An Imperfect Thesis
“Submitted is perfect” was a piece of thesis writing advice that jumped out to me on Twitter a few weeks ago. I wish I could remember where I saw it, though I imagine the person sharing it was not unique...
corrections
No Early Updates
Between submission and the viva you might spot some changes you want to make in your thesis. Perhaps you see a typo that has to be amended, a sentence that could be simpler or a diagram that’s just not right....
The Last Correction
Most PhD candidates are given corrections to complete after the viva. Typically examiners give a list of typos, clear instruction on sections that need to be revised and so on. While they’re often not too numerous or too onerous, corrections...
Identifying Mistakes
Typos matter because they need correcting. It’s important to work towards your thesis being as clear and polished as possible – but it also helps you to know that perfection is an ideal. Most PhD candidates have to complete corrections...
Get Corrections Done
Big or small, whether they feel fair or not, after the viva just get your thesis corrections done. Your examiners will be clear about what needs doing and why – if there’s any doubt in your mind, ask them. Corrections...
Disagreement Is Not Disaster
If one of your examiners doesn’t agree with some aspect of your work that doesn’t automatically mean you fail. It doesn’t mean the outcome of the viva jumps to major corrections. And it doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. It...
Do Your Corrections
If your examiners ask you to complete corrections for your thesis after the viva there’s a reason. Corrections don’t mean you did anything wrong. Most candidates are asked to complete them because it’s hard to get everything right. Just get...
Winning The Viva
When your viva is all done there’s no gold medal for no corrections. You don’t get a little asterisk on your certificate for minor corrections. No corrections, minor corrections, major corrections. Different outcomes that mean the same thing: you’ve passed....
The Dream of No Corrections
Dreams do come true. Sometimes. But wishing and dreaming that you get no corrections for your thesis is a fantasy that’s best left alone. Some candidates find out at the end of their viva that they have no corrections to...
Everyone Makes Miskates
Corrections aren’t a sign you’ve necessarily done something wrong in your thesis. The request from your examiners is a helping hand to make your thesis as good as it could reasonably be, given that your thesis is a permanent contribution...