Hi! This will differ between uniersities. I'm doing a science PhD, so what I do might be totally different from what you might be doing.

But if you're interested, i'm expected to complete 100 hours of teaching and learning activities for the department (requirements of my studentship). This can include: acting as a teaching assistant (uncommon), supervising practical sessions, marking schoolwork, open day volunteering, peer reviews, organising shadow classes/seminars. I'm working as the schools exam invigilator :)

I have an office with a desk and computer but I only use it 3-4 days a week. On Wednesdays I work in the library because it's quieter. Just let your supervisor know what your planning. For me, as long as i'm working ~37.5 hours a week then i'm earning my studentship, so where I work is not necessarily a concern.

Hope this helps!

Hi everyone!

Basically, I've only been doing my PhD for a month now and I have weekly meetings with my supervisors. At each meeting, I'll end up saying something stupid or wrong or I can't answer their questions! It's driving me insane, they must wonder why the hell they hired me! I do all my reading, I stay up late to plan the meeting, write topics to discuss; today I woke up at 4.00 just to make sure I knew everything inside out before we started and I was just as bad as the previous week. Does anyone else feel this way with their PhD, or did feel this way?

Someone please tell me that looking like an idiot is a rite of passage or something!

Thanks everyone!

@janjansen Actually, a RCT would fit perfectly. Thanks for the advice :) will ask my supervisor what he thinks. I suppose it's more of a phase 0/1 study, but i'm not using a formal drug. i'm using a beetroot drink for it's inorganic nitrate. I may have to ask you for more advice in the future if you've already done a clinical study XD

@DrJeckyll That's exactly what I was taught when I did my degree, so that's why i'm a little cautious of a control group, but you've offered a good solution. Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I'm starting a PhD and i'm doing a little background reading before I begin next month. I'm currently looking at research design and methodology and i'm debating between the use of a control group for my study.

The study essentially looks at whether a nutritional supplement will lower the risk of CVD within a selected clinical population. Of course, this population will continue with the course of treatment prescribed to them by their Drs, so in order to determine whether the supplement lowered the risk of CVD (not their usual course of treatment), I could use a control group who would receive a placebo, whilst the exp. group received the treatment. It would control for bias too.

I'm not used to clinical research so i'm not sure about the ethics of using a control group, I was wondering if anyone had any advice? or could prehaps suggest another design. Sorry I appear ignorant. I've always wanted to do a PhD and am starting after a few years working outside of research.

Cheers guys.