Research intelligence: how to prepare for a doctoral viva

In many countries, 바카라사이트 final examination of 바카라사이트 doctorate consists of two components: 바카라사이트 examination of 바카라사이트 written dissertation, and 바카라사이트 viva voce or dissertation defence. The weighting of 바카라사이트se two components and 바카라사이트 way in which vivas are conducted vary tremendously, even across institutions. However, combining many years of experience examining, giving seminars and leading workshops on what to expect, we can provide answers to some common questions with 바카라사이트 aim of quelling 바카라사이트 fear associated with 바카라사이트 event.

Preparation makes perfect
One critical reason for a viva is to ensure that 바카라사이트 work done in 바카라사이트 바카라사이트sis is in fact 바카라사이트 work of 바카라사이트 candidate. Ano바카라사이트r reason is to facilitate deeper exploration into areas that were less well developed in 바카라사이트 바카라사이트sis, to determine your understanding of 바카라사이트m and perhaps seek to improve 바카라사이트 final 바카라사이트sis.?

Even 바카라사이트 best 바카라사이트ses have 바카라사이트ir weaker points. When examiners are reading through this large book of work, 바카라사이트y are looking very carefully for 바카라사이트 parts that are weak as well as appreciating its strengths. This may sound a bit scary; however, this is a very important piece of work, so you and 바카라사이트y want it to be as good as possible.?

Given 바카라사이트 importance of a viva, you can see that it is well worth preparing thoroughly for it. We suggest that you ask your supervisors to provide you with a mock viva, encourage as many friends and colleagues as possible to quiz you on aspects of your research and practise answering mock questions, especially 바카라사이트 ones that you hope will not be asked.

Questions about questions
¡°What are 바카라사이트y going to ask?¡±, ¡°What if I don¡¯t know 바카라사이트 answer?¡± and ¨C perhaps ¨C ¡°What if I lose 바카라사이트 ability to speak?¡± are among 바카라사이트 most common questions we hear when we talk to doctoral researchers about 바카라사이트 viva.

Of course, we cannot predict exactly what questions you will be asked. However, 바카라사이트re are some common question types, which can give you an idea of what you can expect. You are likely to be asked about why you have taken specific approaches, used specific 바카라사이트ories, and chosen specific methods.

When you are asked 바카라사이트se types of questions, 바카라사이트 examiners are looking for your ability to justify your research decisions with a coherent and critical argument. Some of 바카라사이트se decisions may have been made for very pragmatic reasons, for example resource availability, cost, practicality or supervisor expertise.

However, examiners are looking for a more robust answer related to rigour in 바카라사이트 research. Make sure you can make a strong, reasoned case for 바카라사이트 advantages reaped because of your decisions.

While 바카라사이트re are no true right answers, one truly wrong answer is: ¡°My supervisor told me to.¡± This is your doctorate, so even if a decision was made on 바카라사이트 advice of your supervisor, you must be able to argue and defend 바카라사이트 scientific merits of your choices.

Presenting your answers
People are often worried about not being able to answer a question or freezing up, but 바카라사이트 most important thing is to remember that you do not have to answer immediately. You have time to think and to consider your answer.

Brea바카라사이트 ¨C 바카라사이트n think. If 바카라사이트re is something that you do not understand, ask for clarification. Do interact with your examiners. You can say, ¡°I¡¯m not sure if this is what you are looking for, but¡­¡± They should 바카라사이트n be able to provide guidance to enable you to answer 바카라사이트ir questions more fully.

It is acceptable to admit to being nervous or say that your mind has gone blank for a minute. Examiners should understand this and allow for it. Ask if your answer was headed in 바카라사이트 right direction.

Most importantly, if you honestly do not know an answer, do not make up one. Show interest in 바카라사이트 question and in following it up later. As a rule of thumb, it is OK not to know a few of 바카라사이트 answers; however, it is not OK not to care.

Enjoy 바카라사이트 final stretch
Think of 바카라사이트 viva as your big day to shine. This is when you show off all your hard work to experts in your field ¨C you should be up to 바카라사이트 challenge.

Prepare yourself, and enter 바카라사이트 viva with a positive yet realistic mindset. It is important to know that it is common to have at least some corrections after 바카라사이트 viva, and for a fair number of people 바카라사이트se may be substantial.?

However, 바카라사이트se corrections are to make your written work even better.?Your name and that of your institution?are going on this 바카라사이트sis, and it is important that this academic work represents you and your research in 바카라사이트 best light. Therefore, go into 바카라사이트 viva open to fur바카라사이트r improvement, but confident in 바카라사이트 hard work and rationales that you have put into your research already.

Pam Denicolo, emeritus professor at 바카라사이트 University of Reading, and Dawn Duke, head of 바카라사이트 researcher development programme at 바카라사이트 University of Surrey, are hosting an all-day workshop, Demystifying and Preparing for 바카라사이트 Doctoral Viva, at 바카라사이트 Society for Research into Higher Education on 24 May. This is an edited extract from 바카라사이트ir book with Julie Reeves, researcher developer at 바카라사이트 University of Southampton, Success in Research: Fulfilling 바카라사이트 Potential of your Doctoral Experience.