No Quota, into the Open

Well, I heard today that I didn't get an ESRC Quota award, but I am being put forward for the Open competition. I am disappointed of course, but at least there's still a chance (albeit about an 18 per cent one). And even if I don't get any ESRC funding, I'm going to go ahead with the PhD anyway - to hell with it!

Waiting to hear about my funding

I'm absolutely on tenterhooks today as I may hear something about my PhD funding application. After so many months of work on the proposal, I just need some news now!

Qual and Quant assessments done!

The qualitative assessment on interviewing in done and handed in, and I've just finished the second Quant assessment and I'll hand it in soon. What a relief! I never want to do any statistics again! Actually, it was okay doing some stats, and all it did was reinforce my view about quant methods i.e. how little they can really tell us about the social world. If you want to understand the world, you need to talk to people!

Anyway, now I am on tenterhooks for hearing about my PhD funding application... watch this space.

Doing interviews

This week I did two interviews for my qualitative methods course. They went fine, my new digital dictaphone worked very well, and I have now transribed them (which took hours). Now I have to think about ways to analyse the data and do the 5000 word assessment. And do the second quantitative assessment too... By 20 April...

DPhil funding application submitted!

Well, it's gone. The application for funding for my DPhil. The ESRC form, plus the 2 page proposal, plus the two references, have all gone off. As far as I know, it goes to a meeting at the end of March and so I suppose I may hear something at that point. Can't believe it's gone off now after so many, many months of working on it. There's nothing more I can do now except wait and hope!