You Are Here

Tag: viva acronym

Nathan

I For Interesting

Daily Post

Long time readers might remember my acronym VIVA that I find helpful for reflecting on thesis chapters. In brief:

  • What is valuable in the chapter?
  • What do you find interesting about the research?
  • Is there anything vague in what you’ve presented?
  • Are there any questions you think you’ll ask your examiners?

All of these can be useful to start a process of reflection and write a summary. The second word, interesting, provides encouragement as well.

When you think about what you find interesting you get a little lift. “This is what got me hooked,” or “This is why I wanted to know more.”

Perhaps even, “This is what helped me keep going.”

It’s worth reflecting on this as you prepare for your viva. What did you find interesting in your research? Why did it draw you in? What did you find? What would you love to share with others?

Nathan

A VIVA For Examiners

Daily Post

I use VIVA as a little acronym-tool for reflecting on one’s research ahead of the viva:

  • Valuable (to others): what might someone else find useful in your work?
  • Interesting (to you): what do you find fascinating about your work?
  • Vague (or unclear): what do you find difficult to talk about or explain?
  • Ask (your examiners): given the chance, what would you ask your examiners at the viva?

It’s a helpful tool and can be particularly helpful when thinking about the thesis chapter-by-chapter.

I’ve found it useful sometimes to take the VIVA prompts and apply them to other aspects of the viva as well. For example, what if we took the prompts and considered your examiners?

  • Valuable: what might your examiners find useful in your work?
  • Interesting: how can you make connections between your research and their interests?
  • Vague: do you foresee any difficulties in communicating your work to them?
  • Ask: given the chance, what would you ask your examiners at the viva?

OK, OK, the last question didn’t change! But there are still four good reflection on your examiners ahead of your viva!

Nathan

Easy-To-Remember

Daily Post

Here’s a short, easy-to-remember, viva prep exercise for when you read a chapter of your thesis.

Take a sheet of paper and divide it into four equal parts. Reflect on each of the following four points and make notes on the paper:

  • When you think about the chapter what is valuable to others?
  • What was interesting to you? What sparked your fascination when you were doing it?
  • Were any points in the chapter vague or unclear as you read them now? Reflect on what could help you to explain them to others.
  • Finally, is there anything you would like to ask your examiners? The viva is a conversation so what would you ask?

I first thought of this idea over ten years ago and have been developing the concept ever since. I’ve written about it a few times before on the Viva Survivors blog (here are some other times). I like it because it’s an easy-to-remember exercise with an easy-to-remember acronym.

  • Valuable to others;
  • Interesting to you;
  • Vague or unclear;
  • Ask your examiners.

See, easy-to-remember! 🙂