Reflecting on your research contribution is a very helpful part of viva preparation. Discussing what you have done and what it means is definitely going to come up during your viva!
To make the most out of reflecting on your contribution then try some of the following steps:
- Set aside time purposefully. Plan occasions when you will reflect.
- Use questions to prompt deliberate reflection.
- Write down thoughts or summaries. Thinking alone could lead to forgetting.
- Make space to come back to your notes or summaries.
The last point is helpful to allow you to refresh your memory or even to build upon what you’ve thought through previously.
Using questions won’t lead to perfect scripts you can read from in the viva, but it will help build the words that will come more easily when you meet your examiners.
