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Is high level of depression related to PhD system?
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I think that would be fab kronkondile. I completely agree about the no mans land period between submission and viva. Mind you, I am still finding post viva hard going!

question about post viva corrections
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Thanks Kronkondile, for some reason I have only just seen your last response.

I know 404 was asking about this today too on a separate thread but I thought you guys might want to know that this has been sorted. I need to address the point in question but can do so simply by justifying the approach I took (and not making the changes I thought they were asking for). I am very ! I am hoping to have a final corrected copy later this week for my internal to look at.

Those annoying little acts of rudeness (angry smiley)
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Thanks for the translation, I did wonder what bogan meant (although could tell it was not meant in a complimentary way!)

Feeling a little bit lonely
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Sounds good. Everyone likes a good biscuit and I have a feeling you are a good cook.

Citing an author, but reading a different meaning in his article
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No problem, I always like to over complicate things myself so may have done the same.

Thanks for asking about the changes. I have done all bar the disputed one. I am hoping to talk to my internal about it today.

Citing an author, but reading a different meaning in his article
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I would probably do as you say and mention that this was not the author's intention but that the idea/ findings may translate well to blah blah...

Citing an author, but reading a different meaning in his article
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I agree with Pup, it should be fine.

I'm very close to quitting
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Glad you are feeling better about everything Otto.

I am confused
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Although officially it shouldn't, I do think convenience is a factor. After all, you will need to get ethical approval from the relevant board and also be able to access participants.

It is hard to comment on other factors without knowing more about your subject. Obviously generalisability would be something to think about but that is not a straight forward issue in qualitative research (some people say this is not achievable, others claim that it is). It might be worth thinking about whether you want to sample similar practices (e.g. all rural small practices, district hospitals) or a wide range of practices (inner city huge practices, large teaching hospitals, tertiary care centres in addition to the above rural examples). I would imagine that partly depends on the qualitative methodology you wish to use.

I think you need to consider exactly what your research question is, what analytical methodology you want to use and maybe this will help guide your sampling strategy.

Publications and authorship
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Good luck with the paper, I hope your supervisor is very receptive and gives you so helpful comments on your paper.

First conference presentation...
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I personally would suggest something smart (and comfortable as others have said). It is conference specific thought and the ones I go to are always smart ish. It also makes me feel more confident if I feel I look the part.

I would suggest practicing what you are going to say out loud. It may sound crazy but I find this more effective than simply practicing it in my mind. If you can get some one to video you and then watch it back, that may be of help. I have done this and was surprised to see I did not look as nervous as I felt inside. That also gave me confidence.

Good luck!

I badly need advices
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I have to agree with everyone else. I have tried the 'write as much as you can without stopping' technique and this worked for me when I was having difficulty.

Also, I would switch off your modem or something. The internet is a terrible temptation for me also and sometimes it is easier simply not to be able to use it. I completely agree with Alicepalace on this one.

Badhaircut, I found the same thing, the procrastination was much worse for me around the final write up. Somehow the pressure just made it worse! I also set small targets which were achievable. I am a list person so I would often write lists of things that needed doing (small tasks) and then tick them off. It always made me feel better when I had achieved something, however small. I do think the key is seeing writing in chunks, if you look at the bigger picture it sometimes seems impossible (perhaps that is just me though).

Good luck, you can do it.

Is it just me who takes ages to read?
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Not at all, it takes a long time for me to get through articles also. It sort of depends what other things I am doing and how related the article is to my work (as you have said).

An academic recently told me about a speed reading course at the Uni and how it was so useful that she is still using some of the strategies now. I am thinking it might be worth trying (for me). Perhaps your uni has something similar.

question about post viva corrections
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Thanks Kronkondile! They have given me 30 days to do the corrections so I don't have much choice to be honest. I am at a conference the week after next so it will have to be done by then.

I did defend this in the viva and I thought it was all sorted. I will let you know as I have already sent my internal an email querying this. I am also going to speak to my supervisor as I know for a fact it was not requested (he can verify this if he was listening!)

Shall I change my username?
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It would be a tragedy if you did not do as Sylvester suggests. Sorry, could not resist.