Sneaks, I have a wonderful image of your avatar frantically hoovering a computer, it seems like something that should feature in phdcomics.com 8-)

And Jinkim, I prostrate myself before your word count, if I manage 300 words in a day I'm virtually dancing around my desk!

I've lost almost the whole day to training for a new machine we have on trial, interesting piece of kit but I find it hard to commit myself to starting a day's work at this hour, especially given it's so dark outside that it feels like home time.

Released from John's hand (a great relief, that boy had a serious BO problem) the bugs travelled gently through space and time, unravelling into their alternative forms as they went; Snakes grew back her red hair and reclaimed her top hat, Sapsucker's magnificent beard re-emerged for all to admire, and Sassy's forked tail popped back out in a flash.

Gradually everything slowed down, and the avatars-formerly-known-as-bugs (AFKABs) found themselves in a new place, blissfully devoid of santa, carlos, and the damned omnibus. They had only one concern, where was little Jemima?

======= Date Modified 25 Nov 2009 14:01:58 =======
Perhaps focus on what you want from the PhD experience; challenges, resources, and explain that you don't feel you have enough of those things provided for you to excel in your current institute. I think sneaks is right that you need to be honesty but positive, ie - I've realised how much I enjoy the research process and I want to be in a department where I feel challenged.

They're obviously interested so be tactically honest, tell him that you're fascinated by his topic and are looking for a supervisor with more experience and a desire to push you, don't be afraid to interview him back so he sees you're serious about playing an active role. And acknowledge the step you're taking, say it's a big deal for you to start over but that you'd rather lose time now and come out having achieved research you can be proud of and build a career on.

We have addressed the issue in the paper, and the work is sufficiently powered to detect the original effect reported. Unfortunately for this kind of study (genetic) a lot of journals have a blanket rule that they won't accept a negative finidng with sample less than in the original or less than "n". Plus, who really wants to report negatives in this field?

======= Date Modified 24 Nov 2009 17:06:12 =======
No useful feedback sadly, the main issue is just that the first paper on the topic was done in a slightly larger sample group, I've now got a negative counter-result but it's barely publishable because my sample power is slightly lower :-( Absolutely nothing I can do about it until I get access to more samples, and that won't happen in the course of my phd. It actually frustrates me most because I had some really interesting and valid points that no one else has put out there, for once I felt that I had something worthwhile to say!

*rant over*

Glad the stuf for your paper is getting underway, I think we both deserve gummy bears, but in place of that I may have my thrid packet of iced gems today.

I wasn't utterly unproductive, but then the universe slapped me in the face with a rejected paper anyway :-( so I'm feeling a little of your this pain. And Walminksi, I know it's hard to believe when immersed in a tepid bath of despair, but you really will have good days again, promise.
I completely have the online shopping bug; that gummy bear sounds amazing! Today I also (courtesy of facebook ads) ordered myself a free "graze" box, Friday will now equal free nibbles!
I wish I had a dog like some of you, I had to give mine up a few years back and I still miss her like crazy.

And yes, come over and join us at sneaks thread anyone who wants to be accountable, my patter has been rubbish today so it could do with livening up before sneaks dies of boredom.

That's awesome progress sneaks! You'll definitely slay the thematic beast now :)

I have ticked off everything on today's list yet somehow I feel under-accomplished, probably because I just had a paper rejected this afternoon :-( *sigh* the rejection stings like a bad-tempered jellyfish.

======= Date Modified 24 Nov 2009 16:04:28 =======
============= Edited by a Moderator =============

Emily can clearly use the internet you smartyclogs, she (assuming gender) is asking about alternative methods of approaching groups, so just leave the sarcasm at home for once, hmm?

Emily, I'm afraid I'm still 6 months from finishing and not too wise myself, but certainly other people in my lab have either made contacts through conferences, meetings, etc, or tried emailing people who's work or group they're familiar with. There's no harm in getting your name out there so I'd say contact anyone you're interested in, never a nad thing to show initiative. A lack of publications doesn't have to be the end of your career, but maybe keep an open mind to RA positions or even temporary academic jobs if you need some time to buld stuff up, that approach worked for a friend of mine who hadn't published.

Way to go sneaks! (up)
I'm psyching myself up for the easy but lengthy lab task, then a final review of the work plan and I'm all done.

Plagiarism of outfits, shocking!
Hmm, perhaps I need a change, it really is rather late in the year for sunnies.

Well, I've contacted both Dr Expert and the company I bought from, neither will actually answer my questions *head-desk*. But on the upside I've ticked three things off my list :)

======= Date Modified 24 Nov 2009 10:16:23 =======
Hehe, this is a truly accountable thread! Thanks for the prod sneaks, I must admit I stalled horribly on that yesterday, but I am note taking as you type. I'm stuck on one point and the academic who replies to just about every inane question on his software's forum has seen fit to ignore mine - can't decide if I've been offensively thick or if he's just gotten bored :s

But your plan looks ambitious so I must not let the side down, here we go:

* Harangue so-called expert again for advice (which maximization approach?)
* Finalise plate layouts for HKG runs
* Dilute and store primers
* Write summary of each software option
* Read up for tomorrow's training

Structure looks great bug, hope it went well!

Glad your pain issues are getting resolved Sneaks, it sounds pretty nasty :s

That said, I'm jealous of your car and even more of your dog! I am currently dogless and it's just not right :( Oh, and the tube is genius! I couldn't decide if it was a joke invention at first :)

Software licensing really does suck (although I'd give my right eye for one that could be bought for £70, the one I'd love access to is £1k), is there anyone you can call and bitch at to get the codes post-lunch?

I had a very gentle meeting this morning and Friday's experiments had worked, for which I'm grateful. Now it's back to the coffee because I am seriously falling asleep (and because this data analysis summary has become my own thematic analysis *sigh*)

How are the interviews going Sneaks, made any headway?

I had a lovely but PhD-wise unconstructive weekend *insert icon for beaming sheepishly* but Monday has arrived and I must get back on track. Meeting with supervisor today so I'll final get an idea of how he sees these final 6 months panning out. Tasks for the day include:

- Prep notes for the meeting
- Finally sort a rough guide for analysis methods
- Analyse data from Friday
- All being well with Friday's data, plan the HKG testing
- Write up relevant methods in thesis

Ta-daaaaaaaaa