DPhil place confirmed

Well, I got the letter today formally offering me a place on the DPhil in Contemporary European Studies at Sussex. Pleased of course, just need the funding now! Apparently my referees have done their bit now, and the research outline is nearly there (I think), so things are moving on nicely.

SPSS etc.

Well, I've been playing with SPSS - the software widely used for stats in the social sciences. It's pretty easy to use, like a glorified Excel really. So I feel happier about the practical workshops and test we are going to have using it.

As for the qualitative methods course, it seems like the assessment for that might be harder. I think we have to evaluate the use of a method, but that we can't consider one that is also going to be part of the final dissertation. It seems daft not to be able to do that, seeing as the MSc is meant to be able preparing for doctoral research. Ah well, I'm sure it will all become clear in time!

MSC second term

Well, I've just downloaded the course outlines for the MSc courses for term 2 which starts next week. Qualitative and Quantitative Methods. The qual stuff looks okay, albeit heavily anthropology based again, but the quant stuff looks a bit hard going. It's been a long time since I did any stats (Maths A Level about 15 years ago), and this course has an exam component too... eek.