Hi I need some advice regarding what type of analysis I should do, maybe mixed method, using thematic analysis with quantitative analysis. I am a bit lost as it is quite confusing. In my study I have to investigate the marketing strategies adopted by the international fast food entrants in India and what difficulties they […]
Continue reading Feeling confused with mixed methods and survey analysis
So, I got my Viva in September and I was wondering from where should I start. I want to be thorough with my preparation and would love it, if those who have given viva can share their experiences. Like, how did you prepare? what all did your examiners ask? Where there any corrections to be […]
Continue reading How do I defend my PhD?
Don’t be lazy- That’s my only advice. We all have so much time before the actual viva, that we don’t start preparing for it until it’s literally onto our heads. I regret not preparing well and then made a fuss about it in the end. When the moment arrived, my palms were sweaty, I was nervous like hell, the five examiners were pretty intimidating. God! It was HORRIBLE. Whereas, 3 of the examiners were onto me, probing my brain and giving me a hard time, 2 of them were just sitting and writing, analysing, I guess they were bored.
You need to prepare real well, study your work thoroughly and give it some time to revise. Hope you do well! Good luck in advance!
My viva was great and the only reason for it is that I was well prepared. Being ‘know it all’ can boost your confidence to a high level and get you rid of those nerves.
I started preparing for it as soon as my date was out. First I made notes, a lot of them, about every chapter. I pointed out every possible questions that could be asked and prepare the answers. Apart from that, I kept track of all the ‘discoveries’ being made in my research area. Maybe I am too big of a book worm but it was all worth it.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. What I gather from you is that, anything can happen and I should thoroughly prepare for it. Though I have a doubt, do they ask anything outside of your research?
Hey, everyone will tell you what to do and how to prepare for why. But I think that contemplating on what not to do is equally important. Try this reverse method.
I found this blog on what shouldn’t be done in a viva:
http://www.statisticsconsultation.com/blog/ensure-you-dont-do-these-things-in-your-phd-viva/
Yes, they can ask you outside of your research findings but those questions will be non-academic! One way to impress your examiners is to appear confident and listen to their complete question before presenting your reply.
Thanks for the tips. I am studying daily for at least two hours for my viva. I have started making notes and that’s quite a good way to go about it. So, for those who are expecting their viva, can also use this approach for their preparation.
Hey, I was going through this query and I feel like giving my input. I believe that apart from all the tips, you need to prepare for your presentation as well. Relevant and enough slides are an integral part of that, to make sure that everything happens within the time. You can work on that too.
Hey all, I have been visiting this site quite often but I have never posted anything. I just wanted to share my concerns with someone, so here I am. Spoiler alert: this is a depressing post. I am a PhD student in 2nd year of research and I think I am hit by the ‘second […]
Continue reading Hit by PhD Blues
Well, it’s nothing new if you are feeling ‘second year blues’. The only advice I can come up with is Attend Workshops, Seminar or Conferences! Maybe if you meet other researchers and interact with them, you will feel motivated! We all experience isolation and lack of motivation in this world of academic research. So, you are not alone.
Don’t worry, it’ll all come out in the wash!
I can totally relate with that, although I started feeling demotivated in the first year itself. The thing is that our field is quite hectic, with lots of tensions. It’s full of rejections and complications and I got so worried that I was unable to work. At that point I didn’t know that the stress of work is the reason behind my ‘blues’. I didn’t work, I didn’t go out much, I was a lazy person and just fooled around, you know? My supervisor kept asking for updates and I always had some reasons to explain and ignore. This lack of determination made everything worse, the work got piled on and I started stressing out more. Even after that, I couldn’t concentrate. Things got really shitty, my supervisor called me up and literally threatened me that he’d get me out of the program! And as I didn’t work at all, I had no idea how to get on with my research, how to start. I had made my supervisor so angry that there was no point in asking for his help. In desperation, I started looking for an agency that would do my work. I got in contact with a guy named Brijesh and his company called Dolly Projects who took 30 thousand rupees from me to develop an algorithm and implement it on Matlab. Initially, it was a relief, as the work was off my back. But then, it turns out that the guy is as stupid as anybody can get. We came up with an algorithm together, all he had to do was write the code and implement and he couldn’t do that properly. Well, he has done something, but it’s not correct. Every time, I run the code, I get different results and simulations. I am pretty much stuck again, all the money wasted, he wouldn’t refund it. Anyway, I am starting to do it myself now, be it wrong, at least I have shown something to my supervisor.
Conclusion: Only you can help yourself!
That’s one hell of a story Maya, and not with a pleasant ending. I don’t want to go through that. Sure, I thought about hiring someone too but that’s not ethical, is it?
I don’t care if it’s ethical or not, as long as it keeps the tension at bay. It’s all about perspective. Any ways, I am not suggesting that you should do the same.
Hello everyone. This is the first time I am posting anything. The reason for this initiation is my exhausting, time consuming PhD and my swollen belly! So, I started my PhD in chemical science 3-4 years ago and I think I’ll complete it the next year, with the way things are going. I didn’t really […]
Continue reading Advice on write-up and pregnancy!
Hi Diana, the first thing I’d like to say is, DITTO! I am 5 months pregnant and I am writing up too. I can totally relate with your situation, though it’s a bit different from mine. For me, being pregnant was an obsession and I thought that the PhD time will be perfect as you don’t have to go daily for work (it’s less tiring than a job). I can have a baby, take care of it, and after few years look for a job.
