Surviving the Viva

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Surviving the Viva

• Dr Sara Shinton
• sara_at_shintonconsulting.com

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Introductions

• Me
• PhD Chemistry 1996, post-doc, teaching assistant
• Careers Adviser, Newcastle University
• PhD and post-doc Development projects
• You
• your subject area and stage of research
• concerns or questions
• hopes for this session

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Outline of session

• The viva in context
• The role of your supervisor
• What to expect
• Typical questions/topics
• Possible outcomes
• Common concerns answered
• Summary of preparation

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Viva in context

• The purpose of academic research
• Your research proposal and project
• Research management
• Thesis writing
• Dissemination and defence of results

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Research

• promotes a tolerance of uncertainty and debate
• fosters a questioning and inquiring attitude
• develops specific skills
• ultimately equips students for life-long learning

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What is a PhD?

• original work
• displays knowledge of the field
• displays the exercise of critical judgement
• represents a contribution to knowledge
• a period of training to be a researcher

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Glasgow Definition - 1

• The degree of Doctor of Philosophy may be awarded
  to a student whose thesis is an original work
  making a significant contribution to knowledge
  in, or understanding of, a field of study and
  normally containing material worthy of
  publication. The thesis shall demonstrate that
  the candidate has adequate knowledge of the field
  of study and the relevant literature and shall
  show the exercise of critical judgement. The
  literary presentation shall be lucid and
  scholarly and there shall be a satisfactory
  abstract.

http//www.gsah.arts.gla.ac.uk/html/guidelines.ht
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Glasgow Definition - 2

• For any research degree, the research work must
  be communicated coherently in a thesis presented
  in a critical and orderly way and, where
  appropriate, must show evidence of appropriate
  analysis and discussion of results.

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Your research proposal (where you came in) and
project

• Description of proposed project
• problem, motivation and approach
• Account of any work done to date
• Bibliography and short survey of the area
• Approximate timetable with milestones
• Outline Table of Contents

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Mini Viva - part 1

• Find a partner
• Discuss for a few minutes how your research
  project was devised, focusing on
• Problem
• Motivation
• Approach
• Both of your projects must be discussed

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Dissemination and Defence of Results

• Published papers
• Conference contributions
• Group meetings
• Informal discussions
• Peer support

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Effective Preparation

• What opportunities do you do have between now and
  your viva to talk about your research?
• In groups discuss how you will find or create
  these

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Your supervisor

• Is likely to be familiar with the role of
  external examiner
• Should choose an external examiner with an
  appropriate background
• Shouldnt allow you to submit until ready
• Is as committed to your success as you are!

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Your supervisor

• Attend meetings
• Answer your questions
• Feedback on progress
• Feedback on written work
• Introduce you to the research community

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What to expect

• What format will the viva take?
• What can I take with me?
• When do I find out the outcome?
• Who will be there?
• What are they there to do?

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Who and What

• Chairperson
• administrative and advisory
• External Examiner
• test knowledge and understanding
• ensure thesis and candidate deserves PhD
• may advise on deficiencies
• Internal Examiner
• ensures viva follow institutional guidelines and
  contributes to decision on award
• Supervisor
• Should not play any part

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Know Your External Examiner

• Area of interest
• Relationship with supervisor
• Selection
• Their examining style
• Their preparation
• Their view of your thesis
• What points might you raise

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Examiners role

• a) check that you wrote the thesis by tackling
  you on the detail
• b) tackle you on anything you wrote to see if you
  understand it
• c) ask questions which are often designed to see
  whether you understand your own argument
• d) see if you can justify a position which the
  examiner has a problem with
• e) point out problems with the thesis and give
  you the opportunity to think through ways of
  rectifying them

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External Examiners checklist

• Research aims clear?
• Literature reviewed/critiqued?
• Key papers included?
• Theoretical basis sound?
• Conjectures consistent with theory?
• Appropriate methodology?

• Evidence collected ethically?
• Sufficient evidence?
• Convinced of reliability and validity?
• Findings assessed against literature?
• Findings make significant contribution to the
  field?
• Any inconsistencies?
• Conclusions?

IS THIS PERSON AN EXPERT?
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What might they ask?

• Questions depend on the thesis, but
• Examiners are often testing skills and
  understanding of methodology as well as the
  content
• Does the candidate have a coherent method and
  philosophy of the subject which got them to where
  they are?
• Have they considered the full range of up-to-date
  bibliography to inform those decisions and
  emphases?

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Typical questions/topics

• what are your main findings?
• what is original about your research?
• describe your methodology and why you decided to
  use this
• can you highlight the major contribution that
  your thesis makes?
• how do your findings relate to the literature?
• who are the most exciting researchers in your
  field?
• what have they published recently?
• but also anything from your undergraduate or
  previous studies (evidence of fundamental
  understanding of the area)

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Mini Viva part 2

• Spend a few minutes thinking about answering the
  question
• Can you highlight the major contribution that
  your thesis makes?
• In pairs, take turns to answer this question.
• Description of contribution
• Evidence of its value
• Support from literature
• Future developments
• Feedback to partner

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Examiners Report

• candidate understands studies relevant to the
  thesis
• thesis contains
• evidence of sufficient experience in methods of
  research
• the purpose of the investigation and a critical
  discussion of the results
• a significant contribution to the relevant field
  of learning
• for collaborative work the extent of the
  candidate's contribution
• recommendations including comments on
• the scope, character and quality of the work
  submitted
• the performance of the candidate at the oral
  examination,
• whether the thesis merits the award of the degree
  aimed for
• whether the candidate has satisfied the examiners
  in the oral examination.

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Possible outcomes

• PhD awarded
• PhD awarded, subject to corrections, without a
  second viva
• PhD not awarded, but candidate permitted to
  present a revised thesis, with a second viva
• satisfactory thesis, but second viva or written
  examination within six months
• MPhil awarded
• degree not awarded and candidature terminated

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How should you prepare?

• Read your thesis and try to admit to yourself
  what's wrong with it or determine what could be
  criticized.
• Work out what you are going to defend and justify
  and what you are happy to concede might need more
  thought or would look different after another
  year's work - maybe do some work to come up with
  an improvement on a weak part of your submitted
  thesis.
• Jon Hesk, PG Convener Classics, St Andrews

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Attitude Appearance

• Smart comfortable
• Sober (!) pleasant
• React to atmosphere style of panel
• Use strategies from interview technique
• Remember purpose of viva

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Your concerns

• Any more queries or new points?

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Summary of preparation

• Practice speaking (conferences) and dealing with
  questions
• Ask staff/colleagues to read sections and ask
  questions
• Summarise your thesis and know its structure
• Ask survivors for advice!
• Understand your thesis - especially the whole
  argument, the main findings and the major
  contribution of your research
• Read new material as it is published

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Research Management

• Personal Management
• Time
• Motivation
• Sanity
• Project Management
• Understand big picture
• Set regular goals
• Remain on track

• People Management
• Other students
• Technicians/staff
• Supervisor
• Information Management
• Effective systems
• Critical analysis

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Resources

• List of web-sites books (HANDOUT)
• Glasgow Guidelines
• Conferences
• Other researchers
• Supervisor

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www.shintonconsulting.com

• sara_at_shintonconsulting.com