Enjoying Your PhD Viva Gareth Shaw School of Business and Economics University of Exeter My thesis
Before the Viva Understand the ‘philosophy’ of your thesis Check out your external and internal examiners Submission and viva date
Your Preparations Know your key ideas provide yourself with summaries of chapters-basic points Highlight the key parts of your thesis Spot any typos and make a list Ask your supervisor to do a mock viva
The Viva Process Examiners will have produced a preliminary report before the viva This will form the basis of their questions Viva is to clarify any uncertain points/ideas An opportunity for you to discuss your ideas in detail and provide further explanations It is a forum for discussion
The Viva Setting Usually 2 examiners, possible chairperson Sometimes supervisor Not a test of your memory You are the expert Try to control the pace
In the Viva Three main phases of discussion: 1.General discussion settling in period 1.General discussion settling in period 2. Period of detail discussions-most 2. Period of detail discussions-most questions asked here are specific ones questions asked here are specific ones 3. End point period of reflective discussion and looking ahead 3. End point period of reflective discussion and looking ahead
Phase 1 Common Questions Why did you undertake this study? Or What made you choose this topic? In one sentence what is your thesis about? What are your key findings? What are the innovative/distinctive aspects of your thesis?
Phase 2 Getting into details Questions around the conceptual framework Questions on the methods used Questions on the results and main findings Usually now the viva is working through sections of the thesis page by page. Usually now the viva is working through sections of the thesis page by page.
Phase 2 Cont. In general terms examiners will look for common links between ObjectivesLiteratureMethodsResults Key Findings
Phase 3 Reflecting back- Would you have done anything different ? Publication of results Discussion of areas for further work