1. Preparing for the PhD Qualifying Examination
Dept. of Chemical and Materials Engineering
New Mexico State University
Version

2. What are the differences among a B.S., M.S. and Ph.D.
B.S. degree: primarily coursework
M.S. degree: coursework and research
Ph.D. degree: primarily independent research

3. Purpose of the Qualifying Exam
Demonstrate an important skill in independent research: the ability to critically evaluate a recently published research article

4. Qualifying Exam Schedule
Select research article (today)
Critically evaluate article (next two weeks)
Submit written critique (5:00 p.m. May 25, 2018)
Present oral critique (May 29, 2018). Four time slots
8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m
10:00 a.m.-noon
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

5. Research Article Selection
Draw lots for selection order
Do not choose an article closely related to your research area
Do not choose an article submitted by your Ph.D. advisor

6. Critical Review adjective crit·i·cal \ ˈkri-ti-kəl \
a : inclined to criticize severely and unfavorably His critical temperament cost him several friends.
b : consisting of or involving criticism critical writings; also : of or relating to the judgment of critics The play was a critical success.
c : exercising or involving careful judgment or judicious evaluation critical thinking
 a critical commentary on the mayor's proposal
d : including variant readings and scholarly emendations a critical edition

7. Critical Review Study the article in detail
Identify the problem(s) addressed in the article
Formulate a critical appraisal of the authors’ contributions to the problem(s) AND the significance of the work in light of other publications in the field
Critically evaluate the technical soundness of both the approach used AND the results obtained in the published work
Determine BOTH the article’s good and bad parts
Propose, in concrete terms, research work that might be done to extend and (if necessary) improve upon the study discussed in the article

8. Critical Review Submit a written summary of your findings
Present an oral report of your findings

9. Sample Article

10. Studying the article: SQ3R Method
S: Survey Q: Question R: Read R: Recite R: Review

11. SQ3R Method-Survey Quickly preview article:
Structure (including headings)
Abstract
Figures
Tables
Equations

12. SQ3R Method-Question
During the survey, write down questions that arise to help you as you seek to understand the material in the article
Rewrite the following as questions:
Section headings
Figure captions
Equations
Table headings
Etc.

13. SQ3R Method-Question Ask additional questions
What were the authors trying to accomplish?
What is new? What have others done that is similar and documented in the literature?
What new terms are used in the article?
What methods were used?
What are the strengths of the work?
What are the weaknesses of the work?
Did the authors accomplish their purpose?

14. SQ3R Method-Question Socratic Questions
Questions about the problem statement: why does the problem need to be solved?
Questions for clarification: is any information missing or unclear?
Questions that probe assumptions: what are the assumptions? what could we assume instead?
Questions that probe reasons and evidence: do the facts and observations support the assertions and conclusions?
Questions that probe viewpoints and perspectives: is there a counterargument to the one that was presented?
Questions that probe implications and conclusions: Given all the facts, is the best possible conclusion the one that was presented?
Modified from Fogler, LeBlanc and Rizzo, Strategies for Creative Problem Solving

15. SQ3R Method-Read
Read article in detail, looking for answers to questions (and more questions)
Look for other articles to read that are related to this article, including articles cited in your article

16. SQ3R Method-Recite
Restate the main points of the article in your own words (either aloud or in written form)

17. SQ3R Method-Review
Attempt to answer your questions about the article without referring to the article

18. Recommendations for Written Report
Start first draft early
Write for non-specialists
Edit, edit, edit.
Observe ACE criteria:
A: Accuracy
C: Clarity
E: Economy

19. Recommendations for Oral Presentation
Plan 20 minute presentation
Simplify PowerPoint sides
Cover main points
Anticipate questions

20. Examination Rules
Student must analyze the assigned article and compose the written critical report themselves with no assistance from others. However, students may obtain editorial help with the grammar, punctuation, spelling, and so forth. Under no circumstances is the editor/proofreader allowed to read the journal article you are reviewing.

21. Examination Rules
Student must prepare an oral presentation themselves with no help from others. However, students may practice their presentation before a group of their fellow graduate students. Under no circumstances may the audience be allowed to read either the article the student is reviewing or the student’s written review of the article.
If student requires access to journals or other references, it is permissible to request assistance from the professor who submitted the article being reviewed.

22. Examination Rules
Student may not discuss their written report or their oral presentation with their adviser.
Violation of these rules may result in failure for the Qualifying Examination.
Written reports must be limited to six (6) single-spaced pages, prepared using 12 point Times New Roman font and having 1” margins on all edges of the document.  All figures, tables, and bibliographic lists must be attached on separate pages, not included inline with the written text of the exam.

23. Examination Rules
The student’s research advisor may attend the student’s presentation, but may not be present during the question & answer session that follows.

24. Structure of Oral Examination
The oral presentation will be approximately one hour in length; the student will  give a 20-minute presentation, followed by a 40-minute question and answer session. The oral presentation is expected to cover the research field background, content of this article, and critical appraisal of both the piece of work represented by the article, as well as future work suggested by the article (explicitly and implied).