The PhD, Probation and MRes Vivas

1
The PhD, Probation and MRes Vivas

• Overview of three vivas (Stephen) 10.00
• Split into two groups to discuss in more detail
  11.00
• PhD and probation viva (Steve)
• MRes viva, Qs and As (Ann, Eunice and Pauline)

2
MRes What happens and who is involved?

• Discussion between you (student) and 2 examiners
• One will chair the panel (like the internal
  examiner of a PhD)
• Your supervisor is present as an observer (role
  will be discussed)
• Examiners will have read and marked your
  dissertation
• You can offer a presentation at beginning, if
  appropriate
• Lasts for up to 45 minutes
• Very likely to be told the recommended result at
  the time

3
The panel members in more detail

• Two examiners who will have read, marked and
  written a report on your dissertation , one of
  whom chairs the review panel.
• Your dissertation supervisor as observer, to
  provide
• advice, as someone familiar with your work
• reassurance and support for you
• The observers role will have been discussed and
  they may be asked to withdraw from part of the
  meeting.
• You MAY elect not to have your supervisor present
  but if so need to confirm this to the research
  school.

4
What the examiners have to do

• Identify the issues to be raised at the viva and
  ask you questions around these
• Assess whether you have met the requirements of
  the MRes degree
• Your MRes dissertation must show evidence of
  good style and presentation proficiency in the
  methods and techniques of research
• an adequate knowledge and/or understanding of a
  field of study in an appropriate context.
• Make a recommendation about the award of the
  degree

5
The recommendations

• Award the MRes degree (i.e. no corrections
  required)
• Corrections and minor modifications 2 months to
  complete
• Major revision and resubmission for
  re-examination 9 months
• Fail
• if the requirements of the MRes degree have not
  been met

6
What happens next

• The examiners fill in a report form on which they
  clearly specify any corrections or revisions
  required and which examiner(s) will be
  responsible for checking them
• If you have been asked to make corrections you
  will be given a list of these (probably not on
  the day)
• Celebrate!
• Do any corrections you need to do within the
  timescale but ensure you discuss them and check
  them with your supervisors

7
What you may be asked in the viva

• In the pre-viva form the examiners report on
• presentation and style of the dissertation
• evidence of proficiency in the methods and
  techniques of research
• evidence of knowledge and/or understanding and
  critical evaluation of a field of study
• In the post-viva form examiners comment on
• Your defence of the dissertation at the viva
• Any other comments on the dissertation

8
Presentation style (DMF sect 8)

• The report should be written and organised in a
  coherent and logical manner.
• There should be clarity of argument, with
  supporting evidence and referencing of sources.
• Textual references and the reference list should
  follow the recommended format.
• Appendices should be labelled and presented
  appropriately.
• Correct spelling and grammar should be used.
• The report should be within the suggested length
  limit (17,000 words)
• It may or may not be appropriate for the report
  to be in the third person and past tense,
  depending on the topic area and culture of the
  discipline and research tradition within which it
  is located.

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Proficiency in methods techniques

• See sections 2,4,5,6 and 7 of the dissertation
  marking form, e.g.
• Aims and Objectives - Clear aims and objectives
  rationale for choosing them (2)
• Describes an appropriate research design (4)
• Shows how the design addresses the research
  questions (4)
• Provides adequate details of the data collection
  and analysis including any instructions to
  participants and coding schemes (5)
• Demonstrates an understanding of how the findings
  relate to the original research questions, and to
  existing theory and research (6)
• Discusses appropriate ethical considerations in
  relation to the work (7)

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Knowledge .. evaluation of field

• Sections 2, 3 and 6.
• Demonstrates critical understanding of relevant
  theories and research (literature review, section
  3)
• Demonstrates an understanding of how the findings
  relate to the original research questions, and to
  existing theory and research (section 6)

11
Defence of the dissertation

• Dont panic about the word defence it is more
  of a discussion
• Likely to ask you an opening ease-in question
• Examiners looking to give you credit not catch
  you out so fine to explain that you needed to
  go for plan B

12
Finally further resources

• Most of the forms and information are on the MRes
  website see documents for the forms
• http//kn.open.ac.uk/mres
• The marking criteria are in the dissertation
  guide
• Also relevant information in your Doing
  Postgraduate Research book

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Homepage Training Portfolio Student Induction
Programme Material D853 Research Degrees
Student Handbook Supervisor area Discipline
Designation Coordinator Documents Forms
Useful contacts FAQs
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MRes Monitoring Form MRes Assignment Feedback
Form   Issued by Research School Candidate
Declaration Form (EX13 MRes) Pre-Viva Examiner
Report Form (EX32 MRes) Progress Monitoring
Report Form (PMR1 MRes) Viva Guidelines (EX10
MRes) Viva Nomination Form (EX5 MRes) Viva Report
Form (EX33 MRes) Student Recruitment Guidelines
(FT24 MRes) Supervisors Guidelines (S10 MRes)