The Viva Experience

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The Viva Experience
Dr Harriet Hogarth University of
Southampton harriet.hogarth_at_soton.ac.uk
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Some ideas for during the viva
Begin with "Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise for
the singing of the National Anthem."
Follow that with a joke that starts with "Which
reminds me of a story An Englishman, a Scotsman
and an Irishman walked into a bar..."
Describe parts of your dissertation using
interpretive dance.
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Answer tough queries with "You call THAT a
question? How'd you ever get to be a professor?"
Answer complex issues in mime.
Use the occasion to hold a Tupperware party.
Use a Greek Chorus to highlight important points.
Explain non-significant findings with "It would
have worked if it weren't for those bloody
participants."
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What is the PhD viva?

• One of the two ways in which PhDs examined

• Candidates for the PhD degree must submit a
  thesis and be examined orally

• A discussion between you and your examiners

• Usually takes the form of being asked questions
  about the thesis and future research

• Also sometimes called a defence

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How does it work? 1
Before the viva

• Examiners sent thesis

• Prepare independent preliminary reports

• Examine each others reports

• Come to preliminary judgement which they
  sometimes (very rarely) communicate to candidate

• Arrange viva date

• Each examiners complies lists of questions and
  queries they have about the thesis

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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

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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

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Decision Time
The five decisions examiners can make
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if the thesis fulfils the criteriaand the
candidate satisfies the examiners in all other
parts of the examination the examiners will
report that the candidate has satisfied them
(pass)
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2
if the thesis otherwise fulfils the criteria but
requires minor amendments. require the candidate
to make within a certain time periodamendments
specified by them (provisional pass with minor
changes)
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3
if the thesis, though inadequate, shall seem of
sufficient meritthe 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)
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4
if, after completion of the examinationthe
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 mightsatisfy 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)
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The examiners may determine that the candidate
has not satisfied them in the examination. (fail)
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What are examiners looking for? 1
Check your own university PhD regulations
examiners use
The scope of the thesis shall be what might
reasonably be expected after three or at most
four years of full-time study.
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The thesis shall
form a distinct contribution to the knowledge of
the subject and afford evidence of originality
be an integrated whole and present a coherent
argument
give a critical assessment of the relevant
literature, describe the method of research and
its findings, include discussion on those
findings and indicate in what respects they
appear to the candidate to advance the study of
the subject
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What are examiners looking for? 2
Does the thesis itself meet the criteria?
What evidence can be gathered in the viva to
establish if the thesis meets the criteria?
Is it candidates own work?
Clarification of points made in thesis
Clarification and extension of argument,
rationale, logic, etc.
Explanation for/identification of
errors Questions about things not in thesis
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What are examiners looking for? 3
If thesis broadly sound and no/few changes needed
Does candidate understand what theyve done?
Are they aware of strengths and
weaknesses Beyond the thesis itself does
candidate know more than they have written that
they maybe should add?
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If thesis probably not sound and major changes
needed
What are problems and how did they come about?
How much does candidate really know?
Just how substantial do changes need to be? Is
another viva necessary?
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Preparing for the viva 1
Have a mock viva (highly recommended)
Supervisor, other PhD students, etc
Give them copy of thesis or at least a chapter
Ask them to do what examiners do
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Read the thesis carefully again yourself
Does the overall argument make sense?
What are the problems and limitations?
Can you explain account for them?
Have you spotted mistakes, omissions, etc? Talk
to others about their viva experiences (as
candidates or examiners)
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Prepare questions and try to answer them (even if
you think youve answered them in the thesis)
such as
Why did you do things in this order?
Why did you exclude some areas of literature?
Why are your research questions interesting or
important?
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What are the main weaknesses with what you did
and why are they there?
If you did it again what would you do differently?
What is the main contribution of your
thesis? How would you build on this research?
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The Viva
Think of it as a conversation but one where
You do have to defend and explain what youve done
But dont try to defend the indefensible or
explain the inexplicable. If examiners point out
error or something that doesnt make sense, and
you can see it, you should accept it If you dont
understand a question ask for clarification
dont try to answer questions you dont
understand
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Remember that all research has weaknesses and
limitations
The mark of being a competent researcher is
recognising, anticipating, acknowledging and
overcoming weaknesses
And dont forget to be clear about whats good
about it. Its also necessary to demonstrate you
understand the contribution your work has made
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Common viva surprises
Any anxiety you have disappears fast when you get
going
It goes much faster than you think it will
The examiners really have read the thesis
YOU ARE THE EXPERT OF YOUR THESIS -you know a lot
more about your area of research than you realised
The examiners point out good things in the thesis
you didnt know were there
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You actually quite enjoy it!