Hi rrhood,

I think you should include them, not only because you are struggling for numbers, yet also from an ethical point of view: you have interviewed them, "no news is news as well" etc.

I agree that having to transcribe those interviews is a bít of a pain, as it will not provide that much interesting stuff. Evenso, when you publish your research it will strengthen your argument and you do not have to find excuses for why certain people have been excluded.

Hi Sneaks,

just saw this: Congratulations!! You are a star!!!

Fantastic news!

Hi Sneaks,

how are you? Do you feel a bit more confident now? Well done regarding the article.

Oh, yes, how to select them?

I think you have a few options. For example academics you know and who are familiar with your research. You can ask whether they are happy to review an article for you, if so, you can give their names to the editor. Obviously this has the disadvantage that it is not anonymous. Alternatively you can provide names to the editor blindly and these people may then decide themselves whether they want to do it or not.

In a similar fashion you could suggest key authors from your field, for example from the references.:-)

Hi Skig,

you do not have to nominate reviewers, yet the editor likes it if you do, as it may prevent him / her having to search for them. Always good to have the editor on your site. Also as you wrote the article you probably know the key authors in that field, so you are in a good position to advise on it. You may even know some of the potential reviewers personally, know their style of working and may use this to aid selection.

Be aware that some journals use an open review system (the reviewers will know your name and you will know theirs) and others a "blind" system. As you can imagine both may have advantages and disadvantages.

Good luck!

Hi Sneaks, also hello to the well known others in this thread,

Sneaks, first of all I think you will be fine, taking into account your postings on this forum, I think you will be one of the best prepared and probably one of the most gifted in this PhD process.

If you think you need to prepare more, then I would focus on the viva and say that should be your main priority over the next four days. Thus make sure that every day there is a fixed short episode for preparation, say one or two hours. Focus on "Bilbo's five".

The other things, like your article, although related, should not be the main priority and probably can wait for a few days (unless a deadline). Also the teaching can be low key, no need to do extensive preparation. If at all running out of time, perhaps say you are ill for a day. In one day you can do more than enough preparation.

Head up, you will pass!

Hi Catalin,

congratulations, great perforrmance, very happy for you!

Hi Sneaks,

I do not think one needs extra notes. I went there without anything and I was glad that I did. The examiners had my thesis and hardly looked into it. I was a bit nervous, and if I would have had all kind of paper with me and had to try and look for an answer, it would only have looked very unprofessional, especially if one is a bit shaky.

You have written the thesis and will know it better than anyone else, the examiners are not there to trick you out, more to assure that you did the work. I think you can do it just with (or without) the thesis. Good luck!

Hi Ady,

wow, fantastic! Well done!

Can I thank you as well for all your postings and help.

Rick

Hi Larry,

I think the key is to have a pleasant conversation, making sure that both parties have the idea that they can work with each other. That means that the content of the conversation may not be that relevant, you should assess more whether there a match of personalities, interests, work patterns etc. I think there is nothing worse than working with someone you really do not like, whatever the status or influence of that person.

Hi Jabu,

how about doing the one in Manchester?

Reading your story that may be the best option, I mean you indicate that you are doing your MBA down there already, I presume you work down there as well and you indicate that it a good school for professionals like you.

Why would you make life difficult and make a lot of changes (move house? move job? move university?) if that is not required?

Hi Ady,

I have not read all the postings on this thread, so perhaps it has been mentioned already, yet "Bilbo" has put quite a lot of useful advice as viva preparation on here. May be you can find his / her remarks in previous threads.

One of the issues was to summarise each page of your thesis in a few sentences only. I think Bilbo also mentioned the importance of what does your thesis contribute to science, awareness of problem areas of the thesis, what you have learned during the PHD process, what would you do differently if you would do it again and to bring in a list of typos you have found. Bilbo mentioned the book from Tinkler and Jackson.

Good luck

Hi Delta,

just saw this, congratulations!! Well done!! I am very happy for you!

First celebrate, then think about the minor details!

Hi Milo,

just saw your posting, so we are not that rare!

Hi MissPiggy, Pjlu,

I am an INFJ as well. It does not come as a surprise really. Although I find it difficult to speak in public and in big circles, I not think it is something negative. The test says someting about preferences, not ability, although you are often good in the things you like doing.

I think it may be useful to know the personality traits of people with whom you are working, this may make it easier to understand the rationale regarding their behaviour and the decisions that they make.

Can one change it personality profile?