How to Prepare for a Successful Viva BAM Symposium 2015 Dr. Ahmed Shaalan Lecturer in Marketing, Hull University Business School Dr Lisa Anderson, Senior Lecturer in Management Education, University of Liverpool

Outline  Why have a viva  What is a doctorate?  Examiners  Ways of Preparation Specific preparation Experience preparation  Useful Tips  Useful Resources

Why have a viva? Prove you wrote it Prove you understand it Test knowledge of the wider field Rite of passage Is it at doctoral level?

Outcomes of doctoral study Becoming a fully professional researcher You have something to say that your peers want to listen to. In order to do this you must have a command of what is happening in your subject so that you can evaluate the worth of what others are doing. You must discover where you can make a useful contribution. You must be aware of the ethics of your profession and work within them. Change the way you think about Hull | 7 October 2009 | 4

Outcomes of doctoral study (cont) A mastery of appropriate techniques and know their limitations. An ability to communicate your results and the implications of your research All this must be carried out in an international context; your professional peer group is worldwide. An awareness of an ever-changing environment © Estelle M. Phillips and Derek S. Pugh, How to Get a PhD (5th edn.), Open University Press, Change the way you think about Hull | 7 October 2009 | 5

The Examiners Friendly & Interested Examiners will make you feel at ease. They will want you to explain your research.

Examiners Friendly & Interested Examiners will make you feel at ease. They will want you to explain your research. Short & precise Examiners expect short, precise answers. Be clear about what, why, how you dealt with literature, methodology, analysis, findings, conclusion etc.

The Examiners Adversarial 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. Short & precise Examiners expect short, precise answers. Be clear about what, why, how you dealt with literature, methodology, analysis, findings conclusion etc.

The Examiners Adversarial Some examiners will challenge your views, in order to hear your argument. Detailed Some examiners inspect every word and phrase. “On page 32, you say... please explain.” Friendly & Interested Examiners will make you feel at ease. They will want you to explain your research. Short & precise Examiners expect short, precise answers. Be clear about what, why, how you dealt with literature, methodology, analysis, findings conclusion etc.

Preparation for a viva can be seen in two ways, consisting of:  Specific preparation.  Experience preparation Preparing for your viva

First: The main preparation for the viva is reading.  Read through your thesis and make short notes of what is on every page or group of pages. For example: pp. 33–34 guanxi model discussed pp. 47–50 social capital theory criticised  Read thesis carefully to look for weaknesses and errors. Identify weak points If you think some parts might have been done better, be prepared to say that you now recognise this and say how you would improve it. Specific Preparation - Steps

Second: Compile a thesis summary, revising from that rather than from the thesis itself This is valuable because:  It gives a point and focus to the re-reading process, which makes it more effective  It makes sure you know what you have written  Will help you focus on the strategic level  Will help you answer questions Specific Preparation - Steps

Two ways to develop this summary: First: A half-line summary of each paragraph in the thesis should suffice to remind you of every important point in the thesis. The result is a four to six pages ‘road map’ of your thesis. Second: Prepare a document of questions and answers. This document has your answers for all the expected, probable and most asked questions Specific Preparation – Summary Developing

Types of Preparations Experience Preparation Specific Preparation Thesis Summary Doc. questions and answers Half line summary of each par. Reading your thesis Summary

Every viva examination is different, so it is not possible to know in advance exactly what the examiners will ask you. However, there are some common questions which you may like to practice as part of your own preparations and developing the summary. Generally, the questions that are asked in viva examinations can be grouped under four basic headings: What is it about? What did you do? What did you find? Why does that matter? Practicing how you would answer these four basic questions will take you a long way in your preparations. How To Develop A Summary – Viva Questions

Below are some more specific questions that follow on from these basic questions; these are arranged following the order of a typical thesis. General Questions  What is your thesis about? In 3-5 minutes summarize (talk about your thesis) (Free Kick) - You ought not to stumble, so you should rehearse this.  Why did you decide on this particular research question?  Why did you choose this topic for your doctoral research? Or what made you look at this area to study for PhD? (Gabs/ or importance or both)  What have you found the most interesting aspect of your research? Viva Questions

Guanxi Relationship Marketing Social network in the Arab world Hutchings & Weir 2006a, b suggested the need for comparative analysis of the business networking styles of these two regions Hutchings & Weir 2006a, b suggested the need for The Thesis

Viva Questions General Questions  How did your thinking about this topic develop as you went through this research process?  Now that you have completed the research, which part of the process would you say you enjoyed most and why?  Were there any surprises along the way?  How did doing this research change you as a researcher?

