Hello
I am a Phd Student and I just finished my second year, two years and no progression and no publications.
I work hard but no result, because I can't find a solution for my problem and understand what wrong with my topic, my supervisor don't give me any help. I'm depressed...
I don't know what I can do:
1- change the thesis.
2-continue and don't give up

any help please :( ???

Best regards

Hello!
Please, tell us a bit about your research. What is the theme?

Hello
Thank you for your reply.
computational fluid dynamics.

No publications isn't necessarily a problem. What do you mean by no progression?

In my PhD, I have done a bunch of legitimate and sensible experiments trying to get closer to understanding a particular problem. I am no closer to understanding the problem, but have raised a load of questions through the experiments I have run. It doesn't feel like progress, but it is. It's very hard to publish this kind of 'result' though.

Identifying more questions is a contribution to knowledge. It's not a very satisfying one, but it can get you a PhD. I'm submitting at end of Sept - my section where I spell out contributions is essentially a list of new questions that my research has raised and ideas for approaches to answering them in the future.

Do you have a research plan that is approved by your scientific advisor?
In my opinion the success in doctorate investigation means data gathering according to the program of research. Do you have it?

Exactly. We have several people in the lab at the moment that are in their fourth year, supposed to finish early 2017 and they are writing their first papers right now. It is often like that, especially in fields where you need actual data to publish something (often you can't publish negative results).

No worries about that.

I don't have any plan approved by my supervisor.
I should find the problematic of my subject alone and I try many ideas and I don't achieve anything interesting.
I have to find the model and method of resolution without any help and advice. that is normal??

Your supervisor should really be discussing your plans with you and supporting you through it. It's okay to have your own ideas and approach, but you should definitely be doing this in consultation with your supervisor.

I think it's fine for a supervisor to expect you to go and find approaches for the method, and come up with a justification for your chosen one yourself. But, I would always discuss that with the supervisor - the justification for choice of method is really important, and they may have some ideas or disagree with your reasoning.

So no help in doing the initial search or creating your own initial justification is okay. But no help ever, is not something I would consider normal.

Have you been discussing your ideas with your supervisor? Or just trying lots of things out?

I have discussed all things I have tried, the answer is, show me good results not try (without any remark)

In order to find your specific theme of investigation try to examine actual research papers in computational fluid dynamic. Doing it you, most probably, will be able to determine an interesting problem to analyze. In other words attempt to study what had been done in your area before and what authors suggest to do further. Ask yourself about what questions in fluid dynamic are not studied yet.

it's been a month I do nothing. I think about my situation. May be desperate...
But I understand it's not benefic and I should move and don't lose hope, that's why I write this message to you and search help.
Could you share with me the way you work, and how could you concentrate in your topic and how you make your plans and your "to do list".
Thank you a lot

My doctorate research was about the influence of silicon on plant growth and protection against fungi.
Before I started the work I had made a research proposal.
The first paragraph of it contained a problem statement. In my case: nowadays in order to gain rich crop a lot of chemicals need to be used. This fact is very harmful not only for the humanity but also for the nature. Because of this more natural-friendly fertilizers need to be developed. (The real statement was more complicated but sense was in it).
Then it included the title (the theme) of the research, and tasks (aims) that should be done during the research. For example: to define the influence of various natural silicon compounds on plant growth and development; to pin down the reactions of silicon uptake from the soil and to describe it closely.
A practical application of my research was described below. It is important because the results I had taken are useful for agriculture. Without practical application all research is only waste of money, time etc. (in my opinion).
Another important part of the proposal is to put forward a hypothesis you will defend. In my case: silicon in active form taken by plant is able to protect plant cells from pathogen fungi and increases plant growth.
My entire research proposal was written in three pages.
Please say me about the methods of your research. Are they needed special equipment? Or are you able to do it with help of math only? In any cases I suggest you to use standard methodology that is commonly used in your branch of science. It also depends on the laboratory facilities your adviser has. To choose appropriate methods of research read the special books. (You need to go to the library). Remember that you first aim is to gain an appropriate research data because it gives proofs for your theory.
It you have another questions please ask me.

Thank you very much for your reply and help, I feel good by reading your message.
my research topic is about multiphase flows, math and also programmation in Matlab and C++.

I would know how to start again smartly? without spend time and overthink.

Thank you

I suggest you to define your theme as clearly as possible. It is said that the right formulated aim is about fifty one percent of success.
It would be great and very helpful to have and study a full PhD-paper written earlier by a pupil of your advisor. There is no something bad in it. Thereby you can understand the volume of work you have to do in order to gain a PhD-degree.
From Wikipedia I have read about multiphase flow. Do you able to choose concrete material to research independently or is it up to your advisor? What is about conditions of the flow? Where your materials will flow, so to say? You have to decide it clearly.
What is the scientific problem your research advisor works on at the moment? Is it possible for you to intersect your research with his one?