How to survive your viva PhD Research Methodology Course Nov 2011 Assoc Prof Dr Jamaliah Said Accounting Research Institute Faculty of Accountancy

Viva is the method for assessment of these PhD characteristics Originality Substantial Independent Significant Rigorous Viva is the method for assessment of these

How does it work? [1] Before the viva: Examiners sent thesis Prepare independent preliminary reports Come to preliminary judgement Come to preliminary judgement Each examiners complies lists of questions and queries they have about the thesis

How does it work? [2] During viva: Examiners meet before and plan the structure of viva, questions, roles, etc Meet PhD candidate (supervisors may attend but cannot say anything) Sometimes tell candidate their preliminary judgement at start of viva and the purpose of the viva Ask a series of questions and listen to the answers

How does it work? [3] At the end of the viva: You and your supervisor will be asked to leave the room Examiners discuss their views and come to a decision (see later) Invite you back in and tell you their decision Supervisor often comes in at this point

Before the Viva Examiners Selection Supervisor Examiners must normally 2-3 1 internal, 1-2 external staff = 2 internals Selection chosen by Department approved by Director of Graduate School student consulted; no right of veto Supervisor may attend Viva Examiners must have subject expertise be research active have experience of supervising and examining (at least in team)

Preparing for submission & Viva Supervisor’s blessing advised, not compulsory Copies need 1 copy for each examiner and 1 for supervisor if you wish can be soft bound no loose sheets allowed Postgraduate Studies Office in Uni House Viva may take weeks/months ask supervisor to arrange a mock viva think about research rationale originality contribution to knowledge strong and weak points

The PhD Viva An integral part of the examining process may confirm a favourable impression of thesis may compensate for weaknesses Allows candidate to defend research/thesis expand and clarify Allows examiners to assure themselves that the research is original the candidate did the work the candidate is capable of future research unsupervised

Criteria for award of PhD Thesis to make an original contribution to knowledge Thesis must contain material of a standard appropriate for publication Thesis must comply with regulations on length, form etc

Outcome of the Viva The five decisions examiners can make 1 “if the thesis fulfils the criteria…and the candidate satisfies the examiners in all other parts of the examination the examiners will report that the candidate has satisfied them…” (pass)

2 “if the thesis otherwise fulfils the criteria but requires minor amendments…. require the candidate to make within a certain time period…amendments specified by them…” (provisional pass with minor changes)

3 “if the thesis, though inadequate, shall seem of sufficient merit…the candidate be permitted to re-present his/her thesis in a revised form within a certain time period. The examiners may at their discretion exempt from a further oral examination, on re-presentation of his/her thesis…” (not passed - major changes)

4 “if, after completion of the examination…the examiners determine that a candidate has not reached the standard required for the award of the degree… they shall consider whether the thesis does or might…satisfy the criteria for… MPhil degree. If they so decide, the examiners shall submit a report which demonstrates either (a) how the criteria for the MPhil degree are satisfied, or (b) what action would need to be taken in order for these criteria to be satisfied.” (offered MPhil now or with revisions)

5 “The examiners may determine that the candidate has not satisfied them in the examination.” (fail)

What happens next? Minor corrections and amendments usually checked by Internal Examiner when agreed then proceed as “PhD awarded” PhD awarded candidate takes 2 copies of thesis to be hard-bound result approved by Director of the Graduate School on behalf of the Senate graduation

What happens next? Revise and resubmit student receives written guidance from examiners is entitled to continued supervision after thesis resubmitted may be second Viva if not, both examiners report in writing

Reframe Event The Viva . . . An Opportunity To discuss your work with experts To improve your arguments and thesis To consider where to publish – get free consultancy!

The Viva ... the Examiners Adversarial Friendly & Interested Detailed Some examiners will challenge your views, in order to hear your argument. Friendly & Interested Examiners will make you feel at ease. They will want you to explain your research. Detailed Some examiners inspect every word and phrase. “On page 32, you say ... please explain.”

The Viva ... Stay Calm & Confident You are most probably now the world’s expert on your thesis topic. Argue each point with confidence. Demonstrate your depth/breadth of knowledge.

Preparation Revision and Summaries Know limitations Re-read critically Review each chapter and summarise in points Defence of research Know limitations

On the day Be early Be careful what you wear Bring a drink Bring a pad and pen (although don’t expect to take many notes) Expect to be nervous but try to deal with it positively/constructively 21

On the day Check list: List of corrections Pen and paper Tissues Drink Copy of your thesis, especially your summary and abstract 22

How long does it last? Length of viva Natural and applied sciences (%) Arts, humanities and social sciences (%) Up to 1 hour 3% 27% 1-2 hours 40% 56% 2-3 hours 43% 15% 3+ hours 2% Source: Tinkler and Jackson, The Doctoral Examination Process, SPHE & Open University Press, Maidenhead: 2004, page 173 23

Final Advice Expect to be nervous Practice your answers beforehand Don’t agree with everything they say but don’t be arrogant Expect some corrections Make sure you are clear about important dates Remember, you want to do justice to your writing in the oral format so practice is essential 24

Common viva questions Originality What are the most original parts of the thesis? Which propositions would you say are distinctively your own? How do you think you work takes forward or develops the literature in this field? What are the “bottom line” conclusions of your research? How innovative or distinctive are they?

Common viva questions Origins/Topics Can you tell us how you came to choose this topic for your doctorate? Why have you defined the topic in the way you did? What were some of the difficulties you encountered and did they influence how the topic was framed?

Common viva questions Methods What are the core methods used in this thesis? Why did you choose this approach? In an ideal world, are there different techniques you’d have liked to use? Data What are the main sources or kinds of evidence? Are they strong enough to sustain the conclusions you draw? How do your findings fit with or contradict the rest of the literature in this field?

Common viva questions What next? What are the main implications of your research for the rest of the field?

Dealing with questions Listen to the question Pause and take your time Talk precisely and move from the general to the specific Use appropriate rhetorical strategies: First person and the active voice

Bad Practices On the part of the candidate Not answering the questions Taking too long to answer Not being fully familiar with the thesis Not admitting mistakes, errors, omissions On the part of the examiners Not having read the thesis completely Not focusing on the candidate Being aggressive On the part of the university Inadequate regulations Inadequate hospitality On the part of the independent chair Not intervening Not applying/knowing about regulations

Good Practices On the part of the candidate Responding to questions Acknowledging errors … On the part of the examiners Submission of report before the viva Constructive comments and intelligent questions Advice on what to do next On the part of the independent chair Keeping the viva going smoothly; managing the examiners and the candidate Dealing with disagreements between examiners On the part of the university Clear regulations Well prepared staff and resources

Viva experiences Aggressive defence Missing references Wrong version submitted No mention of the external examiner’(s)’ work Rambling answers Methods – misunderstanding Failure of technology Display of artefact, performance, other products Presentation Y/N? Fire

Good LUCK & Thank You