The document provides tips for PhD students preparing for their viva voce exam. It recommends re-reading one's thesis and keeping up with recent research. It stresses believing in oneself and seeing examiners as interested parties rather than adversaries. Students should prepare a list of errors in the thesis to show preparation. Creating a list of the top 20 most important papers referenced and writing brief summaries demonstrates familiarity with the literature. Common exam questions focus on a thesis's original contributions, conclusions, and how it advances the field. Overall, the document emphasizes thorough preparation and confidence in one's work.
1. VIVA VOICE TIPS FOR PHD
A COMPLETE GUIDANCE
http://phdizone.com/
2. Re-read your thesis – and keep up-to-date
with research
Don’t underestimate the amount of time the examiners will have spent reading and
thinking about your thesis – however, you should remember that you are still likely to be the
“expert in the room” on this particular topic. Check to see if any relevant recent papers have
emerged since submitting the thesis and, if so, read these.
3. Believe in yourself.
You have spent the last few years reading about, writing about and doing your
project. You are the expert; you know your stuff, remember that.
Don’t see the examiners as evil torturers who get kicks out of making you suffer.
They want you to pass. However, if you go in thinking that they want you to fail you’ll
not only be more scared, you’ll also be more defensive, which isn’t always a good
thing.
Instead try to think of your examiners as people who are really interested in what
you have done and who understand all the problems and pitfalls associated with
research, Trust yourself
4. Prepare a list of errors.
You will undoubtedly spot a few typos,
and maybe worse, when you reread your
thesis. Don’t be embarrassed, just make a
list and bring it with you to the viva. It
shows that you’ve prepared, and your
examiners will be grateful that they don’t
have to waste time on boring editing.
(Note: even if you find typos, don’t start
editing until after your viva!)
5. Make a list of your top 20 papers.
Go through each of your chapters and list the papers that were most important to the research
(standing on the shoulders of giants and all that). You might have 20-30 at the end. If you have
time, write a paragraph on each, focusing on the methods and results. But remember, this viva
is about your work. You are not expected to know every paper you’ve referenced inside and
out. In the end, I probably didn’t need to do all of this extra work, but “the literature” is one of
the things that PhD students often feel nervous about, I certainly did! Having done this
preparation I felt confident that I could hold my own, and so it was definitely worth the effort.
(It may vary depending on your institution, but I was allowed to bring these notes into my
viva. I didn’t refer to them once, but it was a confidence booster and it meant I didn’t have that
feeling of having to cram for an exam).
6.
7. Most common questions
What are the most original (or value-added) parts of your thesis?
Which propositions or findings would you say are distinctively your own?
How do you think your work takes forward or develops the literature in this field?
What are the ‘bottom line’ conclusions of your research? How innovative or valuable are they? What
does your work tell us that we did not know before?
