Overview of Hugh on PostgraduateForum.com

Overview of Hugh

Signup date: 12 Mar 2010 at 9:38am

Last login: 24 May 2017 at 8:31pm

Post count: 1264

Recent Posts

The Postgraduate Moans Thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From Zutterfly:
I just want to moan that while I plan on submitting my final chapter to my sup tomorrow, I feel I cannot celebrate as I have a ton of editing waiting for me over the next two months that I am dreading!

Very true. I think at every stage there's something else to do/wait on, and by the time you reach the final stage (I suspect which is being awarded the certificate/graduation), its an anti-climax

Final year support thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From Zutterfly:
The process seems a bit too drawn out for my liking as it is. When people who are not studying a PhD ask me when I will get my PhD, I have to explain that its not so straightforward and that it depends on a lot of things e.g. how speedy your sup is at reading the draft, how long examiners take to read it, examiners availability for viva, whether you get corrections and to what scale, how long to submit corrections, how long for the corrections to be accepted etc. Phew!

I agree! The length of the time and the dependency on others is what frustrates me! Its not an independent examination, rather its an examination your supervisors' skills and dedication too in some ways. And the viva is so dependent on the examiner's nature and mood!

Poster for nonacademic audience

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From Tudor_Queen:
Hello all

Would you list references on a poster about a research study that is for a non-academic audience? Opinion or informed advice welcome.

Cheers
Tudor

I would but I would place the reference as small footnotes, rather than citing within text.

revise thesis for resubmission vs new proposal for a new topic

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From pearldrops11:
Hi,

Perhaps someone might be able to clarify something for me. If a thesis had been failed and the examiners recommend a year to resubmit but you suspect it might be difficult to make all the changes required in that space of time, is it possible to put in a new proposal for a different thesis topic? Thanks

Surely making the changes would be quicker than starting again from scratch? Or do you mean changing the slant of the PhD?

Final year support thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From Zutterfly:

It is wise to start thinking about it sooner than later and discussing with your sup. It may take a while for the potential examiner to have the availability to examine you and they are allowed (at my university anyway) up to 3 months between submission and examination. So, it is best to have some names in mind so that it is a smooth process and one that does not involve long periods of waiting around for the examiners to become available etc.

That's very true. It'd be a nightmare to be sat waiting for 3 months!

Final year support thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

That is very clever chickpea, thanks for sharing! :) I was waiting till first draft was submitted to supervises to then think about viva examiners, but maybe I need to get started on it sooner!

getting associate lecturer work

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Where are these hourly based lecturship job adverts usually advertised? Are they internal or through agencies?

Final year support thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From chickpea:
Sorry, realised after I posted the above that I had conflated 'multi-disciplinary' and 'mixed methodology' - my brain has been in meltdown for several days! But if there is one aspect of your thesis that might be understood less well by a non-expert, it may be best to choose an external based on that?

That's a good point. Mine is also mixed methods, though I think the quantitative side holds more weight. I need to discuss this my supervisors. Its a tricky one, do you choose someone that is an expert in the specific topic (but may completely undermine the research as it opposes her opinion) or someone who is an expert in the area but not in the specific field, and who is more likely to be less biased perhaps (and nicer?)?

Final year support thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Thanks Zutterfly, that really helps! I suppose I should get stuck in and then I'll get a better idea of how it all sits. I like your idea of a summary in each chapter rather than a conclusion, I think I might pinch that idea :)

Re viva, you've got an internal, that's good news! I need to bring this up at my next supervision. It just feels too real to be discussing the viva, I feel like I'm jumping the gun! (imposter syndrome creeping in)

Final year support thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Zutterfly, btw when are you expecting your viva to be? I haven't even discussed viva examiners with my supervisors yet, and tbh I'm not sure who would be suitable (as its multi disciplinary!)

Final year support thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

the anger and frustration is fully justified!

On another note entirely, Zutterfly you have written your overall discussion and conclusion. I'm just wondering, did you find yourself repeating things from the findings chapters? I'm thinking of moving recommendations from each of the findings chapters to the overall conclusion, but I'm kind of worried that the overall conclusion for example will just sound very similar to the conclusion in the findings chapters! I've had a look at other thesis, and a few have integrated overall discussion and conclusion into one chapter, whilst others have kept them seperate but the conclusion is just 2-4 pages long. I'm not really sure what to do. Any tips/suggestions?

In some ways I feel like I don't really need an overall discussion chapter but I suppose this is the done thing ...

Final year support thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From chickpea:
I've not even considered working yet today - far too distracted with the news! I must do something this afternoon though!

So I'm not the only one thankfully. Feel like I've just wasted my whole morning. But I have a right to be frustrated right? :(

PLS DOES BREXIT AFFECT M RESEARCH?

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Honestly, I think you will be fine. Brexit wont happen till much later in the year, and your research is still relevant despite Brexit. Don't worry.

Final year support thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From Zutterfly:

Today will be entirely dedicated to my PhD- I have one small section of my conclusion to write then I can get stuck into editing. I was concerned the conclusion would be challenging but I was pleasantly surprised; I had all my findings chapters printed out and combed through them to draw out the key points and recommendations. I found the findings chapters tough though. Thankfully, my supervisor really likes the findings chapters, and there are just a few tweaks here and there to make on those. I am dreading sorting the introduction and literature review though! I also found out that my first choice of internal examiner has agreed to do my viva which I am happy about :)

That's great news! :) I'm a bit distracted this morning with the Brexit news, really need to get back to work!

Final year support thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Zutterfly, enjoy your weekend! :) With regards to long naps, I have started on those too. I think its the hayfever season and the effect of anti-histamines which is making me drowsy! If I don't take them though I feel ill. catch 22 situation.

I did have a better day today though thankfully. Edited a chapter and submitted a conference paper.

I've got a chapter to submit tomorrow and then I have 3 chapters left to write (the overall discussion, conclusion and introduction). Word count wise it isn't heavy, (not more than 8,000 all together), but I think the overall discussion and conclusion will be challenging, as its drawing info from all my studies, and making sure the contribution is clear. Its also difficult to ensure that its not just a repetition of what is already in the study chapters, and sounds clever ;) and I'm going to have to move things around too!