Viva Questions - Is it Original? Originality Questions / (Free Kicks)  What is your thesis about?  Summarise your key findings  What is original about your work?  What are the contributions to knowledge of your thesis (why is it important?)  Why did you approach the area in this way? (justification)

Research Context  You refer to XXX as a key influence on your research - can you summarise the particular relevance of their work?  What developments have there been in this field since you began your doctorate? How have these changed the research context in which you are working?  You make only passing reference to the field of... why do you think that field is less relevant than the others you have given more space to?  You do not say much about the... theory in your thesis - can you explain why you have not focused more on that? Viva Questions

Research Context  Why xx?  What would you say are the key pieces of literature which have informed your work?  What are the latest themes emerging from the relationship marketing or guanxi literature?  Is there a theoretical underpinning to your work?  How does your work develop prior literature?  How did you derive your theoretical model?  Describe the process by which you developed your research questions? Viva Questions

Research Methods  In 2 minutes summarise your research philosophy and method? (Free Kick)  How did you choose to use your specific approach for your methodology? (Justifications)  How did you conduct your data collection?  How did you determine who to interview? Why 20 or 5?  How you did you develop your sample for your quantitative data collection Viva Questions

Research Methods  How did you analyse your qualitative or quantitative data, did you use software, have you provided your coding? Which kind of analysis you have used?  How did your phase 1 inform your phase 2 of research?  How did you derive your variables for your quant research?  To what extent do you feel that you can show that your data is reliable? Viva Questions

Research Methods  Did you have any problems with the data collection process?  You used an existing research method and developed it further - can you tell us why this further development was needed?  What were the main ethical issues of conducting this research?  How did you establish the limits around the scope of your data collection? Viva Questions

Analysis and Findings  Can you talk us through your methods of analysis?  Did you encounter any problems with applying this method of analysis?  Do you think the data you collected were the most appropriate to answer your research question or are there any other data you would have liked to have collected?  Can you describe your main findings in a few sentences? Viva Questions

Discussion  If you were starting your research again now, are there any changes in the way you would plan it?  You interpret these findings as... but do you think there could be an argument for interpreting them as... instead?  You said in your thesis that... - can you expand on that point?  In what way do you consider your thesis to be original?  How is your framework any different to prior work in the area? (Free Kick) Viva Questions

Conclusions/Implications  What are the empirical, practice, and theoretical implications of your findings?  How would you hope that this research could be followed up and taken further? Viva Questions

Conclusions/Implications  What are your key theoretical contributions?  What are your key managerial contributions? …. Impact??  Can you apply the findings of your research outside of UK?  What comments would you make about the ‘validity’ of your research?  Are there any limitations of your research?  Does your research suggest any areas for future research? Viva Questions

Types of Preparations Experience Preparation Specific Preparation Thesis Summary Doc. questions and answers Half line summary of each par. Reading your thesis Summary

Experience preparation alerts you to the type of experience you will have in the viva.  A ‘mock viva’. Please record the mock viva.  Viva tutorial: discussion with your supervisor(s) on what areas of the thesis you both think will attract the examiners’ attention, what sort of questions they could ask and how these might be answered.  Discussion practice: For example, arrange seminars on your work in your final year Experience Preparation

Useful Tips - Answering the viva questions Be ready for a 'free kick'. It is relatively common that a panel will ask one (or more) questions that, whatever the actual wording may be, are essentially an invitation to you to tell them (briefly) what is important, new and good in your thesis.  You ought not to stumble at this stage, so you should rehearse this.  You should be able to produce on demand (say) a one minute speech and a five minute speech, and be prepared to extend them if invited by further questions.  Do not try to recite your abstract: written and spoken styles should be rather different.  Rather, rehearse answers to the questions: "What is your thesis about, what are the major contributions and what have you done that merits a PhD?"

Useful Tips – Answering the viva questions  Provide a well considered replies that answer and do not dodge or drift away from the question asked.  If you feel unsure whether you have answered a question fully or in the manner expected, ask the examiner if the answer is what they sought.  If you don't understand the question, ask for clarification. Paraphrase the question in your own words and say, "is this what you mean?"

