This presentation provides tips on preparing for the PhD viva examination. It is based on personal reflection from my experience.

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Tips for PhD viva preparation
Dr Sally Kah
Lecturer in Human Resource Management
e> S.Kah@ljmu.ac.uk

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Overview
• Steps to preparing for viva examination
• Before the examination
- What to expect
- During the examination
- Personal reflection from a ‘survivor’.
• Q&A

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A PhD is about…
o Knowing your field thoroughly
o Making a useful contribution
o Mastering appropriate techniques and knowing their limitations
o Communicating in a professional way
o Making something ‘your own’
Fisher (2012)

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Purpose of a viva examination
• The viva examination is a chance for research candidates to discuss their
work with experts.
• Its formal purpose is to ensure that there is no plagiarism involved, and that
the candidate understands and can explain their thesis.
• It involves lots of critical questions, conceptually complex debates and it is
known to be terrifying.

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Viva loading…

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Steps to preparing for viva
Step 1
• Read LJMU’s policies and practices to understand expectations.
• Research the examiners – their expertise, publications and interests.
Step 2
• Read blogs, books and watch videos about the viva experience.
• Research potential viva questions from LJMU and other institutions.
Step 3
• Write short summary of each chapter and use post it notes.
• Prepare potential questions in a Q&A document.
• Re-read the thesis and bookmark using post it notes.

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Step 4
• Prepare for the mock viva.
Step 5
• Re-read the thesis and double mark post it notes.
• Practice answering viva questions using viva cards.
Step 6
• Take your thesis to the examination.
• Don’t over rehearse the answers.
Steps to preparing for viva

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Before the examination – What to
expect
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• Before the viva, both the external and internal
examiners read the thesis.
•They had written preliminary reports.
• Before the viva starts, the examiners will meet and
discuss their preliminary reports.
•They will also discuss strategy.
Image: Flinders University

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During the examination – What to
expect
• The examiners started with polite introductions.
• They talked briefly about the process and my rights during the viva.
• Followed by an easy warm-up question, i.e. why did you choose to do a PhD?

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Some questions during the viva
What are the three papers that inspire your
research?
How did you develop your literature review?
Walk us through your theoretical framework.
Can you tell us current trend(s) in your area?
Why qualitative methodology?
What did you find? Why is it significant?
What is your contribution to theory?

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Areas to consider…
o About you – what disciplinary perspective are you
approaching this from? Your motivation for doing the
research topic.
o Research problem, aims, research questions.
o Methodology
o Findings
o Conclusions and contributions

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Quick questions to consider
o What have you done?
o Why have you done it?
o What have you found?
o What are the contributions/implications?

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Personal reflection
• Start your viva preparation in your final year.
• Talk about your thesis to family, friends and colleagues.
• Take advise, but be critical.
• Listen to your supervisory team.
• Update your literature with recent publications.
• Avoid journalistic writing.
• If you have practical implications, make sure you understand current
trends in the field.
• Prepare your notes.
• Do a mock viva.
• Sleep well. Eat well. Avoid caffeine & don’t stop reading.

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“Doing the best at this moment, puts you in the best place for the next moment”
Oprah Winfrey
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Insert ImageTHANK YOU

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USEFUL MATERIALS FOR VIVA PREPARATION
• Murray, R. (2009). How to survive your viva: Defending a thesis in an oral examination:
Defending a thesis in an oral examination.
• O p e n U n i v e r s i t y ( 2 0 0 9 ) . To p 4 0 p o t e n t i a l v i v a q u e s t i o n s . [ o n l i n e ]
http://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/ResearchEssentials/?p=156 (Accessed 16th October 2018).
• Philips, E. (2010). How to get a PhD: A handbook for students and their supervisors.
• Smith, P. (2014). The PhD viva: How to prepare for your oral examination. New York:
Macmillan, Palgrave.
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