Diary of an MW Student – part 43

How long does it take to make a 10-minute phone call? In my case, it’s currently averaging at around 45 minutes. Gathering the data for the first phase of my dissertation research involves a few simple questions over the telephone – that’s the 10 minutes bit. With 25 different companies to speak to, it’s only four hours work on paper. But off paper, it’s more like 18 hours and counting.

Most of that time is spent pursuing my participants. The majority of them have been angelically helpful, quick to respond by email and co-operative with my requests. The frustration comes...