Facts, Opinions, Hunches
I know. I think. I feel.
There’s a place for all in the viva, potentially.
Some questions will hit a target made up of facts. Things you know. Things you have discovered.
For some questions you weigh up information against your experience and knowledge. You think and offer what you think is appropriate. Perhaps someone else could think differently.
Then you could be asked a question and you don’t have an answer. You have nothing to weigh up. Instead you could offer what your gut feeling says. A hunch you can’t shake. This could be right or wrong – and there might be no way of anyone knowing.
You can know, think or feel in the viva. In all cases you have to be clear. Be clear with what you’re saying to your examiners. Be clear in your own mind so that you don’t confuse yourself.
Listen to the question, pause and then see: do you know, think or feel your response?