An end in sight Surviving the Viva!

Rhona O’Connell

Viva voceOral examination

Defence of a theses

Reasons why PhD viva is required

To check whether it is your own work

To check your understanding of the work

To check whether it is worthy of a PhD

Other issuesDefend the thesis!

Locate study in broader context

Opportunity to clarify unclear or weak areas

Ability to reflect critically on the work

And alsoUnderstanding

that you're ready to become an independent researcher

Relationship to other workthat you have a command of your subject-area

Originality – what is ‘new’ about this work

Best time . . .?Submission of our work

No more to be done

Time on your hands

Other peoples’ comments . . .?

Preparation for viva

Where to start . . .

PreparationRead and re read – take notes

Anticipate the questions you'll be askedgeneric and specific

Be familiar with the literature used and some you haven’t!

Who are the examiners? what is their interests?

Have confidence in your work and your ability to defend it

Know your thesis . . .Familiarity with the literature and

debates about the topicPrepare to justify and defend

decisions madeHighlight the strengths and

implications of the studyConsider what could be done

differently Consider the implications of this

study for further work or for ‘practice’

ConsiderAny new literature (or any missed!)

Any publications prior to completion are helpful

Programme of further study?

Reflect on existing skillsConfidence at oral presentationsWhat are your strengths when discussing our

work?What are your weaknesses?Have you been asked ‘difficult’ questions

about your work?Have you explained your work well to others?Have you had feedback on your

performance?How do you handle criticism?How do you handle pressure?

On the dayHave breakfast . . .

Know where to go and arrive early

Bring a copy of thesis – write all over it/ ‘post-it’ notes /triggers

Prepare to summarise your study

Know who will be present . . .Internal + external examiner

Supervisor present Someone on ‘your side’?Take notes, provide feedback, provide

supportOr not . . .

Independent chair/university official

Duration . . .

Tips Relax and enjoy it, if possible! Listen carefully to the questions and take your

time answering them. Provide enough information as relevant and avoid

going off at a tangent. Handling difficult questions:

If you don't understand, ask for clarification.. Treat vague questions as opportunity to tell the

examiners what you think might be of interest If you really can't answer a question:

Be honest and say you don’t know If it's about literature you haven't come across, thank the

examiner and ask for a reference.

ExaminersWill be prepared and will have read your

work in detail

Examiners will usually agree in advance which areas they will focus on

Be aware of their research interests and previous publications

Various approaches to questioning

Sequential approachFrom literature review through to discussion

Thematic approachBroad areas to more specific

Page by page approach Systematically through each page or section

Opening question???

Summary of study??

Why this topic selected??

Should demonstrate interest and familiarity with your work

Prepare for the expected . . . Summarise the various areas addressed in

this thesis

What are the interesting components of this work?

Who will be interested in this study?

Did your study turn out as expected?

How will this area of research develop over the next few years and do you see that you will have a role in this?

Also expectedWhy is this subject important?

Who else thinks it is important?

Why has this study not been done before?

What is your contribution to this area of research?

Who will be interested in your findings?

Anticipate questionsLiterature reviewedMethodology

Ontological and epistemological questions?Methods – decisions madeFindings

Potential pitfalls – alternative results possible?Reliability/validity or rigour/ trustworthiness of

dataDiscussion

What is new, interesting, exciting about this study?

Typical Viva QuestionsWhat is the study aboutKey findingsChallenges in undertaking this workImportance of this workWhat is exciting or newAny omissions – what might you do

differentlyLimitationsRecommendations (key)DisseminationImplications for further research

What about the unexpected?What can trip you up?

When you are told that it is over. . .Reprieve from questioning

Relief

Awaiting judgement . . .

Possible resultsPhD awarded

Awarded with minor revisions

Referral - major revisions required

No award or recommendation for lower degree (MPhil)

Post vivaVarious experiences

Relief FrustrationExhaustion DelightedAnti-climax . . .

Are there corrections / changes to be made . . .

Follow on work to graduation Procedures . . .

Timelines . . .

Revisions . . .

AppealsAll Universities have appeal mechanisms

Ascertain grounds for appeal – usually related to irregularities of procedures not academic judgment of examiners

FinallyNot about surviving the viva

but . . .an opportunity on how to do justice to yourself and your research

and . . .perhaps even to enjoy the

event!