So... (an open question to all graduate students/former graduate students)

[kirideth]

What do you do if you spend an extended period of time working on your thesis, and right near the end come to the conclusion that it can't be done? I mean, the work would still be there and still be significant, but the overall conclusion would be that it's a failed idea, at least with this specific approach.

Because right now, I'm absolutely terrified that'll happen to me.

Comments

[kirideth.livejournal.com]

Karl's right. It's up to my committee, ultimately. And while it sounds plausible to present a failed idea in a positive way, I'm worried that due to the results-driven nature of engineering that it might not be enough. Though perhaps writing the paper detailing what it *can* do, even if it doesn't do what I thought it would, could possibly be used as a stepping stone for someone else to use the ideas in a way I hadn't thought of. I mean... bipolar junction transistors were discovered through a failed attempt to invent MOSFETs.

As for my advisor, he's been on emergency leave for the past year, and no one knows when or if he's coming back. (So I'm currently working with the department head, who's very busy, and it's a bit of a frustrating and suspenseful experience.)