PhD Experience

Conference 2011
Managing the research process and overcoming difficulties and
barriers

Stephanie King

Introduction
BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy

MSc (by research) Clinical Biomechanics

PhD Musculoskeletal Biomechanics

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Where it all began..

BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy (UCLan)

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My motivation..
BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy (UCLan)
Dissertation
The effect of cryotherapy on postural control

Equipment
Motion Capture
Force Plates
Software and data analysis

Research Process
Developing methodology
Working in a team
Data analysis
Critical thinking

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Getting started.....
MSc (by research) in Clinical Biomechanics
The effect of a 3-month supervised exercise programme on the gait and balance of
participants with peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication.

Initial Challenges:
Biomechanics
Peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication
Self motivation
New equipment
Time management

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Overcoming these problems.....

Time management
Sacrifices
Reward motivation

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How?.....

Check-lists
Deadlines
Goals

QTM

Task

Completed

Data collection
Check
AIM model
Label in QTM
Cut files

Visual3
D
Export to C3D
Check C3D files
Fix in QTM if
necessary
Load Steph Model
Height/Mass
Pipeline
Define events
Unassign force
data
Gait template
Check graphs
Export to text file
Negate relevant
Excel
data
Highlight columns
Link to average
files
Graph and filter
anomolies
Peak values

SPSS format

d
d
d
d

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Impact....
Task

Complete
d

Update peak values

Analysing data

Generate graphs
Fix any problems from graphs
Generate tables

Writing discussion

Put data into SPSS format

Run SPSS
Save SigDiffs separately

Bringing it all together

Plan Discussion
Ensure Lit review is completed fully
Ensure Methods is completed fully
Write Introduction
Collect last data
Analyse
Input data into tables and graphs
Format all tables and graphs correctly
Put results section together

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Future work....
PhD
Increased workload
Graduate teaching assistant
New equipment

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Conclusions....
What works for me:
Checklists for specific tasks
To-do lists and prioritise them
Rewards
Enjoying time off!

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Stephanie King
S.L.King@2008.hull.ac.uk
+44 (0)1482 463859
Don Building Room 105
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