Useful Tips – Answering the viva questions If you really can't answer a question:  Be honest.  If you have any idea at all, say it. Say, "I can't answer this on the spot, but I should be able to work it out in my own time.” or "I can't answer this without some more detailed thought, but I should be able to work it out with a bit of time."  If it's about literature you haven't come across, thank the questioner and ask for a reference.  One candidate recognised questions that were outside the stated research boundary and declined to answer.

Useful Tips – Answering the viva questions What if you get a question which uncovers a flaw in your work?  Seek to find out your examiners views on how the problem might be remedied. Can it be addressed in future work which develops on what you’ve done in your thesis?…or in a resubmission. Better than not showing awareness and not being given the chance to resubmit.  If it’s something you are already aware of, prepare your discussion of why it doesn’t undermine your whole thesis. Showing you are aware of this will show you have good critical skills.  But don’t volunteer flaws unnecessarily!

Useful Tips – Answering the viva questions  If you make a mess of an answer, lose the point, or simply dry up, acknowledge this and start again. Everyone knows these occasions can be nerve-racking.  Do not offer additional/extra information  Often the questions will be much simpler than you expect.  A few seconds pause to reflect before answering seems eminently reasonable to the panel. Also you could ask for few minutes to have a look to your notes or thesis (remember it is an open book exam)

Useful Tips Your reading before the viva  Recent publications tend to be particularly important (what are the recent developments in your field?). Read papers referenced in the thesis  Read the examiners' publications to get a feel for where they're coming from, what things they consider important, and which topics they consider relevant. Don't stop reading until after the viva. Examiners’ research interests? This will direct their questions

Useful Tips  In general, examiners feel good about the idea of a new, fresh researcher coming into their area. And they usually have a genuine interest in the work.  They have to show that they have read it and they have to give you the opportunity to show that you understand it (you do, of course).  Some of them may feel it is necessary to maintain their image as senior scholars and founts of wisdom. Judicious use of the "Good question", "Yes, you're right of course", "Good idea.." and "Thanks for that" will allow that with a minimum of fuss and a maximum of time for celebrating.

Useful Tips Preparation –Psychological  Be confident!  You are the expert.  Listen carefully.  Don’t ramble.  Use whiteboard, A4 Pad, etc to explain concepts where needed.  Seek clarification from the examiners where necessary.  Enjoy yourself, I did!

Useful Tips Viva Day  Dress smartly (but comfortably)  Feeling nervous is normal  Do NOT be late  Take a copy of your thesis with you  Highlighter tabs, Post it Notes, A4 Pad &  Copies of your Own Published Articles  Copies of Relevant Recent Articles  Use whiteboard, A4 Pad, etc to explain concepts where needed.

Useful Tips - What Will Impress Examiners  Flexible and agile thinking in response to unanticipated questions  Good understanding of appropriate research methods.  Clear reasons for what is included and excluded from the research  Critical awareness of the field of enquiry which demonstrates knowledge beyond that shown in the thesis alone.  Self-critical assessment showing honesty in what has been achieved, partly achieved or not achieved at all.

Useful Tips - What Will Impress Examiners  Awareness of what remains to be researched and any key developments since the thesis was submitted (i.e. keeping up with the subject).  A sense of your personal desire to undertake the research, your search for answers, and your integrity and thoroughness.  If you feel an examiner’s question is unclear ask for clarification. The examiners will respect your need for accuracy – it reveals precision in your thinking.

Useful Resources  HOW TO: Do yourself justice in the oral exam/viva  How to survive a thesis defence (Joe Wolfe)  Thirteen reasons for having to revise your methods chapter (Pat Thomson's blog) to-write-their-methods-chapter-again/ to-write-their-methods-chapter-again/  Surviving a PhD – 10 Top Tips… (Dr Alex Hope) Alex Hope  Nasty PhD Viva Questions (Dr. Andrew Broad)  Hull Phd conferences -resources on graduate school website.

Useful Resources  Questions in doctoral vivas: views from the inside (Vernon Trafford)  What Constitutes a Theoretical Contribution? (David A. Whetten)  Overlooking the conceptual framework (Shosh Leshem & Vernon Trafford)

Be prepared to enjoy your viva. It is a wonderful opportunity to discuss your research with a group of people who actually want to know what you have to say. Relish this!

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Thank You & Good luck! Dr. Ahmed Shaalan