Assoc Prof Dr Jamaliah Said Accounting Research Institute Faculty of Accountancy.
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Transcript of Assoc Prof Dr Jamaliah Said Accounting Research Institute Faculty of Accountancy.
Assoc Prof Dr Jamaliah SaidAccounting Research Institute
Faculty of Accountancy
Originality Substantial Independent Significant Rigorous
Viva is the method for assessment of these
How does it work? [1]
Before the viva:
Examiners sent thesis
Prepare independent preliminary reports
Come to preliminary judgement
Come to preliminary judgement
Each examiners complies lists of questions and queries they have about the thesis
How does it work? [2]
During viva: Examiners meet before and plan the
structure of viva, questions, roles, etc
Meet PhD candidate (supervisors may attend but cannot say anything)
Sometimes tell candidate their preliminary judgement at start of viva and the purpose of the viva
Ask a series of questions and listen to the answers
How does it work? [3]
At the end of the viva:
You and your supervisor will be asked to leave the room
Examiners discuss their views and come to a decision (see later)
Invite you back in and tell you their decision
Supervisor often comes in at this point
Examiners normally 2-3 1 internal, 1-2 external staff = 2 internals
Selection chosen by Department approved by Director of
Graduate School student consulted; no right
of veto
Supervisor may attend Viva
Examiners must have subject expertise be research active have experience of
supervising and examining (at least in team)
Supervisor’s blessing advised, not compulsory
Copies need 1 copy for each
examiner and 1 for supervisor if you wish
can be soft bound no loose sheets allowed
Postgraduate Studies Office in Uni House
Viva may take weeks/months ask supervisor to arrange
a mock viva think about
research rationale originality contribution to knowledge strong and weak points
An integral part of the examining process may confirm a favourable
impression of thesis may compensate for
weaknesses Allows candidate to
defend research/thesis expand and clarify
Allows examiners to assure themselves that the research is original the candidate did the work the candidate is capable of
future research unsupervised
Thesis to make an original contribution to knowledge
Thesis must contain material of a standard appropriate for publication
Thesis must comply with regulations on length, form etc
Outcome of the Viva
The five decisions examiners can make
“if the thesis fulfils the criteria…and the candidate satisfies the examiners in all other parts of the examination the examiners will report that the candidate has satisfied them…” (pass)
1
2
“if the thesis otherwise fulfils the criteria but requires minor amendments…. require the candidate to make within a certain time period…amendments specified by them…” (provisional pass with minor changes)
3
“if the thesis, though inadequate, shall seem of sufficient merit…the candidate be permitted to re-present his/her thesis in a revised form within a certain time period. The examiners may at their discretion exempt from a further oral examination, on re-presentation of his/her thesis…” (not passed - major changes)
4
“if, after completion of the examination…the examiners determine that a candidate has not reached the standard required for the award of the degree… they shall consider whether the thesis does or might…satisfy the criteria for… MPhil degree. If they so decide, the examiners shall submit a report which demonstrates either (a) how the criteria for the MPhil degree are satisfied, or (b) what action would need to be taken in order for these criteria to be satisfied.” (offered MPhil now or with revisions)
5
“The examiners may determine that the candidate has not satisfied them in the examination.” (fail)
Minor corrections and amendments usually checked by Internal Examiner when agreed
then proceed as “PhD awarded” PhD awarded
candidate takes 2 copies of thesis to be hard-bound
result approved by Director of the Graduate School on behalf of the Senate
graduation
Revise and resubmit student receives written guidance from
examiners
is entitled to continued supervision
after thesis resubmitted may be second Viva
if not, both examiners report in writing
The Viva . . . An Opportunity To discuss your work with experts To improve your arguments and
thesis To consider where to publish
– get free consultancy!
AdversarialSome examiners will challenge your views, in order to hear your argument.
DetailedSome examiners
inspect every word and phrase.
“On page 32, you say ... please explain.”
Friendly & InterestedExaminers will make you feel at ease. They will want you to explain your research.
You are most probably now the world’s expert on your thesis topic.
Argue each point with confidence.
Demonstrate your depth/breadth of knowledge.
Revision and Summaries Re-read critically Review each chapter and summarise in points Defence of research
Know limitations
Be early Be careful what you wear Bring a drink Bring a pad and pen (although don’t
expect to take many notes) Expect to be nervous but try to deal
with it positively/constructively
Check list: - List of corrections- Pen and paper- Tissues- Drink- Copy of your thesis, especially your
summary and abstract
Length of viva Natural and applied sciences (%)
Arts, humanities and social sciences (%)
Up to 1 hour 3% 27%
1-2 hours 40% 56%
2-3 hours 43% 15%
3+ hours 15% 2%
Source: Tinkler and Jackson, The Doctoral Examination Process, SPHE & Open University Press, Maidenhead: 2004, page 173
Expect to be nervous Practice your answers beforehand Don’t agree with everything they say but
don’t be arrogant Expect some corrections Make sure you are clear about important
dates
Originality What are the most original parts of the thesis? Which propositions would you say are
distinctively your own? How do you think you work takes forward or
develops the literature in this field? What are the “bottom line” conclusions of your
research? How innovative or distinctive are they?
Origins/Topics Can you tell us how you came to choose this
topic for your doctorate? Why have you defined the topic in the way you
did? What were some of the difficulties you
encountered and did they influence how the topic was framed?
Methods What are the core methods used in this thesis?
Why did you choose this approach? In an ideal world, are there different techniques you’d have liked to use?
Data What are the main sources or kinds of
evidence? Are they strong enough to sustain the conclusions you draw?
How do your findings fit with or contradict the rest of the literature in this field?
What next? What are the main implications of your research for
the rest of the field?
Listen to the question
Pause and take your time
Talk precisely and move from the general to the specific
Use appropriate rhetorical strategies: First person and the active voice
On the part of the candidate• Not answering the
questions• Taking too long to
answer• Not being fully
familiar with the thesis
• Not admitting mistakes, errors, omissions
On the part of the examiners• Not having read
the thesis completely
• Not focusing on the candidate
• Being aggressive
On the part of the independent chair• Not intervening• Not
applying/knowing about regulations
On the part of the university
• Inadequate regulations
• Inadequate hospitality
On the part of the candidate Responding to questions Acknowledging errors …
On the part of the examiners Submission of report before the viva Constructive comments and intelligent questions Advice on what to do next
On the part of the independent chair Keeping the viva going smoothly; managing the examiners
and the candidate Dealing with disagreements between examiners
On the part of the university Clear regulations Well prepared staff and resources
Aggressive defence Missing references Wrong version submitted No mention of the external examiner’(s)’ work Rambling answers Methods – misunderstanding Failure of technology Display of artefact, performance, other products Presentation Y/N? Fire
Good LUCK
&
Thank You