Surviving%20the%20confirmation%20process:%20A%20practical%20guide

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Surviving the confirmation process A practical
guide

• Dr Stephen Harrington

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Today

• A practical guide (ties in with my "8 Tips...")
• The entire confirmation process.
• Broken down into 6 stages...

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The 6 stages of confirmation

• "The lead-up"
• "The write-up"
• "The stand-up"
• "The wait-up"
• "The big-up"
• "The follow-up"

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1 "The Lead-Up"

• Starts the moment you successfully complete the
  Stage 2 process.
• Plan well in advance.
• Understand what is involved.
• Attend other confirmation seminars, view other
  confirmation documents.

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1 "The Lead-Up"

• Plan a date well in advance.
• Don't put it off if you don't have to.
• Don't over-read.
• Plan carefully with your supervisors.
• Start the writing process early...

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2 "The Write-Up"

• Not a distinct phase, as such.
• Vital element in the confirmation process.
• Should be very well-developed.
• Topic/scope should be very clearly defined...

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2 "The Write-Up"

• What your confirmation document needs to
  demonstrate
• A clearly defined topic/research question(s).
• A very good understanding of the field, and
  previous research.
• A gap in the existing research and,
• A clear plan of how you are going to fill it.

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2 "The Write-Up"
Clarity of focus is vital. Time for an
exercise! Task Write a 4 sentence summary of
your thesis topic and methods.
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3 "The Stand-Up"

• Don't be nervous!
• A chance to share your interests with others.
• Is a public seminar. Invite friends and family.
• This is a very different genre/task to the
  confirmation document...

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3 "The Stand-Up"

• This requires you to speak to a very different
  audience.
• Summary of the confirmation document, for a
  layperson.
• Time for an exercise!
• Task Write a 2 sentence summary of your thesis
  topic and methods, that anyone can understand.

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3 "The Stand-Up"

• Be well-prepared.
• Don't read from a script.
• Keep to the allocated time!
• Try to anticipate possible questions.
• Answer them honestly, if possible.

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4 "The Wait Up"

• Stand around nervously.
• Relax. )
• Do something to fill-in the time!
• Thank people for coming, follow-up with
  good/incisive questions.

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5 "The Big-Up"

• More often than not, positive feedback!
• Listen carefully to the panel's advice.
• Use the opportunity to ask questions, seek
  further information/feedback.
• See any criticism as a useful chance for
  improvement.

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6 "The Follow-Up"

• The most important phase of all.
• How you respond to the process, and let it feed
  back into your work.
• Especially if your confirmation is not
  Immediately successful.
• Engage the panel members on an ongoing basis, if
  possible.

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Conclusion

• Stay calm. The entire process exists for your
  benefit.
• Usually very positive experience.
• But, only if approached in the right spirit.
• You can do it!

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Questions?