Preparing for your Viva at UWA...Practise your viva voce skills by staging a mock viva voce with...

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Research Skills Workshops for Graduate Research Students Science/Applied Science Stream Preparing for your Viva at UWA Presenter: Dr Krystyna Haq [email protected] Graduate Education Officer http://www.postgraduate.uwa.edu.au

Transcript of Preparing for your Viva at UWA...Practise your viva voce skills by staging a mock viva voce with...

Page 1: Preparing for your Viva at UWA...Practise your viva voce skills by staging a mock viva voce with supervisors or other academics Go online to see what those who have been through the

Research Skills Workshops for Graduate Research Students

Science/Applied Science Stream

Preparing for your Viva at UWA

Presenter: Dr Krystyna Haq

[email protected]

Graduate Education Officer

http://www.postgraduate.uwa.edu.au

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Objectives:

o To outline the rules, processes and assessment criteria for thesis

examination that includes a Viva

o To outline strategies for preparing academically (topic and examiners)

o To practice strategies for maximising confidence using body, voice and

dress

Timetable

3.00 – 3.30

Overview of the thesis examination process,

including selection of examiners

3.30 – 4.00

Strategies for preparing academically

4.00 – 4.15

Tea/Coffee break

4.15 – 4.45

Strategies for exuding confidence – theory and

practice

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Overview of the examination process for a thesis including a viva voce

http://www.postgraduate.uwa.edu.au/staff/supervisors/oralcomponent

1) Thesis is written and once approved by the Coordinating Supervisor and Graduate Research Coordinator (GRC) as fit for examination, it is submitted to the GRS, who manage the examination process. http://www.postgraduate.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/22692/ThesisSubmissionForm

_Jan_2020.pdf

2) Two external examiners and one reserve examiner are nominated by Coordinating Supervisor for approval by the Chair of the Board of the GRS. http://www.postgraduate.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/23349/Nomination_of_Examin

ers_Form.pdf

GRS sends the thesis to the approved examiners, and requests their written reports within 6 weeks.

3) External examiners complete the Examiners Report form at

www.postgraduate.uwa.edu.au/staff/examiners , and write a report on the thesis. The examiners’ report forms and written reports are returned to the GRS for classification by the Board of the GRS.

4) The Board of the GRS classify the thesis as:

- Proceed to viva. The examiners’ reports are then circulated to the candidate, supervisors and the examiners. Candidates should receive written reports at least two weeks prior to the intended date of the viva.

OR - Revise and resubmit prior to viva. The examiner’s reports are circulated to

the candidate, supervisors and GRC who oversee the required revisions, which must be made within 12 months. The candidate must write a report detailing the changes made, and submit this report and the revised thesis for re-examination. The examiners will then recommend that the thesis:

o Proceed to viva; or o Be awarded a Master; or o Fail

5) The GRS organises the viva: arranging the attendance of both examiners (in

person or remotely), booking a suitable venue and selecting a Chair of the viva panel. The Chair will be senior UWA academic from a cognate discipline, who sets the agenda for the discussion, moderates the discussion and assists the examiners in writing the examination report.

6) Immediately after the viva the Panel will recommend either o Pass without corrections or correction of minor typographical errors o Pass with revisions as detailed in the examination report o Refer back to the Board of the GRS with a recommendation of

Resubmission, Award of a Master or Fail (a clear justification for this recommendation is required).

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Where the examiners cannot agree on the outcome of a viva, all reports will be forwarded to the Board of the GRS for a decision.

In summary, your written thesis is the foundation for discussions during the viva. Your written thesis presents the work for evaluation, while the viva is a deeper exploration of you as a researcher and a member of your research community.

Strategies for preparing academically

The formal part of the viva normally lasts between 1-2 hours, which includes the candidate’s oral summary of the thesis only (around 10 minutes without Power Point presentation) and questions and discussion with the examiners. Prior to this the Chair will meet privately with the examiners, and after the formal part of the viva, time is allowed for the examiners to agree a final recommendation and for the Chair to document their conclusions and complete all paperwork while the candidate waits outside the viva room.

http://www.postgraduate.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/3429712/VivaReport_SEP2019.pdf

DOCTORAL VIVA VOCE REPORT

Please rate the candidates performance at the viva The candidate demonstrated detailed knowledge of the thesis and this it is his/her own work

Well below expectations

Below expectations

Meets expectations

Above expectations

Exceeds expectations

The candidate was confident in defending the direction, methodology and conclusions of the work

Well below expectations

Below expectations

Meets expectations

Above expectations

Exceeds expectations

The candidate demonstrated awareness of where his/her original works sits in relation to the broader context of the discipline

Well below expectations

Below expectations

Meets expectations

Above expectations

Exceeds expectations

The candidate demonstrated a substantive and independent contribution to the discipline

Well below expectations

Below expectations

Meets expectations

Above expectations

Exceeds expectations

Summary of the candidate’s performance at the viva (Summarise the candidate’s performance in the viva and in particular his/her response to the issues raised in the examiners’ reports).

Please provide details of revisions required.

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Preparation advice http://www.postgraduate.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/3369270/VivaCandidates_SEP2019.pdf After thesis submission, relax for a few weeks then come back and get to know your thesis again. Make a note of any mistakes or typos for correction in the final version of the thesis. Read the viva voce advice on the GRS website and ensure you understand the process. Look through the latest literature in your field to understand if there have been any new major developments since thesis submission. As well as the detail of your thesis, understand the big picture. Practise being able to say in a few sentences what the big-ticket items in the thesis are and where the research could go forward. Consider how to respond to questions and issues raised by the examiners in their report. Practise your viva voce skills by staging a ‘mock’ viva voce with supervisors or other academics Go online to see what those who have been through the experience say. Common practise questions General

》Why did you decide on this particular research question?

