Exploring Context

A key part of a viva discussion might be really getting to the heart of why you did something.

What motivated your research? Why was it worth doing? Why did YOU want to do it?

What was the need?

Why did you use your methods as opposed to other approaches? How did you select them and how did you come to think they were the best way to tackle your research problems?

A response to any of these questions might involve unsolved problems, supervisor advice, your gut feelings, your personal history, necessity, limitations and constraints, things you want to say and things you’d rather not. Exploring the context for your research helps you and your examiners discuss what you did, why you did it and how you did it. Whatever’s true will help you to have that discussion.

Be clear, share detail and explore your context at the viva. Get ready for this by finding opportunities to rehearse before you meet your examiners.