Surviving the Viva ! ! The role of your supervisor and examiners ! - PDF document

Outline of session ! The viva in context of a PhD Surviving the Viva ! ! The role of your supervisor and examiners ! What to expect on the day Dr Keith Morgan - Typical questions / topics Dr Sara Shinton - Possible outcomes - Common concerns answered Shinton Consulting Ltd ! Summary of good preparation context: nature of research, big picture ideas, defence But first: What is a PhD ? ! original work ! a contribution to knowledge ! displays understanding of the field ! displays the skills of critical thinking ! a period of training to be a professional researcher … problem giving instructing solving opinions others managing networking projects… collaborating Examiners are asked to assess: So why do we have a viva..? Is the thesis an original work that makes a significant contribution to knowledge in or understanding of the field ? ! Establish that you have actually done the Does the thesis contain material worthy of publication ? work and written the thesis Does the thesis demonstrate adequate knowledge of the field of study and relevant literature ? Does the thesis show the exercise of critical judgement with ! Test your ability to defend your thesis regard to both the student’s work and that of other scholars in the same general field ? ! Establish that you have a satisfactory Is the presentation and style of the thesis satisfactory: knowledge of the wider field surrounding full and adequate references your research topic coherent structure clear intentions, background, method, conclusions understandable to a scholar in the same field ? http://www.ed.ac.uk/files/atoms/files/copsupervisorsresearchstudents.pdf

Where do we start? Think big… Context – your work ! Context ! You need to know WHY your project was important / relevant at the outset… ! Contribution to field ! Originality ! …so you should be able to EXPLAIN the key ! Critical judgement and testing of ideas work that has already been done by others in ! Defending results your area… ! You need to be clear about these… ! …and how this relates to your research aim Mini Viva - Part 1 Context – your work ! With a partner – someone you do NOT know ! Then you should be able to explain what you have actually done during your research… ! Discuss for a few minutes how your research project was devised, focusing on ! …how and what this contributes to your field - problem - motivation key work of others - approach contribution the aim of ! Both of your projects must be discussed to your field your research your methods and results Mini Viva - Part 2 Originality ! With the same partner ! New work ! New interpretation ! Discuss for a few minutes what your research ! New application contributes to your field, and where it might ! New way of testing knowledge go in the future ! New connections - What would you do with 10 more years? ! Both of your projects must be discussed

Critical judgement Mini Viva - Part 3 In the thesis... ! Discuss with your partner ! Refer to the key papers ! The ways in which your work is original ! Demonstrate critical engagement ! Comparing approaches and conclusions of others ! Then ! Understanding academic lineage ! The ways in which your work is NOT original ! Recognising quality – identify value in work ! Noting potential conflicts of interest Critical judgment in viva Defending Your Results ! Why did you use this method / approach Experiences so far...? ! Be clear on its advantages and limitations ! Published papers ! Is your interpretation the only possible ! Conference contributions explanation ? ! Group meetings ! Support from literature ! Informal discussions ! Confirmation from further work ! What are the implications of your work ? ! Into groups of around 4 or 5 people... Potential mini viva part 4... What do you think... or What could be better... Final thought on ‘Big Ideas’ In your groups Where will you demonstrate … ! Reflect on your experience ! Originality ! Significance of your contribution ! Understanding of context ! What preparation did you do ? ! Knowledge of the field and critical thinking ! What questions were you asked ? ! Innovative ideas ! How was your work received ? ! Publishable outcomes ! What was the audiences’ perspective ? ! What new leads were suggested ? ... and is it obvious ?