》What have you found the most interesting aspect of your research?

》How did your thinking about this topic develop as you went through this research process?

》Were there any surprises along the way?

》How did doing this research change you as a researcher?

》In five years, which part of your work do you think will be most cited and why? Research

》You refer to X as a key influence on your research. Can you summarise the particular relevance of their work?

》What developments have there been in this field since you began your doctorate? How have these changed the research context in which you are working?

》You make only passing reference to the field of X. Why do you think that field is less relevant than the others you have given more space to?

》You do not say much about the theory X in your thesis. Can you explain why you have not focused more on this theory?

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Methods

》How well did the study design work in practise?

》Did you have any problems with the data collection process?

》You used an existing research method and developed it further. Can you tell us why this further development was needed?

》What were the main ethical issues of conducting this research?

》How did you establish the limits around the scope of your data collection? Analysis and findings

》Can you talk us through your methods of analysis and explain the decisions made along the way?

》Did you encounter any problems with applying this method of analysis?

》Do you think the data you collected were the most appropriate to answer your research question or are there any other data you would have liked to have collected?

》Can you describe your main findings in a few sentences? Discussion

》If you were starting your research again now, would you make any changes?

》You interpret these findings as X. Do you think there could be an argument for interpreting them as Y instead?

》You said X in your thesis. Can you expand on X?

》In what way do you consider your thesis to be original?

》What are the empirical, practical, and theoretical implications of your findings?

》How would you hope your research could be followed up and taken further?

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Preparing for tricky questions: Be confident but not dogmatic “On the day a robust performance is required but be careful to avoid dogmatism. Examiners are impressed by thoughtful, reflective candidates who give consideration to constructive criticism and are able to modify their arguments accordingly” (Burnham 1994, p. 33. J. Grad Education Vol 1)

a) addressing weaknesses of the study Ref: Murray, R. (2006) How to Write a Thesis p. 262-281 “You must admit the weaknesses of your study…It will not look good if you appear not to know the difference between the strong and weak parts of your research or thesis” (Murray, 2006, p. 262). Use a “define-defend” strategy when addressing real or perceived weaknesses of your study i.e. “What I did was….That was because… I did not do ….because…”

b) how to say “I don’t know”

“…some examiners see it as their job to probe your knowledge to its limit.” (Murray, 2006, p. 262) They are looking for your willingness to think and to see how you draw on the knowledge you have to make an educated guess. “I’m not sure, but I think it might…” “I did not focus on that area in my study, but I wonder if…” “If I were to speculate…”

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Reflective writing and discussion: How can I manage my own PhD experience so I am well prepared to present my research at a viva voce?

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Strategies for exuding confidence “Surviving the viva depends fundamentally on preparation.” (Burnham, 1994:33) Ref: Murray, R. (2006) How to Write a Thesis Preparation and performance

One month before Re-read your thesis. Correct typos and other minor errors. Read recent literature. Draft the oral summary of your thesis, making sure the strengths and highlights are discussed. Think of possible questions and rehearse answers.

Two weeks before Read examiners written reports carefully and prepare answers to their questions. Use post-it-notes to highlight the sections of your thesis that you plan to discuss or elaborate on. Revise and practise the oral summary of your whole thesis. Use the past tense to make YOUR claim to the work clear.

One week before Practice oral summaries of your overall thesis, your methodology, your understanding of the literature, your findings and their limitations, the significance of your research and future directions for the topic. Practice oral debate. Practice answering tricky questions using a “define-defend” strategy and practice making educated guesses. Get your “viva kit” ready – e.g. copy of your thesis annotated with post-it notes, paper and pens for note-taking during the viva, water and anything else you need to keep you comfortable and confident. Decide what to wear and get it ready. “what dress will make me look professional in my field?” Find the venue and decide where you will wait just before the viva. Visualise a calm and confident entry to the viva. Relax, exercise, eat and sleep well.

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One day before Eat and sleep well Spend time with positive supportive people Focus on the strengths of your work and writing Visualise yourself as calm and confident

On the day Use your best getting up routine Eat a real breakfast or take food with you Check you have your “viva kit” Prepare to be at your “waiting place” in good time

30 minutes before

Relax and ground your body (posture, weight even on both feet, stamp your feet, relax your face, “pleasure smell” breathing). Drink water and go to the toilet if necessary. Think positive – your examiners have already assessed your research work as being worthy. Now it’s your opportunity to showcase yourself as the researcher.

During the viva “Pleasure smell” breathing, think “slow down”. Make eye contact with examiners and greet them as senior professional colleagues. Get comfortably seated with all your resources at hand. Use your thesis as the basis for all answers. Speak about your research using the past tense. Connect your answers to specific pages. Make sure your mention the highlights of your research. Choose 2 or 3 names and dates from the literature and find a way to link them to your work. Write down questions. Write notes for answers. Nod, smile, refer to your notes. Ask for clarification if you’re unsure of what’s been asked Ask for exact definitions of corrections or revisions

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Further reading: Murray, R. (2006) How to write a thesis Open University Press. Chapter 10

p.254-281 Trafford, V. and Leshem, S. (2002) Starting at the end to undertake doctoral

research: predictable questions as stepping stones. Higher Education Review, 34, 1, p.31-49