I didn’t imagine the ‘exhaustion’ to be so ‘exhausting’ though. And the hormones, God, I feel like I am 18. I am pissed off on everything, crying on small things and taking a lot more tension that I need to take. I am gonna advice you (what I advise myself) that take deep breaths, eat chocolate cookies and relax. You won’t be able to concentrate on writing, until and unless your mind is at peace. And how can you fast-forward the whole process, is by taking help from a friend. I made my husband write the second chapter for me (in exchange of cooking breakfast for him, daily). Maybe you can get someone to write a portion of your thesis?
Hello Jillian, Thanks for replying. I am so glad that there is someone who can understand my situation.
I don’t think I can trust anyone with my thesis-writing. My friends do offer their help but they aren’t experts in my subject. Moreover, only I know my research, so how can anyone else write up for me?
I do all the relaxing things, and recently I have started writing on the kitchen counter, which seems to work. Good thing though, that my lab work is over, thank the gods for that!
My guide is a big FLIRT! There is no decent way to put it, but he is a complete pervert, scanning me from head to toe every time I seek his guidance! I am doing my master’s in MBA and I am currently in first year. The problem is that the old bloke is way […]
Continue reading What to do when your mentor ‘miss-treats’ you?
I am so sorry to hear this! I am really disgusted with the way he’s treating you. Stop thinking about quitting, you are not at fault! And your right, no legal action can be taken but something needs to be done. The administration won’t listen to you but you can take help from your friends? Networking sites? Your family?
Hey EdenBrockman, I am sorry for the situation you are in but you need to be strong. My supervisor wasn’t a flirt but yeah, he was rude and overbearing. The best way to treat men like them is to show them there place! You said that your guide has friends in the administration, but I am sure that not all are on his side? Have you tried talking to the principal? If you don’t want any big drama then just go to the principal, tell your problem and simply switch your guide. That is the most easy way out!
I haven’t told about this to anyone. I don’t live with my family and don’t want to bother them. No, I haven’t talked to the principal and I am afraid in doing so, what if it back fires again? I’ll lose all my marks. And even if I am able to get through the principal, what if my next guide is even worse? Or a friend of the previous one?
You need to take a step girl. As you are already thinking about quitting, why not take a chance? If it won’t work, you can quit but what if it works?
Danielle Veronneau 6:18 am on April 6, 2016 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Have you thought about other strategies like case studies and observations? If you are thinking about interviews and generating themes, are you allowed to video or record participants and generate transcripts? And what are you aiming at, I mean what all do you want to investigate in the marketing strategies? Have you identified your research questions?
Preeti Nirman 12:22 pm on April 8, 2016 Permalink | Log in to Reply
@Danielle: You almost scared me with so many questions. No, I haven’t thought about case studies and observation method, I strongly believe that interviews and survey are the best options. I am planning to generate transcripts and conduct interviews with the managers of McDonalds, Dominos and KFC. I want to investigate the most popular and effective marketing strategy that they use (the reason behind their popularity). Also I want to find their shortcomings and how they can improve. My research questions are:
For what reasons do Indian consumers prefer foreign fast foods entrants over Indian restaurants?
What are the marketing strategies adopted by foreign fast food entrants?
How do the marketing strategies adopted by foreign fast food entrants differ from the marketing strategies adopted by the Indian marketers?
What are the challenges encountered by the international fast food companies learn about Indian belief and different cultural values?
Danielle Veronneau 11:04 am on April 18, 2016 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hey, sorry for scaring you. Questionnaires are best useful when you have to collect large amount of information. The data collected from then is easily quantified and analyzed more scientifically. However, they are not that could for validity and reliability as you don’t know what the respondents have interpreted from your questions and if they are honest about their answers or not. On the other hand, interviews are useful for in-depth research. You can get more detailed information about your respondent’s perceptions and then you can generate themes from them. Both the methods will be good for your research but time-consuming. The data will be large so its analysis will also require more time and efforts. Also, you have to decide on the type of interviews and questionnaires.
Preeti Nirman 10:06 am on May 6, 2016 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thanks for that. I am settling for conducting structured interviews with the employees and quantitative questionnaire with the customers. I can then generate themes from the interview transcripts and do descriptive statistics on the data collected from the questionnaires. At least that is what I am planning. My next doubt is what sample should I choose?
Danielle Veronneau 10:02 am on May 17, 2016 Permalink | Log in to Reply
What is your population? Determine that first. Then using a sample size formula, calculate your sample on the basis of population and confidence interval. There a lot of calculators available online, you can refer them or look for a formula.
Preeti Nirman 5:08 am on May 25, 2016 Permalink | Log in to Reply
How to you settle for the population? I mean, there are so many people who visit the restaurant, how am I supposed to calculate that? Also, how to estimate the confidence interval?
Laura Urner 12:26 pm on June 1, 2016 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Population is simply the people who you need to survey or target. For example, you want to find out the perception of people regarding the safety in airliners. For that, your population would be those who travel in airplanes. You can get the statistics from the report of airline industry in a particular region. Say the population is 1000 people who travel via planes. Now as far as confidence interval is concerned, I don’t know what that is, but I took it as 95% as that’s the general way. So, I can’t help in that respect. However, once you understand your confidence interval, you can use this formula for calculating the sample size:
n=(Z^2*p*q)/e^2
Where, n is the sample size, Z is the value for confidence level (1.96 for 95% confidence interval), p is percentage for picking a choice (usually 0.5), q is p-1, e is the desired level of precision (I took it as 0.4).