Hi Scarlett . I don't know if you have already tried this but I improved a lot when I cut out milk (to drink - I still eat dairy products). Good luck - I know it is horrible so you have my sympathy.

Hi - I don't think it is over the top and am planning to do the same although my uni doesn't want me to do official ones so I'm doing my own! Just wondered what you are going to put on them? Name, email and phone number of course but what about a description of your project and a title ("researcher"?)

Hi guys - I need your advice. I have just found out that I am pregnant! Part of me thinks "Aaaarrrgh! now I am never going to finish!" - luckily the rest of me is more optimistic! I wasn't going to tell my supervisor until at least 3 months but my output has dropped considerably since I found out (I just can't concentrate and fall asleep in the afternoons!). I don't know whether I should tell him or not? Any advice?

I think it is terrible - surely it is ethically dubious? Actually I did use material for my MA taken from an internet forum I used - BUT I was looking at linguistic details rather than what people had actually said and it was all in the public domain and anonymous. I think this is acceptable but there is a big difference between this and creating a persona and telling a load of lies. A few months ago a woman on a parenting forum I use was "outed" as a fake and admitted it. I felt pretty stupid as we had chatted loads (she had a fictional son the same age as mine). I know people say that's the nature of the internet but I'm not surprised that people get angry about it - especially on parenting forums where people often reveal things of a particularly sensitive nature.

This has been recommended to me before on this forum and I would like to give it a go but have a question for anyone who uses it for transcription. Part of my thesis is Italian and part in English - does that mean I would have to buy TWO different versions? It's not clear from the website. Also, any tips on getting the most out of it? Thanks!

Hi - far be it from me to dissuade any one from having babies but if you are already finding it difficult then I think adding a baby into the mix will make it even more so. I have a nearly 5 year old and I would love to have another baby (ideally BEFORE starting my PhD but that didn't work out!) However, I am a lot older than you and haven't really got the luxury of waiting around. Having a child and doing a Phd is definitely do-able but you also miss out on a lot. I have not attended a few conferences I wanted to because I knew childcare would be a problem - and holidays are a massive problem! I have a vast stretch of July - September ahead of me where I don't think I am going to be able to work because my son will be at home .......eek! My advice would be definitely to wait and do one thing at a time. Good luck though with whatever you decide.

Ruby - I agree with you - that's what it normally means in my book too!

It also depends on how often you expect to be at the university. (I am doing a PhD in a different country to my husband but am not based at the university). It's something you have to decide together.

I do something similar to Pamplemousse. I think "how will I feel about this when I'm 90?" and then I try to recreate the feeling now. (Of course, if it's the sort of thing that will still bother you when you're 90 then you're stuffed ;-) )

I have the same problem. I just use the most common language (English) and correct that and then go back and highlight any Italian text and change the language and then correct that. Turn off any automatic corrections though.

He, he, I'm not the one trying to fix squeaky shoes! The page works now but it was strange yesterday, honest!
I am trying to finish a proposal for a conference - today is the deadline! But here it is raining so it is easier to work.

Hi everyone - have been lurking on this thread but decided to post. I am data collecting and starting to write literature review - have still got loads of basic material to get through though as I have slightly changed direction since my first year.

Is anyone else having trouble reading this page now? I think it is Sneaks's message with all the ........
I can't see the end of each line and can't scroll either. :-(

Thanks! Very helpful!

Sorry - I know I should know this but I don't!

1) I have a book title which starts with a numer (60). Everywhere I look this is written as a number not "Sixty" - do I write it as a number in the bibliography?

2) I'm still confused about what year's date goes with a book. Is it the latest edition's year? Or the original year + 3 ed or whatever? Do reprints count?

Thanks for any help and sorry for being dim. :$

I think a lot depends on what you have already written. My supervisor has had me writing from day one and hopefully some of that material will actually go into my dissertation. If you really are starting from scratch with the writing then it could easily take a year I should think but it sounds as if you are already on the way.