How to prepare for your PhD Oral - Nov 2021.pptx

How to prepare for your PhD Oral - Nov 2021

1. How to prepare for your Ph.D Viva Associate Professor Mark Wilson Programme Director Supply Chain Management Dept Global Value Chains and Trade

2. What’s it to be?

3. Viva Process - Preparation At some stage you will be notified of the results of the exam Outcome: Fail (resubmit), in Dispute , or Viva (Oral) If you are heading to an Oral, this is good, but: It means that your thesis has passed the written examination Yet, your pass or fail will still depend on your performance at the Oral For some if your thesis is marginal, then everything will depend on the Oral Examiner’s reports – but not the examiner’s questions Study the comments closely Make a list of identified weaknesses (first step in your defense)

4. Viva Process - Preparation Formulate a pan to defend your thesis, rebut the criticisms Talk to your supervisors, other PGs Anticipate possible questions/themes from the reports You know your thesis better than anyone You are now the World expert on your topic – believe it! Flag a hard copy of your thesis – chapters/sections etc Take this into the Oral, shows preparation

5. Viva Process - Preparation Study your own thesis I copied the ToC and made brief notes/summaries of the key point for each heading as a quick ref guide Prepare answers for standard questions – see my handout Prepare answers for the criticisms, weaknesses , the gaps Where a criticism is valid – say so and agree. Rehearse with someone – remember “PPPPPPP”

6. Viva Process - Preparation Prepare a 10 min MAX ppt slide: Only cover the key results and key contributions Run this past your supervisors first This is designed to get you talking and relaxed Ensure you know the room, bathrooms Practice your presentation in the days before the Oral Ensure that all the tech works!!

7. Viva Process – On the Day Who’s in the room and roles? Convenor – chairs the meeting, records outcome, fairness NZ External Examiner – your chief antagonist, direct your responses to them, represents O/seas External Overseas External Examiner (Zoom?) – may also ask questions Supervisors – not allowed to speak, only to provide context. annnnd You … the victim

8. Viva Process – On the Day Relax the night before Best dressed – look the part Families or support people? Zoom or F2F? TURN OFF PHONES! How long is an Oral? The Sequence: Turn up with 10-15 mins to spare, wait outside the room The Convenor, Examiner/s and Supervisors should already be there Called in, introductions Presentation, then questions When done, you will be asked to leave the room – wait close by Deliberations of results and changes Called back in and told the outcome “Dr” or not? AAC

9. Viva Process – On the Day This should be a “conversation among Peers” Answer questions to the fullest extent you can, but don’t over bake the pie If you don’t know the answer, say so! Do not pretend that you do – STOP DIGGING Always be respectful, never ‘argue’ Fatal mistake – don’t become defensive ! Acknowledge good questions, ideas, criticisms If flustered, ask for a toilet break

10. Viva Results The outcome will be either: Pass (only minor errors to be fixed – usually within a week) Pass Minor Emendations (list of minor things to fix) Pass Major Emendations (major changes required) Fail – graduate with a Masters  Everyone will have changes , it’s the scale that matters, get them done as soon as you can You will receive a letter with the changes, to the satisfaction of: Your Supervisors (good) The Examiners (not so good)

11. Viva Results Now, Celebrate hard!!! You have earned it! Good luck everyone.