Research Degree Theses and Oral Examinations John Kirby Graduate School Faculty of Medical Sciences University of Newcastle

What is the word limit Newcastle does not currently have a formally stated word limit. This is NOT a licence to go on and on and on…. Look at plenty of examples –Not just from your own group!

British Standard BSI 4821:1990 Now withdrawn! But can still provide useful information Library: Quick reference section.

Make life easy! Produce final quality images as you go along – don’t wait until the end to put these together. Maintain a bibliography as you go – write your own comments! Don’t simply download abstracts into Endnote.

Types of thesis ‘Standard’ –Divided into chapters with results and interpretations By publication –A review and a series of ~5 related papers –Can be difficult to examine as papers have already satisfied external referees! –Only for staff candidates

How do I write a book? Agree a preliminary table of contents with your supervisor (assessment 3). –Bite sized pieces Materials and methodology are easy (descriptive) and get you started. Results is also descriptive and is crucial to the structure of your thesis. Introduction and discussion are hard

Typical thesis layout Title page (what is your title!) Abstract (one page; 300 words) Table of contents List of Figures and Tables Abbreviations Acknowledgements

Introduction –End with a clear statement of aims Materials + Methodology Results chapter(s) –Typically have one per aim –Often have separate mini introductions and specific discussions Concluding discussion –Context with literature –Strengths, weaknesses, future work Bibliography

Table of contents 1IntroductionPage 1.1History of problem1 1.2First issue sub issue sub issue Second issue 1.3.1sub issue sub issue sub issue sub issue Third issue 1.4.1sub issue a sub sub issue b sub sub issue sub issue Fourth issue20 1.6Fifth issue etc, etc…

Backup, Backup, Backup! Write what you know/think and then reference a block of text Try not to insert graphics within the text –Use separate pages –MUCH easier to format the final document Minimise unnecessary use of colour –Cheaper and quicker to print Tips

Finished Get fiends and family to prrofread Final printing takes much longer than you think! Liaise with your supervisors –They must nominate examiners well in advance of submission! Binding –Soft at first

Purpose of an examination For the University –To assess and maintain quality –To mark ‘completion’ of the degree programme For the Student –Potentially leads to award of a degree –Is an important and memorable life event can be a real emotional roller coaster (for everyone involved)

Who needs an oral examination? All PhD and MD candidates –Students and full-time JRAs need one internal and one external examiner –Staff candidates require two external examiners Not all MPhil candidates –Same criteria for examiners as above –Oral examination held at examiners request Not only for weak students With a good candidate can be fun for everyone!

Appointment of examiners See nomination forms on Graduate School www-site. Examiners must: –be cognisant of standards –have subject knowledge (need CV) –command authority –not have played a role in the research –(if external) not have been a member of Newcastle staff for at least 3 years –be able and willing to examine

Internal examiners Liaise with supervisor, student (and sometimes external) to arrange examination Ensure the examination complies with Newcastle University protocol Ensure appropriate report forms are completed and submitted in a timely manner Provide balance, fairness and ensure good examination conduct Potentially play a role during any appeals process

External examiners Usually is the scientific specialist Usually has the ‘casting vote’ Maintains inter-university quality –Report provides important feedback to Graduate School May not be completely ‘up to speed’ with local regulations!

Criteria – all theses Should be: –Authentic –Scholarly –Professional –Well-structured, written and presented

MPhil candidates Should –Demonstrate advanced knowledge –Have good knowledge of literature Theses need not be –As original as a PhD –Worthy of publication

PhD/MD candidates Should –provide evidence of adequate industry –demonstrate ability for originality –understand relationship with wider field –thesis should contain material worthy of publication

Preliminary Report Regulations vary between institutions - read them! Many (but not all) institutions require examiners to independently produce reports before the examination –Some need these to be submitted before the examination to flag up potential problems

How to conduct the examination - 1 Arrange the room –Often good to have pencils and paper to draw on At the start candidates can be very nervous! –Put them at their ease if possible with a soft start (but don’t anticipate the result!) –Remember to arrange refreshment breaks –Consider the candidate’s bladder

How to conduct the examination - 2 Agree a plan with your co-examiner Remember: –Oral examination of a good candidate can/should be one of the most pleasurable academic experiences for all involved –Examination of a poor thesis/candidate can be truly awful! You need to devise different strategies for both situations

Options at Newcastle A1 Admit to degree A2 Minor correction A3 Minor revisions B1 Resubmit + oral B2 Resubmit no oral C Thesis OK but 2 nd oral D1 Award masters D2 Minor correction for masters degree D3 Minor revision for masters degree E Resubmit + oral for masters F No degree

At the end (if all has gone well) Ask the candidate to withdraw for a few minutes REMEMBER you do not award the degree!! Work out what you wish to say, then invite the candidate back Tell the candidate what recommendation you will be making to the higher degrees committee (or other appropriate authority). Smile and shake hands