Daily viva help for PhDs
Tension is created when opposing perspectives meet, in the viva or elsewhere. In daily life that could be very challenging depending on the situation, but it doesn’t have to be that way in the viva. Disagreement in the viva just...
You don’t need to be afraid of finding typos. For the most part when someone finds a typo, at worst, it will distract them. A very, very, very minor frustration. For an examiner it is something to record in some...
The most common viva situation in the UK includes two examiners, one internal and one external. Some universities have independent chairs to steer and confirm the process, and in most cases a supervisor is allowed to attend with the candidate’s...
Lots of questions have answers. Answers are things that are known: factually accurate, true or perhaps established as a logical argument with sufficient supporting reasons and information. If you were asked a question and needed to find an answer in...
Do a little homework when your examiners are selected. Make notes on each of them and concentrate on the following questions and points: Why were they asked to be your examiners? Knowing the relevance of their selection gives you helpful information....
Your examiners are interested in your work. They have to be, or they just wouldn’t be there. Your examiners are prepared for the viva. Like you, they have to get ready to do this particular event. Your examiners are experienced....
No matter how much work you put into your research and thesis, or how much time you spend on viva prep, there’s always something that your examiners could say or ask that you haven’t anticipated. And no matter what they...
There’s a general expectation that a candidate will pass their viva if they’ve submitted their thesis. The pass rate is so high that reaching that stage is a really good sign that success will follow in due course. But the...
Cite examiners in your bibliography before you consider them for examiners. Cite examiners because their work is relevant. Cite examiners because you’ve used their results, conclusions or ideas in some way for your own research. Don’t cite people if their...
An important expectation for the UK viva is that it is private. Members of the public don’t attend and you’ll never have an audience present while you talk with your examiners. Two examiners, one internal and one external, is the...