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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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)

12. 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)

13. 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)

14. 5
“The examiners may determine that the candidate has not satisfied them in the examination.” (fail)

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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!

18. 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.”

19. 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.

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

21. 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

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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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?

26. 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?

27. 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?

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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. Good LUCK
&
Thank You