1. Thesis writing and the viva Madeleine Ennis m.ennis@qub.ac.uk

3. The key to successful thesis writing is organisation and planning It is NEVER too early to start For example use a reference manager system from the beginning and make notes about all papers you read

4. The first steps 1.Make an outline plan of the thesis 2.Decide what to put in each chapter 3.Discuss your thesis plan with your supervisor

5. Typical thesis structure 1.Introduction 2.Methods and materials 3.Several results chapters (with introductions and discussions) 4.An overall conclusion chapter containing suggestions for further work. 5.References 6.Appendices

6. Some tips to help with organisation Start a filing system on the computer – make 1 file for each chapter and 1 for the references (if you remember/read something important for another chapter you can make a note of it) Make a back-up of these files and do so AT LEAST daily

7. Some tips to help with organisation Have a paper folder for each chapter – graphs, calculations, references, calibration curves, etc., which will suddenly strike you as relevant to one chapter or other. Stick them in that folder If data exist only on paper, copy them and keep the copy elsewhere. Consider making a copy of your lab book.

8. Together with your supervisor devise a list of dates for the first drafts of each chapter. This will help focus your mind! Timetable for thesis writing

9. Don’t despair if supervisor covers your first draft with red ink! They want to help you write the best thesis possible – they have more experience in thesis writing than you do! PLEASE check you spelling/grammar before giving the draft to your supervisor The first draft

10. Sometimes helpful for others to read your chapters Another staff member may be able to help with a particular chapter Only show them a revised version, so that they do not waste time correcting your grammar, spelling, poor construction or presentation. The almost final draft

11. 1.Need more detail than a paper 2.Person reading it should be able to repeat all your experiments 3.Make sure that you clearly state if other people performed any of the work. How much information?

12. 1.Complete intention to submit forms before 1 Feb for Summer and before 1 May for Winter graduation. 2.Submit thesis by 1 May or 15 September. 3.You need to make at least 2 soft-bound copies plus fill in lots of forms. Check that you know what is needed well in advance. Details are given on: http://www.qub.ac.uk/fmhs/pg/research.html Administration

13. 1.Find a comfortable place to work 2.Remember to eat healthily 3.Take some time off to take exercise 4.Excessive use of caffeine and alcohol is counter-productive when thesis writing 5.Remember your friends and family and make some time for them as well (n.b. do not spend all your time moaning to them about the thesis!) Look after yourself!

14. Remember your thesis will never be perfect BUT try to have as few errors as possible

15. Oral examination procedure 1.Make clear to candidate that whole professional career depends on performance 2.Ask hardest question first 3.Be stern to candidate but friendly to other examiner 4.Make all questions very complicated

16. Oral examination procedure -2 5.Force candidate into trivial error, just after they spot mistake correct them disdainfully 6.Never help candidate out of hole – sigh and shift to new subject 7.Ask snide questions – didn’t you learn that in first year? 8.Permit no clarifying questions, never repeat question. Tell candidate not to think out loud - you want the answer!

17. Oral examination procedure - 3 9. Keep asking if candidate is nervous 10. Make sure candidate can not look at all examiners 11. Wear dark glasses 12. Terminate with – Don’t call us, we’ll call you

18. The Viva Although this is an exam – it is different from normal – The candidate knows more about the subject than the examiners! Most examiners ask questions because they want to find out more not to attack you. Questions are often simpler than you think!

19. The Viva Let the examiners finish the question! You do not have to answer 1 nanosecond after they finish speaking – engage brain before engaging mouth! If necessary stall by using phrases like – that is a good question. Examiners do not want to fail candidates!

20. Examiners recommendations i.Degree be awarded for the thesis as it stands; ii.Degree be awarded subject to minor adjustments being made to the thesis (within 3 months PhD, 2 months MD). iii.Thesis be revised and re-submitted at a later date. Examiners must indicate whether or not another oral examination will be required. iv.Master’s degree be awarded (with/without minor changes) v.Thesis be revised and re-submitted for a master’s degree at a later date, with or without another oral examination. vi.No degree be awarded.

21. After the Viva Do NOT worry about having to make corrections – this is normal! Get them out of the way as soon as possible BUT do try and relax after the Viva. Although you remember every single stammer, stutter, odd answer – no one else will!