Not a problem have PM'd you back!

Sorry- but most of this information is incorrect. There are more statistical tests than just 'comparing groups' i.e. ANOVA/Mann-Whitney/T-tests...

The most important thing with getting the right statical test is to check your assumptions. So, ANOVA/t-test's assume that the data form a normal distribution - a bell curve- (not a poisson curve) and that the group standard deviations are equal.

Mann-Whitney U test can be used on non-normal data but still assumes that the group variances are equal and that the distributions between groups look the same.

You may also want to create a model for your data to look at risk factors, or predict outcomes, look at relationships....etc

Anways, I could go on forever explaining the various statistical methods of analysis! If the OP would like to PM me with a description of their data and their hypotheses i.e. what they want to prove/disprove from the data, I can recommend methods of analysis etc.

Billys

P.S. I am a second year PhD student studying statistics, I have an undergrad in stats and do a lot of consultancy work so do know quite a bit about this!

Hello just thought I would update you on the upgrade situation- I passed!! (up) Wayhey! Don't know what I was worried about now! There are a few bits and pieces to work on but overall it was a success. My presnentation went really well, I wasn't nervous at all!! Thanks for all the comments too- they really helped!

Hey! Well...the dreaded upgrade presentation is upon me, I am giving my presentation to my department tomorrow and then my upgrade viva will be after it.

Am not majorly worried about it now, my supervisor said that he was sure that I would pass. Just wondering if anyone has any last minute tips? I am practicing my presentation loads, but not sure what I can do to prepare for the upgrade viva and any questions I may have from my department about my presentation!

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Okay....but you need more hats and better hair styles...

Ohhhh....avatars!! Can we create our own!?

Is it online yet?!?

Congratulations- I can only imagine how elated you feel!! Well done, you should go and have a celebrate after all your hard work!

Hi guys just to give you a quick update. Thanks for all your kind words.

Have handed my upgrade report in! I got some last minute comments from the supervisors, but didn't make many changes to the draft i handed them on Monday. I am happy its done but a bit dissapointed that it wasn't too a better standard.

Poster competition was today also and my poster went down very well! So am chuffed with that and it has given me enough confidence to make sure that my upgrade presentation is going to be the best!

Bill xx

Do you not think that asking this question on a PhD forum we might be slightly biased?

Thanks- I was getting worried with 49 views and no replies! I'm glad its not just me that thinks they are lazy- I usually have to wait ages to get feeback or it will be refused unless it is a final version, when I will then be told it is a pile of s**te. I am not sure what is going to happen, only feel silly that I may have put my upgrade in jepordy.

Hi guys, haven't been on the PGF for a while-hope everyone is keeping well?



I suppose the title says it all really. My upgrade is next Wedneday and I am dreading it big time!! In about mid-September my primary supervisor wanted me to take the lead on a paper he wanted to send to a journal. However we had a deadline at the beginning of October and I had to write the paper from scratch (including analyses) in three weeks!



This then gave me only 4 weeks to write my upgrade report, which has to be between 3-6,000 words. I really struggled with it and managed to get a draft to them at the end of October (I went to Venice for a few days). My primary supervisor gave me loads of helpful comments- my secondary supervisor gave no help what so ever. I then submitted another draft last Wednesday, which she refused to read as it wasn't a 'final' version!?! She said she didn't want to put her name on something she wasn't happy with.



I finally got her to agree to read it on Friday and I spent all weekend working my nuts off trying to improve this report and have hardly slept with worry. Both my supervisors are saying is that it needs ‘lots of work’, which doesn’t bode well. It is due to be given to my internal examiner on Wednesday. I still have my presentation to prepare (45 mins) and have also had to create a poster for an internal poster competition!



I just don’t know. My supervisors are making me feel like my work is not good enough to upgrade, but they are unwilling to change the date. I don’t feel like they have much confidence in me, and it really upsets me. I had a day or two when I really doubted my ability and was seriously thinking about quitting, but I realized that I do like my PhD and really want this chance to really achieve something in my life.



Sorry this is a long post. I feel so lost at the moment, and am really having a hard time of it.

Hi just wondering whats going on with the meet? Is it still going ahead and where?

billys is wondering how the hell am i going to write 6,000 words for my upgrade report in a week!?

Nooooooooooooo I have a course on the Friday during the day! Would be able to make the evening though, or the Sat is fine! Really want to come to the London meet though...will be good to meet other forum members!