I don't think there's anything simple about mixed methods research. I'm currently wading through all the philosophical and practical implications of mixed methods. It's hard theoretical work. Then once you've done that, you have to learn two sets of data analysis techniques. Nothing easy about that man!

Hi all,

I'm nearly 12 months in to my PhD in education. Some days things go well and I feel like this thing is totally achievable and I'm excited to be here. Other days, like today, I feel completely inadequate, that my Faculty doesn't respect me or my work and that I might as well give up and go back to being a classroom teacher.

I know this is all part of the experience but it's hard!

How do people deal with the up and down feelings that come with postgraduate study? Do you have any suggestions for when it all gets really tough?

I really need to get out of this funk. All advice appreciated :)

Oh sorry, I really wanted to fill out your survey but I don't live in the UK. Good luck getting your response numbers!

I have been feeling this way a lot lately too. I always look at the other PhD candidates at my university and think "she has so many publications", "she seems to always be attending great conferences", "he has had some great teaching opportunities." For a while, these thoughts were really doing my head in. It's really hard not to compare yourself to others, especially when we're so often in competition for grants and jobs. I've realised, however, that we all have our own research journey and we will all have our own successes. I'm just holding in there because I know my day will come.

Try not to let it get you down. You're clearly very intelligent. Your supervisor clearly sees your talent otherwise he/she would not have employed you!