Ideas for preparing for a PhD viva

At the very end of the PhD programme, there is a customary oral examination called the PhD viva. It happens after the thesis has been turned in and read by the designated examiners. Its major objective is to confirm that the candidate at issue actually wrote the submitted work and to provide examiners a chance to query, clarify, and criticise any points made in the thesis. Typically, it consists of the candidate, the internal examiner, and the external examiner. There are no other guidelines for how the examination is conducted, what questions the examiners may or may not ask, or even how long the viva should last, aside from these. As a result, while some PhD candidates can finish their defence in an hour, others must spend more than four hours doing so.

In the weeks and days leading up to their viva, PhD students are frequently highly apprehensive and stressed due to this level of "non-transparency" and its potential to affect their future jobs. The specifics of the viva and the environment can, however, differ greatly from instance to instance. How do I get ready for it?

Create a strong thesis.

The most crucial thing you want to have before your viva is a thesis that you are confident in and that is engaging to read for both an expert audience and a larger audience. Work on a subject that is actually relevant and current in your field, and consider how you might explain its wider significance outside of your research area. Consider a sound structure, but don't be afraid to try different things to find effective, possibly even inventive ways to communicate your knowledge. However, new concepts must not sacrifice coherence and logic. A high-quality thesis necessitates an open and positive relationship between you and your supervisor.

Select a dependable external and internal examiner.

 Try to find an external examiner who is active in your research field and who will truly comprehend what you've been working on over the past three years. This is almost as crucial as producing a strong thesis. This increases the likelihood of engaging in a fruitful discussion regarding the thesis's subject matter. You don't want to face an examiner who doesn't understand your theoretical framework, methods, and study topic; in the worst scenario, he or she might even discard your work as irrelevant. Since everything eventually comes down to networking, you should begin your research for an external examiner about a year before your viva. Ideally, your supervisor should be involved in this process.

A good boss will assist you in making the final decision and will walk you through the process. It is also advised to meet with influential figures in your academic field and present papers pertaining to your thesis at conferences. Finding an examiner who can relate to your work, however, does not guarantee that you will pass based solely on their empathy. It still comes down to working hard and being able to effectively defend your research.

 Examine your thesis with "scepticism."

It is simple to become infatuated with one's own work, especially if one is quite certain of the conclusions and the thesis as a whole; perhaps you have already received encouraging comments from your supervisors and peers. It is crucial to have confidence in your research because it frequently demonstrates the level of knowledge required for a PhD. In order to become your own worst enemy, in a sense, you must reread your thesis in the weeks leading up to the viva. Do this by reading it critically.

Make an effort to scrutinise everything and pinpoint any potential flaws. Create your own worst-case scenario and defend against it. The goal is not to make yourself feel bad, but to review your work for potential flaws and come up with appropriate justifications; in other words, you must anticipate important questions and have solid responses. By doing so, you can reduce the level of surprise, steer clear of uncomfortable situations, and adopt a passive attitude throughout the exam. You must memorise your thesis, which shouldn't be that challenging given that you wrote it.

Sum up your position

Try to summarise the thesis in bullet points after reading it several times, listing the most crucial details and potentially contentious arguments for each chapter. It helped me organise my thoughts, memorise important questions, and arrange my responses.

Be "passionate" about your work.

In a sense, the viva is also a psychological examination in which academic experts attempt to determine whether an applicant is qualified for the position of researcher. In this regard, it is crucial to demonstrate your "passion" for your profession, i.e., to convey that you are genuinely invested in and driven by your work. This alone may be a sign of strong assurance and knowledge. You want to project the impression that you are genuinely interested in expanding your field of study rather than that you could have worked on any subject.

Respond to criticism in a productive and professional manner.

 There is always something lacking or that could have been done differently in every academic paper. The difficulty is being conscious of this and accepting the limitations of one's thesis. If your examiners point out flaws or missing information, make an effort to explain your reasoning. No one can truly harm you as long as you can explain each action in your thesis with logic.

It's crucial to demonstrate your ability to take criticism, though, and to suggest that you can find solutions. You can do this by describing how you would fill in any gaps in your thesis or by suggesting areas for future research. Again, this can be done through open discussions with your managers and by presenting papers at conferences.

Finally, it is crucial to remember that the viva is not merely a hassle or a challenge. It is an opportunity to discuss your work with people who have read your thesis from cover to cover and to demonstrate your knowledge and talents. It is a chance for you to advance in your professional career and network with authorities in your sector.

The Ph.D. Viva Voce training that Griantek offers explains the purpose and structure of the viva voce test and shows you how to get ready quickly for your doctorate. Reread your thesis, go through your exam answers, and get ready for your viva voce by practising the predicted questions and creating a PowerPoint presentation. Griantek provides you with incredible ideas and training to help you feel calm and safe as you start and conclude your oral defence, and they even customise questionnaire examples to your university's requirements. Your one-stop resource for everything Ph.D. doctoral guidance and assistance is Griantek. As a one-stop shop for all Ph.D. education requirements to complete your doctoral study, our mission is to establish ourselves as a Ph.D. advisory and assistance company that puts the needs of the customer first. We always have specialists on hand to respond to your questions.