How To Survive Your Viva Defending A Thesis In An Oral Examination

How to Survive Your Viva.

This indispensable book helps PhD candidates to understand the viva process and to prepare and present their work in the best possible manner. With concrete guidance, examples and activities throughout, it covers everything from the constitution of the PhD viva panel and how to prepare as the event draws closer to typical questions and how to answer them. Chapters are enriched with authentic case studies and insights from successful PhD graduates. This text is suitable for PhD and other doctoral degree students across all disciplines, and helpful to supervisors and examiners.

For those undertaking a higher degree research qualification, 'How To Survive Your Thesis' describes clearly the challenges and complexities of successfully engaging in both the research process and thesis writing.

What criteria are used to assess the scholarly merit of a thesis? What is the level of conceptualization that is expected in doctoral theses? How can you prepare to defend your thesis? What is the most effective route to achieving your doctorate? The starting point to achieving your doctorate is to appreciate how your thesis will be examined. The criteria that examiners use, the questions they ask in vivas and their reports provide templates against which theses are judged. So, why not start from this endpoint as you plan, undertake, write and defend your research? This book focuses specifically on how you, as a doctoral candidate, can raise your level of thinking about your chosen topic. Doing so will improve the quality of your research and ultimately contribute to knowledge. It also explores the nature of conceptualization which is sought by examiners in theses. As a candidate, the book provides those essential characteristics of doctorateness that examiners expect to find in your thesis. The book will also appeal to supervisors, examiners and those who conduct workshops for doctoral candidates and supervisors. This practical book includes extracts from theses, examiner reports and cameo accounts from doctoral examiners, supervisors and candidates. It also contains numerous visual models that explain relationships and processes for you to apply and use in your doctoral journey. Based upon contemporary practice, Stepping Stones to Achieving your Doctorate is an essential tool for doctoral candidates, supervisors and examiners.

***** Amazon reviews for the second edition: "Again, Rowena Murray nails it! A perfectly balanced guide outlining truly useful tips to getting through your viva from someone who knows." "This is an excellent book. I found the book helpful in giving me a good understanding of what to expect, how to start with focusing on the specific areas suggested and how to develop my own style in marking up my thesis ... It certainly reduced my nerves going in knowing I had suggested areas fully prepared. A must have for anyone doing a viva!" How to Survive Your Viva 3e is a concise, practical introduction that equips students with the skills they need to defend their thesis or dissertation. The oral examination requires the highest standard of communication skills. The book ensures you are ready for what can be a complex and intimidating experience, telling you what to expect, how to practise and prepare, what questions you might be asked and how to ensure your responses support your thesis. Written in an accessible style, this book draws on the tried and trusted material and activities created for viva preparation workshops run by the author over many years. Thoroughly updated but retaining its well-loved style, this 3rd edition provides: Planning tools for you to employ, plus summaries at the start of each chapter to help you prepare Checklists of how to do well in your oral examination, with action points to clarify what you should do next Example questions with samples of strong and weak answers, plus narratives of students’ real viva experiences More on research into viva questions and different types of questions you may be asked, including specialist ones in your discipline Advice on condensing your rationale, framework, methods and findings into a short verbal statement New material on maintaining positive body language, posture and eye contact for an assertive and calm viva The third edition is the essential handbook for all students and researchers anticipating an undergraduate, Masters or doctoral examination. It is also an invaluable reference for supervisors, tutors and examiners.

The viva is the oral examination of your PhD thesis. It's the last step towards that "Dr." title and is not to be taken lightly.But that doesn't mean it should be feared. This book will help you to approach the viva with confidence. It includes insights into what your examiners are looking for as well as a useful guide to the steps you can take to make sure you are fully prepared to defend your thesis.The toolkit includes 100 sample questions to help you anticipate what the examiners might ask you about *your research question*the literature*your methodology*your findings and conclusions*the contribution your research makes*your development as a researcher, and*your future plans.It also provides more than 25 tips to help you prepare effectively for the viva, and to help you to be at your best on the day.

"How to Write a Thesis can be read with profit by anyone who writes professionally, whether proposals, reports, monographs or a thesis. It is oriented to someone writing a PhD thesis, but has a lot to say about writing in general. It deals with the process of writing rather than detailed content, and is applicable regardless of discipline" SRA "This is the book that all PhD supervisors and their students have been waiting for: the first comprehensive overview of the many different writing practices, and processes, involved in the production of a doctoral thesis. Crammed full of explanations, shortcuts and tips, this book demystifies academic writing in one fell swoop. Everyone who reads it will be massively enabled as a writer." Professor Lynne Pearce, Associate Dean for Postgraduate Teaching, University of Lancaster "Rowena Murray's down-to-earth approach both recognises and relieves some of the agony of writing a PhD. The advice in this book is both practical and motivational; sometimes it's 'PhD-saving' too. By using Rowena Murray's techniques of regular snacking, instead of occasional bingeing, I managed to rescue my PhD from near-death at a time of work overload." Christine Sinclair, Part-time PhD student and lecturer in Educational Development, University of Paisley This book evolved from fifteen years' experience of teaching thesis writing. The contents have been tried and tested with postgraduates and academics. Early chapters explore the ambiguities and subtleties of thesis writing in detail. Later chapters are more compact, listing steps in the writing process. All chapters provide examples to illustrate techniques and activities to progress writing.

This highly practical guide provides information that will help research students avoid needless mistakes. It informs and advises you about many of the important facets of postgraduate research, including: what it means to conduct research at doctoral level the requirements for independence, contribution to knowledge, originality and suitability for publication planning a research project over a period of time responsible research practice criteria used in the examination of a PhD. Getting a PhD is an essential handbook for PhD students and provides plenty of useful advice for Masters students or undergraduates conducting a research project.