The Session Will Begin Shortly › ... › day2_4b_viva.pdf · Viva & Oral Defence Preparation–...
Transcript of The Session Will Begin Shortly › ... › day2_4b_viva.pdf · Viva & Oral Defence Preparation–...
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
The Session Will Begin Shortly
1. Click on the pink Collaborate button (bottom right) to open the chat window and enter your message.
2. You can close the Collaborate panel at any time so you can see more of the current presentation.
3. Click on the menu icon at the top left when you want to exit the webinar
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Can You Hear Me?
If you can’t hear me, check your computer’s volume setting (bottom right of the screen in Windows, top right on a Mac)
Answer ‘Yes’ to the poll below if you can hear me.
If you still can’t hear me, click on Collaborate icon at the bottom right of the screen then on the gear button to configure your audio settings.
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Viva & Oral Defence Preparation–
An Oral Examination
Dr. Tamara O’Connor
Student Learning Development
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Objectives
• To view viva or oral defence as a performance
event – an oral examination
• To understand the principles of viva
• To understand the purpose of confirmation
• To explore ways to prepare for this type of exam
• To practise writing and answering questions
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Concerns? Issues?
Performance Event
• PhD is an examination – a performance event
• How do you prepare for any performance?
– Information gathering
– Preparation and Practice
– Skills development and performance rehearsal
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Understand the principles
A PhD is about….
– Knowing your field thoroughly
– Evaluating your subject
– Making a useful contribution
– Mastering appropriate techniques & knowing their
limitation
– Communicating in a professional way
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Purpose of viva
• Ascertain it is your own work
• Make sure you understand what you did
• Contribution to knowledge – worthy of PhD
“a deep intellectual conversation between experts
in a particular field (of whom the student, who has
worked on the particular topic for many eyars can
be regarded as the primary expert).”Trinity PhD Viva Guide, p.3
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Purpose of confirmation interview
• Clear understanding of project
• Research question or area forms valid subject for
doctoral thesis
• Evidence of research skills and competence
• Appropriate progress to date
• Foundation for PhD – approach, potential results
• Advice on possible directions research might
take
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Viva Voce Examination
• See college Calendar Part III and check local
information (school handbook/DTL-PG)
• Chair – Director Teaching & Learning (Postgraduate)
or nominee
• Examiners
– Internal
– External
• Supervisor – if attending only in observatory capacity
• Presentation – some schools have at start
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 15% 2%
Source: Tinkler and Jackson, The Doctoral Examination Process, SPHE & Open
University Press, Maidenhead: 2004, page 173
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
How long does it last?
Study of 87 social science PhD graduates from three
Irish HEIs
• 1 hour 30 min (39%)
• 2 hours (29%)
• Few respondents under 1 hour or more than 3
hours
Share (2016)
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Results
1. Degree awarded “as it stands”
2. Degree awarded subject to
“minor corrections”
3. Refer the thesis for
“re-examination following major revisions”
_____________________________
4. Lower degree awarded
5. Thesis should be failed
Reframe Event
The Viva/Continuation report . . . An Opportunity
• To discuss your work with experts
• To improve your arguments and
thesis
• To consider where to publish
– get free consultancy!
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
PORT Videoshttps://port.sas.ac.uk/mod/page/view.php?id=1927
• The viva as an experience -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C__QSSqoor4
• Examiner’s point of view -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg768JIcOMM
The Viva ... 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.
Twigg (1997)
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
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
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Preparation
• Revision and Summaries
– Re-read critically
– Review each chapter and summarise in points
– Defence of research
• Know limitations
• Emotional preparation
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Preparation
• Questions
– Anticipate questions and prepare sample answers
– Easy and hard questions
– Open, closed, probing, applied, general, specific
questions
– Especially ‘Why’ questions
• Develop skills and
techniques
https://port.sas.ac.uk/mod/page/view.php?id=1927
Viva strategies & skills
• Defining
– Define & illustrate
– Define & defend
Question: Why did you not do more detailed analysis of
…?
Defend: I did not do that because . . .
Define-defend: What I did was . . . My reasons for doing
that were…I could have…by… But I decided not to do
that because …
Murray (2003) pp.90-97
Answering strategies
• Defining
• Being specific
• Being explicit
• Elaborating
• Highlights
• Deflecting criticism
Murray (2003) pp.90-97
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
General answering techniques
“Thank you for that helpful comment…”
“That is a good question.”
“The answer is not straightforward…”
“Let me just clarify, you want to know about …?” or
“Can you please re-phrase that question?”
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Practice
• Graduated
• Answering questions
– With different people: students, staff, friends
– Using viva strategies and defence language
– Mental practice
• Discuss research with peers
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Key questions
• Why did you choose this topic?
• Spend 1 minute writing why you chose this topic
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Practice - Rehearsal
• Mock viva rehearsal with peer or fellow student
• Mock viva rehearsal with supervisor
• Familiarity with room
• Visualise viva
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Dealing with nerves!
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Pair work• Pick a possible viva question or create a
possible question
• Exchange it with your partner
• Take turns to practise your answer keeping in
mind what has been covered with regard to
effective presentations and tips for surviving
your viva
More sample questionshttp://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/ResearchEssentials/?p=156
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
On the day
• Be early
• Be careful what you wear
• Bring a drink
• Bring copy of thesis & corrections
• Energy management
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
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
• Good luck!
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
I found this workshop helpful.
1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Neither agree or disagree
4. Disagree
5. Strongly disagree
Student Learning Development
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
ReferencesMurray, R. (2003). How to survive your viva: Defending a thesis in an
oral examination. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Share, M. (2016). The PhD viva: a space for academic development. International
Journal for Academic Development, 21 (3), 178-193.
Tinkler, P. & Jackson, C. (2004). The Doctoral Examination Process. Maidenhead:
SPHE & Open University Press.
Twigg, D. (1997). Preparing for the PhD Viva. Retrieved from
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/Users/dt31/phdviva.html on 21 April 2008.
Trinity PhD viva guide. https://www.tcd.ie/graduatestudies/
PORT (2018). The viva. School of Advanced Study, University of London.
http://port.igrs.sas.ac.uk