Thanks for sharing. Hope you hear soon.

I say go with your instincts. Somehow even when it was a risk and it turned out to be not exactly a panacea, I've never regretted the risks I've taken in my life. Whereas I do tend to regret it when I held back from doing something for fear of x, y, or z. If pursuing the Masters is an option for you, and the other option is so uninspiring, take the road lesser travelled!

Perhaps do a blue skies thinking kind of activity. Are those the only two options? Maybe there is a third option: eg another way to break into something more interesting.

You need to do some reading to find out what the key themes in your topic are. I doubt anyone on here could offer such specific advice. The literature holds the answers!

That's an idea - discussing them in their own section. Thank you.

I have access. PM me your email address if you still need it.

Hello... First year literature review... there are 2 similar metaanalyses on my topic (approached from slightly different angles). I need to review the literature also for my first year literature report. Any suggestions about how I should treat those reviews?
Obviously, I will mention them and their results - but what about MY review of relevant studies - it is normal to re do the work of others (i.e., the relevant studies have mostly already been reviewed in those two metaanalyses).
Advice appreciated!

My proposal stated I'd be using the same old methodologies as have been frequently used in my field. As time goes on I hope to come up with some adaptations / new ideas of how I will do something. But this defo wasn't outlined in my proposal. Hope that helps.

In addition to showing that you are grateful to those who helped, an acknowledgement slide can be a nice natural way to finish a presentation. Good luck!

Is it that you honestly don't know the answer, or is it that you think they are asking you something different, or do you know the answer once they've said it but just weren't able to articulate it / think on the spot?

No, I'm not in molecular physics. But just to clarify (maybe the thread title is a bit misleading), I'm not asking for advice on what to include in my literature review. I think it is a more a motivational / self-doubt issue... Did anyone have something similar right at the start of their PhD and overcame it or it just disappeared later??

I am sure others will give more informative support / advice. But my advice is that you try to rest / sleep. No point in trying to make decisions when you are too tired to think straight.

Hello all

Having progressed onto a PhD from a Masters I feel like I am struggling somewhat to "get into it". The topic of my Masters was related to the PhD topic (only the PhD is broader - the Masters study was a pilot for one of the PhD studies). Specifically, I wanted to ask for some advice on writing the literature report. I have never faced writing such a broad literature review (or at least it feels very broad). The literature review for the Masters was for quite a small area/ well refined - because it was the introduction/justification for one specific study. Whereas for the PhD it should serve to introduce and review the literature for a number of studies that I will do. I am not sure if this makes sense (now that I have written it), but any advice would be appreciated. I feel scared of failing the literature report (required in 2.5 months) before I have even started it!

Also, unrelated to the literature report - I feel worried about not being able to "get into" the PhD. So far I don't feel like I have any kind of grapple on it (3 weeks in) - even though it is a familiar enough area (I am not from another field). Grateful for any advice/sharing of experiences.

Thanks

Very encouraging quote.

Whatever you decide to do - you are definitely not stupid, and this event in no way defines your worth. One thing that I find helps me cope in difficult situations is to always have a Plan B in mind.
I understand how you feel about the supervisor not seeming to believe in your ability anymore. It sounds like you can change her mind - given that you feel you have a better understanding of the project now. Have you explained this to her? Good luck.

In a recent talk at my university, the trainer who specialises in training courses for PhD students and their supervisors, says that once you have passed that is that - no one ever asks or cares about whether it needed minor / major corrections.

I stated on my ethics form and participant info sheets that I would send out a report of the findings. Mailchimp? I'll look into it. Cheers.