the process of Viva and different outcomes

1. Understanding the process and outcomes of the viva

2. Three horror stories by graduate students Research project Supervisor/co-supervisors External and/or internal examiners

3. What is a viva? The oral part of the examination

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

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

21. Abstract

22. Research problems and objectives

23. Scope and relevance

24. Literature review

25. Methodology

26. Analysis and interpretation of data

27. Presentation of thesis

28. References

29. Accomplishments and/or merits

30. Demerits

34. Interpretation of finding logical/acceptable

35. Analysis of data correct

39. Findings contributed to new knowledge and has application

41. Author has addressed the impact of the study

42. Others (eg. language, relevance, content)12. Recommendation

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

51. Result is announced

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?

63. Showing reluctance to engage in discussion

64. Showing disrespect to the examiners

65. Getting angry

66. Getting defensive

67. Asking examiners questions

68. Showing examiners that you do not know your work; confused

70. Pass Have satisfied the examiners on academic knowledge and competency Accepted 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 syntax Accepted 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-examination Examination committee are not satisfied with thesis defence or competency in the field of study Oral re-examination should be held within 60 dyas after the date of first viva

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

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 corrections Work with your supervisor Plan a work agenda Make sure that corrections are made in a timely manner Agree on a work agenda and timing

82. Life after the viva and final submission of thesis Celebrate Find employment Continue the supervisor-colleague academic relationship

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

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

100. Thank you