realise how much the onus is on them, that the PhD is totally different from a taught course and involves a certain amount of "formation" (to borrow a phrase from another area) of an academic who can communicate effectively and work with colleagues.

Disastrous viva result
D

Good advice Frazzled. Generally the criticisms made by academics will have some substance, and one needs to look at them dispassionately - not taking them personally but rather as an opportunity for improvement. That's a failing of mine which I have to be aware of and combat. Sometimes it IS appropriate to say I did it this way for this reason and stick to it, but just be very careful.