Th viva
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The document provides guidance for graduate students on preparing for and undergoing the viva voce (oral defense) examination process. It discusses what a viva is, why they are held, how to prepare, what to expect during the examination, tips for success, potential outcomes, and advice on working with supervisors before and after the viva. Key points covered include presenting research clearly, being prepared to discuss all aspects of the thesis, maintaining composure during questioning, and making corrections or revisions as required by examiners' feedback.
Th viva
- 1. Understanding the process and outcomes of the viva
- 2. Three horror stories by graduate studentsResearch projectSupervisor/co-supervisorsExternal and/or internal examiners
- 3. What is a viva?The oral part of the examination
- 4. Why hold a viva?To examine the academic content and scholastic level of thesis
- 5. To provide candidates with the opportunity to defend the thesis
- 6. To explore and explain the design, methodology and outcome of the research
- 7. To discuss the research
- 8. To provide evidence to help the examiners arrive at a judgement about the defence of the thesis
- 9. To enable the examiners to make a recommendation to the university about the thesisPreparation before vivaPractise your presentation
- 10. Know where the venue is ( if possible, visit the viva room)
- 11. Decide where to wait
- 12. Make sure that you are well-rested and eat appropriately
- 13. Wear comfortable clothes that make you look smart
- 14. Do not let stress drive you
- 15. Sit quietly and reflect
- 16. Make sure you know your work- conceptual framework, how each part fits together and what you have achieved
- 17. Bring a copy of your thesis (tag key chapters), pen, writing paper and a summary sheet of main points
- 18. Be relaxed but alert
- 19. Remember you would not have come this far if your work was not passable or interesting
- 20. Avoid negative people on the day(s) before the vivaGuide to examiner’s reportThesis topic (title)
- 21. Abstract
- 22. Research problems and objectives
- 25. Methodology
- 26. Analysis and interpretation of data
- 28. References
- 30. Demerits
- 31. RecommendationExaminers report1. Thesis topic/title Grammatically correct
- 32. Contains keywords found in abstract and reflects the actual research issues2. AbstractAccurate – brief statement of problem or objectives, concise description of methods and design, summary of major findings, brief conclusion3. Research problem/objectivesDetermine whether the background to the research issues is well discussed, the research problem is well-defined and the hypotheses addresses the problem, objectives are clearly stated and met by methods/design and findingsExaminers report (contd.)4) Scope and RelevanceDetermine whether the study is appropriate for the degree, field of study, research issues, practicability of research problems and research objectives 5) Literature Review Relevant to the research issues, comprehensive, well-reviewed, summarised, organised
- 33. Proportionate to the rest of the thesis6) MethodologyStrengths and weakness of data, research design/methods suitable, clearly described, appropriate statistical method used7) Analysis and interpretation of resultsResults are in agreement with objectives
- 34. Interpretation of finding logical/acceptable
- 35. Analysis of data correct
- 36. Findings are discussed with appropriate referencesExaminers report (contd.)8) PresentationSequence of chapters able to facilitate the understanding of research issues
- 37. Tables and figures are properly labeled and clear9) References/bibliographyCurrent, extensive and correct format
- 38. Missing references or wrong citations10) Accomplishments and/or meritsIndicate that findings are clearly identified and discussed
- 39. Findings contributed to new knowledge and has application
- 40. Other accomplishments11) DemeritsMain weakness of research
- 41. Author has addressed the impact of the study
- 42. Others (eg. language, relevance, content)12. Recommendation
- 43. What happens at the viva session?Before candidate enters the room, the chairperson of the examination committee will invite the examiners to comment on the thesis in terms of knowledge and competency
- 44. A discussion on the comments made in the reports will follow
- 45. A note will be made where clarification is required
- 46. Candidate invited to present (not more than 20 mins)
- 47. Q & A session
- 48. Candidate leaves the room
- 49. Examination committee discusses the presentation and thesis, make a conclusion and recommendation
- 50. Candidate is re-invited back to the room
- 52. Candidate is informed of amendments required ( where appropriate)Generic questionsHow did you come about choosing this research area?
- 53. Explain the main theories or approaches to the project
- 54. In retrospect, were there other theories you could have considered?
- 55. What methodologies did you select and why?
- 56. In retrospect, were there other methodologies you could have considered?
- 57. Were there any particularly problematic moments that were difficult? How did you overcome them?
- 58. What were the main findings?
- 59. How did these findings relate to previous work?
- 60. What are the implications/significance of your finding?
