Yeah, well done Bilbo. Who will be next to get 5 stars, I wonder?

Not an expert, but could you use the credits to upgrade to an MSc via the Open University?

I think there's something going on up at mine, but it's going to be very chilly, so I bet most of the students stay in bed. Since there isn't anything going on at yours, and even if there is, you can hardly be considered to be a 'scab' crossing the picket line. Job = money = food and heating.

Hi Truuao, I don't see there being a problem with negative results. I have some 'negative results' and some of my research is flawed. But it's not the end of the world. I've tried to discuss why and I suggested further research that I can do to actually do something about it. You can still defend your work. Afterall, you know the strengths and weaknesses of it better than anyone.:-)

I'll e-mail everyone the book. Just PM me with an e-mail address that I can send it to. :-)

Cheers, cleverclogs. Warms the cockles of my heart to know that my work is going to be so cutting edge and popular. Not sure about the bit concerning becoming a fully fledged academic. You do read the papers, don't you?;-)

I do have that book. I'll send it to you. Just PM me a contact e-mail address and I'll send it to you. Thanks.

I've done 900 words today, talking about the clinical implications of my work. So that's not too bad. Tomorrow I will look at (well today, as the clock just hit midnight as I was typing this) future research possibilities.

Edit:- -1700 words.

I'll bet no-one can beat this...flipping minus progress. 300 words written today, but 2000 words deleted. Therefore, my total progress today is: 1700 words.

Congratualtions and well done, Dr. Barnaby.

I think this thread can be summed up in six words (I only wish my thesis was as concise): How not to get a PhD.

This is a nice thread. I can only say that if I'd decided not to do a PhD, I could now be in a really good job and (because life may have turned out differently) genuinely happy. However, it's all 'ifs' and buts'. I could be one of the thousands of graduates currently looking for a job. I could have started my own private business on the basis of my original degree and be doing well. I'm slowly writing up and it's proving to be a painful process. So, I'm probably not currently best placed to answer whether I'd rather be in the alternative future. A year from now, life could be completely different for me (sun, sea, sand...as if!), I might be really happy and I wouldn't want to swap it for any future. So, I don't know really.:-)

I'd be a really good member of the Royal family. I almost wish that, just like that King Ralph movie, they were all blown up (in the nicest, most humorous way possible, like in the movie) and that I was established to be next in line to the throne. I'd fill all the pages of Take-A-Break (King Walminski spotted in Burger King), Peoples' Friend (The King buys every member of the Women's Institute a scone) and Rolling Stone (King Walminski DJ's in Ibiza). Of course, I'd do naughty stuff as well and stick my nose into politics. I'd tell Dave to sort out the Higher Education system properly; I'd personally see to it that all PhD students were given an MBE upon graduation; and I'd definitely be a champion of art and culture (even though I don't properly understand it).
Of course, I'd need a queen. Now I'm in my Saga years I'd probably just need one that's a good cook, enjoys listening to my endless tales of research woes and that enjoys country walks. I suppose I could approach Nigella Lawson but high blood pressure at tea time is a recipe for indigestion.

Yes, the examiners will almost certainly go over the thesis page-by-page. :-)