The Final Viva voce examination

27
he Final Examination Dr Paul Spencer Researcher Development Manager [email protected] Tel: 0117 328 3974

description

A presentation outlining the process for the final viva examination for doctoral students at UWE

Transcript of The Final Viva voce examination

Page 1: The Final Viva voce examination

The Final Examination

Dr Paul SpencerResearcher Development [email protected]: 0117 328 3974

Page 2: The Final Viva voce examination

The ProcessTimescalesAppointment of ExaminersWhat your DoS should be doingThe forms

The Examination What exactly is an MPhil or PhD? How is it examined? How to prepare for the examination is it feasible to prepare at all? What to expect in the viva – questions and concerns

This workshop

Page 3: The Final Viva voce examination

About…* three months before you submit your

final thesis and six months prior to your viva

…your DoS must identify and seek the appointment of examiners

One external (two externals for staff candidates), one internal examiner & an independent chair

The Process (1)

* Examination arrangements valid for a maximum of 12 months

Page 4: The Final Viva voce examination

Examiners must be approved by the Faculty Research Degrees Committee (RDC) & submitted to Graduate School (PGR Assessment) at least three months before the expected date of the viva

You submit your thesis for examination to UWE Graduate School PGR Assessment team (located in Wallscourt House, Bristol Business Park)

Process (2)

Page 5: The Final Viva voce examination

6mths

DoS approaches Examiners

3mths

Fac. RDC submits EX1 form to PGR Assessment

Team

Viva2wks

Preliminary reports from

Examiners

+4wks

Exam takes place automatically

Submit minor corrections

(FT – PT 8wks)

Final submission

& graduate!

Have thesis bound (££)

Approximate timeline for final exam

+3mths

Submit minor amendments

(FT – PT 6mths)

Page 6: The Final Viva voce examination

What is an MPhil?

Page 7: The Final Viva voce examination

The award of a Master of Philosophy requires that a candidate should demonstrate that he/she:

(1) has engaged in enquiry which makes a contribution to knowledge within his/her field of study;

(2) can demonstrate a systematic understanding of the current state of knowledge within his/her field of

theory and/or practice;(3) shows the ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project capable of contributing new knowledge close to the forefront of the discipline or field of practice;

What is an MPhil? (1)

Page 8: The Final Viva voce examination

What is an MPhil? (2)

(4) can demonstrate a sound understanding of the methodology and techniques of enquiry relevant to the discipline or field of study;(5) has developed a capacity to form judgements

of issues and ideas in the field of research and/or practice and communicate and justify

these to relevant audiences;(6) can critically reflect on his/her work and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses

Page 9: The Final Viva voce examination

What is a PhD?

Page 10: The Final Viva voce examination

The award of a Doctorate of the University (other than a Higher Doctorate) requires that a candidate should demonstrate that he/she:

What is a PhD? (1)

(i) has conducted enquiry leading to the creation and interpretation of new knowledge through original research or other advanced scholarship, shown by satisfying scholarly review by accomplished and recognised scholars in the field;

(ii) can demonstrate a critical understanding of the current state of knowledge in that field of theory and/or practice;

Page 11: The Final Viva voce examination

What is a PhD? (2)

(iii) shows the ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the

generation of new knowledge at the forefront of the discipline or field of practice including the capacity to adjust the project design in the light of emergent issues and understandings;

(iv) can demonstrate a critical understanding of the methodology of enquiry;

Page 12: The Final Viva voce examination

What is a PhD? (3)

(v) has developed independent judgement of issues and ideas in the field of research and/or practice and is able to communicate and justify that judgement to appropriate audiences;

(vi) can critically reflect on his/her work and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses including understanding validation procedures.

Page 13: The Final Viva voce examination

The overall difference between a doctorate and an MPhil is not one of time or length but rather an issue of depth and sophistication.

MPhil Vs PhD?

Page 14: The Final Viva voce examination

The Viva voce Examination

Viva voce = ‘By word of mouth’ or live voice

Page 15: The Final Viva voce examination

The Examination

The examination shall have two stages..

firstly: the candidates submission of the thesis and examiners’ independent preliminary assessment of it;

&

secondly: the defence of the thesis by the candidate…’

Page 16: The Final Viva voce examination

The Examination – Stage 1Independent preliminary report considers:

• All submitted theses will be subject to a Viva voce examination

• What issues should be explored at the Viva?• A provisional recommendation as to appropriateness of

thesis title

Page 17: The Final Viva voce examination

• Examiners report must be received not less than 10 days before scheduled viva

• Candidate and Supervisory team will not normally see copies of report

• Thesis goes on to viva automatically now

The Examination – Stage 1

Page 18: The Final Viva voce examination

Let’s look at some video clips• Viva videos

Page 19: The Final Viva voce examination

Preparation for the Viva

Four golden rules:

• Know your field• Know your thesis• Be clear about where your ‘significant

contribution to knowledge’ lies• Be enthusiastic about your work!

Page 20: The Final Viva voce examination

Know your FieldAs a PhD candidate you have reached the stage where you are expected to be an authority in your chosen field no matter how narrow!

So demonstrate authority with confidence

Be familiar with:

- the current development of your field and

- all current related work and workers elsewhere

Page 21: The Final Viva voce examination

Often the viva is some months after you submitted the final thesis

• Make sure you know where the important bits of the thesis are:– an examiner may ask “on page 34 you say… can

you please expand on this”– Take a copy of your thesis with you

Know your Field

Page 22: The Final Viva voce examination

Your Significant Contribution

• Many viva candidates are either– unclear about exactly the contribution they have

made, or– too modest to state the significance of the

contribution• Many dissertations fail to indicate which part

of the work is existing and which is new and original

Page 23: The Final Viva voce examination

• Stay confident. You’ve written the thesis, you know more about this than anyone else

• Try to enjoy the experience. It is an in depth discussion about your research

• If you feel the examiners have misinterpreted something in your thesis, don’t be afraid to say so

• On the other hand if they highlight a limitation in your work, acknowledge it

• Above all, stay cool. If a question confuses you, ask for it to be re-phrased

Enthusiasm & Confidence

Page 24: The Final Viva voce examination

Outcomes of Viva

Page 25: The Final Viva voce examination

1. The candidate be awarded the degree2. The candidate be awarded the degree subject to minor

changes (either “corrections” OR “amendments”) being made to the thesis

3. The candidate be permitted to re-submit for the degree and be re-examined, with or without a Viva voce examination

4. The candidate be not awarded the degree and not be permitted to be re-examined (outright fail- very rare)

5. The candidate may resubmit for the award of MPhil subject to the presentation of the thesis amended to the satisfaction of the examiners with or without the requirement for an additional viva

Possible Outcomes

Outcome 2 is by far the most common!

Page 26: The Final Viva voce examination

• No grounds on ‘academic judgement’• Only if performance was adversely affected or..• ‘Process’ was incorrectly followed

Further detail in Section G3 of Academic Regulations

Right of Appeal

Page 27: The Final Viva voce examination

• About the process?• The viva itself?• What happens after?

Questions?