- 61. Are you going to take this work further?Do’s and don’ts during the vivaAnswer questions clearly and conciselyBe able to refer to the thesis; do not fumble through the thesis (use tags to mark key chapters)Use eye contactAsk for clarification if you do not understand the questionRelate to and answer the questionsIf problems are pointed out, think carefully; agree or provide your point of view (indicate issues that are beyond the scope of the thesis)Talk as an intellectual
- 62. How to fail a vivaOne word or irrelevant answers
- 63. Showing reluctance to engage in discussion
- 64. Showing disrespect to the examiners
- 65. Getting angry
- 68. Showing examiners that you do not know your work; confused
- 69. Not understanding the questionsGuide to the outcome of the viva1) PASSAccepted with Distinction Accepted with Minor ModificationAccepted with Major ModificationsRe-examination or resubmission 2) Oral re-examination3) Re-submission of thesis4) Resubmission of PhD thesis as a Masters thesis5) FAIL
- 70. PassHave satisfied the examiners on academic knowledge and competencyAccepted with distinction – when all or most of research findings have either been published or accepted for publication in citation-indexed journal and requires minimal improvement in spelling, grammar and syntaxAccepted with minor modifications – any of the following: reformatting of chapters, revision of literature, improvement in declaring research objectives or statements, insertion of missing references, amendments of inaccurately cited references, improvements in spelling, grammar and syntax (given 60 days after date of viva to submit the thesis to SGS)Accepted with major modications – extensive revision of entire thesis to improve quality such as description of methodology, statistical analysis of data, removal of research chapters(s) , rediscussion of results and improvements of spelling, grammar and syntax (60 days with a provision for an extension to 60 days or more)
- 71. Oral re-examinationExamination committee are not satisfied with thesis defence or competency in the field of studyOral re-examination should be held within 60 dyas after the date of first viva
- 72. Re-submission of thesisWhen thesis does not meet the scope of the degree
- 73. Objectives of research were not met
- 74. Obvious flaws in experimental design and/or methodology
- 75. Additional experimental work or data collection is required
- 76. Resubmission within the period of not more than two semester or one year
- 77. Student must continue to be registered student
- 78. Student must comply to submission procedure
- 79. Resubmission is permitted once onlyResubmission of a PhD thesis as a Masters thesisIf thesis does not meet the scope of a doctoral thesis but is adequate for a Masters thesisAmendments recommended by thesis examination committee must be made and resubmitted within 60 days of viva
- 80. Fail A student is considered to have failed the examination if the thesis fails to meet the requirements of PhD or Masters academic level or found to have plagiarised
- 81. Dealing with correctionsWork with your supervisorPlan a work agenda Make sure that corrections are made in a timely mannerAgree on a work agenda and timing
- 82. Life after the viva and final submission of thesisCelebrateFind employmentContinue the supervisor-colleague academic relationship
- 83. Relationship with supervisorImportant and INTENSE professionally
- 84. Good relationship will have a happy ending
- 85. Choose your supervisor carefully, need to assess what you would like from supervisor and arrange things that will suit both parties
- 86. Some supervisors are more critical, more demanding, provide less emotional or technical support
- 87. No perfect match, ask yourself what you are willing to deal with
- 88. You are ultimately responsible for your workWhy do people become supervisors?To fulfill performance indicator?Direct order from Head of Dept?Feeling of duty?Love of working with students?Self-interest (to further their career)?Supervisors have other duties and problems such as lecturing, committees, meetings on curriculum, exams, academic advisors, ISO, administrative duties,write grants and fill in reports, frustration with bureaucracy, financial stress due to lack of research funding and infrastructure support, etc
- 89. To make the relationship workHave regular meetings with an agenda
- 90. Agree on meeting time, tasks and milestones
- 91. Keep supervisor informed on status of your work
- 92. Inform supervisor of interesting literature ; intellectual exchange result in synergy
- 93. Voice your concern about the research
- 94. Inform supervisor of feedback from your presentations
- 95. Inform supervisor of your change in personal circumstances
- 96. Be honest, articulate, informative, respectful
- 97. Don’t hide, ignore, gossip, denigrate, by-pass supervisor
- 98. Don’t mix business and personal issues
- 99. Don’t assume (in doubt always ask)When things go wrongNon-communicationHarassmentIntellectual property issues – obstruction, theft of workSeek assistance such as co-supervisors, third party who can moderate (faculty postgraduate co-ordinator or Deputy Dean)
- 100. Thank you