I think you should put "groovy hyperlink" just to be extra cool 8-)

Thanks guys! This may just give me what I need to ignore my sup and NOT redo two dozen graphs! :-)

Thanks algae!

I'd already checked the distribution and used t-test for normals and mann-whitney for abnormals. Does using mann-whitney require you to log transform values? Ifeel as if I ought to do it for all tests or none but perhaps that doesn't matter?

Urgh. I made the mistake of thinking I'd finished a chapter, which of course is the cue for my supervisor to point out how I should have done it! So, for those whose brains are still functioning, may I seek your advice on a bit of basic analysis?

Part of my research has involved testing antibody levels in patients and controls, by ELISA. All kits came with multiple controls, from which I created the standard curve and determined sample concentrations as instructed. So, I have mean concentrations (in RU/ml or U/ml) for each sample and want to use a t-test to check for any significant differences between the two groups. Can I just do this with the U/ml data I have, or do I need to log transform the numbers first?

Sup is keen on my logging like a timber merchant, but I'm not sure and my brain is too addled to figure out the logical reasons for either option :-( any help massively appreciated.

Oh, I might well be coming through London then! I'll let you know if I can make it :-)

Bilbo and Alpaca, I'm in Scotland too :-)
But I go to London quite a bit so if there's a meet there I might be able to make it.
Oh, and I'm moving to Wales in September - anyone based there?

Hehe, yup stressed, our version was: "The one who smelt it dealt it" to which you'd then reply "The one who said the rhyme did the crime". Puerile but funny :-)

And don't worry Satchi, the woman was almost certainly doing her little nose-pinch routine so that her partner wouldn't think it was her (which he quite possibly did anyway, hehe). I think we probably should just be honest and own up to these things the way we would a yawn or belch, but I've rarely seen it.

Well ID'd Walminski! Ah, the many summers I spent watching that old video to pass a rainy afternoon.

My external scares me as well, he's terrifyingly important in my field and I'm sure his skull must ache from the size of his brain. The whole thing feels like intellectual David and Goliath, only I haven't got a slingshot :-(

Wow, well done everyone! Sounds like you're all storming through your chapters.

Regarding the contraception chat, the injection was a dream for me, fully effective and no side effects bar not having periods (which lets face it, is hardly a downside!). I had to come off it as long term use can impact your bone density, so switched to the implant which gave me breast cancer scares and made just putting a bra on torture. I may just tell the doc that sod it, I'll drink 2 litres of milk a day and chance my luck - jab me now damnit. While I'd love clearer skin (and seriously love increased cup size) there's just so many horror stories about most pills that I'm feeling a bit earth mother about it all. Can't imagine what would happen if my mood got any less stable.

As for goals, I've now sketched out all my discussion sections for this chapter so must bite the bullet and type it up. Goal 1 is to get each section on the computer in rough form.

Good luck daydreamer and button! And Algae, how rubbish :-( have these academics never heard of getting a balance in feedback? Hope you've managed to shrug of the frustration and get back on the horse (if not, I find a good night out - complete with some ranting - usually helps clear my head).

As for me, still rather lacking in sleep but am at my dad's where there is plentiful wifi, and few temptations as he hogs the tv (usually tuned to the military history channel for about 18 hours a day). So goals....

Overall Goal for the day: Finish this chapter and send to my poor supervisor.
Sub-goals: 1) Structure discussion
2) Write remaining sections
3) Fill in appendices and references
4) Proof and send!

I do like to revive this thread now and then! It has acted as a loyal witness for many of my solitary nights of tea and typing. Nights just like this in fact. It's 2.30am, I've been up all day, took a Nytol almost two hours ago -and yet somehow feel more work-friendly than ever. Not that I'm exactly setting the computer alight, I am after all, on PGF :p

Anyone else dribbling into their laptop while the kettle boils dry?

Oh Kb, I'd have been so tempted to send her one!
Perhaps you could even type up some pseudo-SPAM and send it at crazy times of morning under an alias. You could offer to sell her top class pharma for the stressed academic, sleeping pills that no email beep can penetrate, or even a relaxing holiday on a wifi-free island.

Ahem, actually I can see that sounds a tad nutty, hehe! She is frustrating me by proxy and my devilish streak is sneaking out :P
Well, that and the fact that I took a nytol an hour ago (have been sleeping rubbishly) and then ten minutes later decided tonight was the ideal time to finish this chapter. I'm a clever one aren't I?

I can relate Wally. I feel I could sum up my work very nicely in a few pages/a 10 minute chat - all this waffle I'm forced to produce does my head in. Try not to worry or feel guilty about the low motivation, I find it's a shy beast that returns only when coaxed and encouraged, it runs a mile from my usual threats and disdain.

Sounds like you've made excellent progress, and hey, we all need a bit of Rocky at times ;-)
Remember, even Adrian told Rocky "You can't wiiiiiiin!" But he did.