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

How to respond to a very negative reviewer?

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From jollybrielle:
We have submitted our article to a reputed journal. Although it is our independent research with me - a graduate student and a doctoral. We received 2 reviewers' comments. One of them are very positive, he said it can be published with minor revise. The second one is very negative. From the beginning of his comments to the end, it is countless times he repeated that our work is pointless, non-sense, totally non-sense poor, careless....he even use "!!!" to describe his emotion. Nevertheless, we feel negative when we read his comment although we appreciate about his suggestions for our work. We do not know how to respond to his negative comments over our work. We are happy to receive the criticism of the reviewers but to say, the work we did for hours and months are just pointless, is really hurtful. Should we stay calm or fight back? Any suggestions
.

If you think the reviewer if seriously in error, then you could contact the editor and mention that, and see what they say. They might ask someone else to review it, and discount that review.

However, if you are to respond, I would be calm. I would respond along the lines of: Thank you for suggesting X, we understand/appreciate your comment. However, we feel ... XX ... and that's why the suggested change will not be made.

I would address every single comment, even if it is a very pointless harsh comment.

What do you place in your overall discussion chapter?

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From chickpea:
I'm planning on making my conclusion very short, because I think I'll just waffle and repeat parts of my discussion if I aim for anything more than that.

That's a good idea, I think I'll do the same too. I think I might combine the final discussion an conclusion into one chapter. I'm worried about repetition.

When do you get your thesis professionally proof read?

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Hi,

I'm just wondering at which stage specifically you get your thesis professionally proof read?

Is it just before submission after your supervisors have given the go ahead to submit, or is it before you submit the first full draft?

How long is your literature review?

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Hi,

I'm just wondering how long your literature review is?

I've left writing up the literature review towards the end, and I've allocated 10,000 words to it. Does that sound ok?

The Postgraduate Moans Thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From iolande:
Does anyone feel that a major theorist doesn't deserve their place in the literature?

I'm sure you can find someone else who believes that too and you can reference to them, instead if to yourself?

I don't use any theory in my thesis so can't comment.

What do you place in your overall discussion chapter?

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Thanks HazyJane and Chickpea.

Based on what you have said, I think I should write up my literature review and introduction before I tackle the final discussion chapter and conclusion.

I've also seen some thesis that combine the final discussion and conclusion into one chapter. And I saw one thesis that skipped overall discussion and went straight to conclusion.

What do you place in your overall discussion chapter?

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Pjlu, what you describe sounds correct to me.

May I ask which paradigm you used? You could pm me if you prefer. It looks like you've found a lovely solution :)

Final year support thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

I've just started a separate thread on what to place in the overall discussion chapter as I'm a bit stuck, would appreciate your input please :) http://www.postgraduateforum.com/thread-45183

What do you place in your overall discussion chapter?

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Hi,

I have three studies, each of which contain their own discussion section that goes into detail. Conclusions and recommendations are made in each chapter too.

I'm just wondering in that case what goes into my overall discussion chapter of the thesis? I can bring all three studies together, and come up with some synthesized recommendations, but that's about it. I don't want to repeat everything I've already written about earlier.

Any ideas? What are you doing/plan to do?

To justify or not? Formatting

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From ady:
agree that it's personal preference. That said I think justified both sides looks much tidier. I justify, no indent, double space between paragraphs.

I do above too! I think it comes down to personal preference.

Final year support thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From SarahSarahSarah:
Would like to join this thread..... since I'm in my last year too. I have not started writing my thesis yet. PhD requirements in my country are 4 articles published in international journals (1 or 2 are allowed to be only submitted or in press). Each article will be one chapter in the thesis, so I haven't started writing, but those chapters will be finished once my articles are out.

I have submitted two now and the third is in preparation for submission, so I guess I am on track, but it is a tough time to get it all done in time.

And this week I am also suffering from procrastination

Welcome Sarah :)

It sounds like you are making wonderful progress, well done! Do you have a plan in place for this final year with deadlines?

I find deadlines motivating. As well as promising myself a treat :)

Final year support thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From Zutterfly:

I'm just doing lots of reading this week to help me with writing a chapter, but it makes me feel so sleepy!

I find reading really tiresome too, I actually prefer writing (I can't believe I am saying this!) ;)

Final year support thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From Zutterfly:
How is everyone doing today at the end of the week?

Hope it has been a good week for you guys. Mine has not been productive as I had hoped but been poorly with a sickness bug :/ so I will let myself off ;)

Hi! Sorry to hear that, I hope you feel much better soon. Don't beat yourself up, you are not meant to be working when ill.

I had a very unproductive day too. I'm hoping next week will be better. I'm struggling a bit and feeling tired.

The Postgraduate Moans Thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From Zutterfly:

Mine goes through phases...they were really really bad in first year at getting anything back to me. I felt held back as a result. We had a discussion about it and they apologised...just that they are *so* busy etc. etc. but who isn't? Second year, they were a bit more prompt but I barely sent them anything as I was doing field work. Third year...they returned one chapter after a few months, ignored all my emails about others I have sent. I am dreading submitting my final draft because it'll probably take them a year to read it *sigh* Mine doesn't even give me a date, nor responds to prompts!

I am so sorry to hear this, it is terrible! I thought mine were bad with feedback, but this really is very bad.

Could you bring it up with them at your next meeting?

The Postgraduate Moans Thread

Hugh 1264 posts
8 years ago

Quote From Zutterfly:
Started a separate thread on this before realising this 'moans' thread is here...

Supervisors who just no longer acknowledge your existence in the third year!

Sorry to hear that, I have been there and still am there. I don't know why they promise to get back to you by a certain date but then don't get back to you until you prompt them. They then don't even bother apologising. Absolutely erks me.