Frequently Asked Questions What to Expect... ! What format will the viva take ? ! What should I take in with me ? ! When do I find out the outcome ? Do you have any specific concerns about the day itself ? ! Who will be there ? ! What are they there to do ? ! What if they disagree with each other ? Who and what More on the examiner’s role ! Chairperson ! Check that you wrote the thesis by tackling you ! administrative and advisory on the detail ! External Examiner ! so may check understanding of anything you wrote ! test knowledge and understanding ! ask questions designed to see if you really ! ensure thesis and candidate deserves PhD understand your own argument ! may advise on deficiencies ! see if you can justify a position which they have ! Internal Examiner a problem with ! arranges viva and contributes to decision on award ! point out problems with the thesis and give you ! also tests knowledge and understanding in the viva ! Supervisor the opportunity to think through ways to rectify ! Should not play any part them When and where... One examiner’s checklist Typical questions / topics ! Evidence collected ! Research aims clear? ! what are your main findings ? ethically? ! Literature adequately ! what is original about your research ? ! Sufficient evidence? reviewed/critiqued? ! describe your methodology and why you decided to use it ! Convinced of reliability ! Key papers included? and validity? ! can you highlight the contribution that you have made ? ! Theoretical basis sound? ! Findings assessed against ! how do your findings relate to this particular literature ? ! Conjectures consistent literature? ! why was this problem worth investigating ? with theory? ! Findings make significant ! what do you think of your thesis ? ! Appropriate methodology? contribution to the field? ! Any inconsistencies? ! Conclusions? IS THIS PERSON AN EXPERT? ! but also – anything !

Possible outcomes Typical examiners’ reports The thesis: ! PhD awarded ! contains evidence of sufficient experience in methods of ! PhD awarded, subject to corrections research; ! these could be minor editorial or more significant corrections ! demonstrates the purpose of the investigation and a critical ! checked by the internal examiner discussion of the results; ! PhD not awarded, as candidates oral defence deficient in ! represents a significant contribution to the relevant field of specified aspects learning ! further examination required ! Additional research work required in thesis Recommendations including comments on: either up to 6 months work with no further oral examination ! ! the scope, character and quality of the work submitted or work could be more substantial, up to 12 months, with second oral ! ! the performance of the candidate at the oral examination ! MPhil awarded ! for which corrections may still be required ! Degree not awarded and candidate judged to have failed Overall, whether the thesis and viva performance merits PhD During the thesis writing… ! Always remember the viva is coming ! Good preparation ! Keep a file or folder of notes and references Planning… that did not make it into your thesis ! Think of possible questions, and make a note (especially if you don’t know the answer) After thesis submission After thesis submission ! Take a short break if possible ! Read some of your external examiners output, in order to be familiar with their ! Read your thesis afresh, know it’s structure and current interests think about the BIG picture ! Remember the wider field, and also basic ! Look for any weak areas in your knowledge fundamental material ! Then look back to your folders of related notes, references and possible questions ! Continue to read the relevant key literature!

Some practical revision tips The night before ! Take breaks ! Try to relax ! Discuss problems with others ! Avoid caffeine and alcohol ! Make a list of any outstanding questions to ! Don’t start any new topics discuss with supervisor ! Skim those condensed notes ! Prepare condensed notes for night before ! Try to get a good nights sleep ! Keep ‘in touch’ with the group / department On the day When answering questions… ! Speak clearly, make eye contact ! Be smart, but comfortable ! Give straight but full answers ! Sober (!) and pleasant – first impressions ! Request clarification if a question is not count understood ! React to atmosphere and style of panel ! Perhaps challenge a question if you know it is ! Be confident, you know more than think ! based on a poor premise ! Be positive and motivated – it will come ! the debate will probably come naturally… across ! …so you can be assertive but not aggressive ! Remember the purpose of the viva… ! Don’t exaggerate or be falsely modest Afterwards Summary of preparation ! Wait for recommendation ! Practice speaking and dealing with questions ! Implement corrections (often surprisingly ! Ask people to read sections and ask questions quick to do) ! Summarise your thesis and know its structure ! Make sure the paperwork is all in place for ! Ask survivors for advice... the final submission of hardbound copies ! Understand the BIG picture of your own work – context, aims, main findings and contribution ! Celebrate ! ! Read new material as it is published