Demystifying the PhD Viva

# Demystifying the PhD Viva :::info :bulb: This page contains a list of potential questions you could be asked during your thesis viva. Please contribute and add others you can think of, alongside tips for giving effective answers. ::: ## :triangular_flag_on_post: What is a PhD Viva :::warning A UK PhD viva is an oral examination where a doctoral candidate defends their research to a panel of experts. They present their work, answer questions, and discuss their findings to demonstrate their understanding and the quality of their research. The outcome can vary from passing to needing revisions or, rarely, failing. ::: **At the University of Leeds there are a few things that are worth taking note of:** * If you're within the CDT you must submit your thesis at the end of your fourth year or in your fifth year. You can't submit early but you can get an extra year to write up (unpaid). * Your thesis must be of publication quality, but that doesn't mean it actually needs to be published. * Your work must be original. * You must use the prescribed presentation and format requirements. * Your thesis cannot be over 300 pages (or over 100,000 words). * During your thesis viva you require two examiners, one internal and one external. *If you've had a job at the University you may need two external examiners*. * It's your sole responsbility to submit your thesis. * The purpose of the oral examination is to ensure the thesis meets the required standard, to check that you have written the thesis yourselv (for example that it hasn't been contracted out), check your understanding of the thesis. * The internal examiner makes the arrangements to set up the viva, not the supervisor. The internal examiner will consult with you to arrange the viva. * The viva should take place 3 months after the examiners have been given the thesis. * Only one of your supervisors can come to the viva, they cannot particpate and they should not speak unless the examiner asks them something. * Vivas on average take 2-4 hours. * Your viva can be in-person, remote or hybrid. **Things that you are examined on:** 1) Originality (making it clear that there is a gap in the knowledge). 2) Independent critical ability (shown in the literature review, your chapters of your own work, limitations, critically assess how far you've gone and what you could do next). 3) Publishability of the work. You can state where your material has been published or submitted to. They may also ask what your next publication is. **Viva Examination Outcomes** * Awarded, no correction (this is very rare, normally there are editorial or presentation corrections). * Editorial and/or presentation deficiencies (e.g. typographical, grammatial errors, figures, tables). You normally have around 4 weeks to fix these. * Minor deficiencies (e.g. where equations are wrong or logic is incorrect). You normally get around 12 weeks to fix these. * Referral for resubmission. * No degree awarded or MPhil given. ## :dart: Things to Achieve/ Have Ready Pre-Viva ### :small_blue_diamond: For Student 1. Printed/bound copies of your thesis for yourself and your panel members. 2. Have organised and carried out a mock viva with your supervisor. 3. A presentation showcasing your thesis motivation, methodology and findings. Setting the scene basically. *You may wish to check that the internal examiner is happy for you to do this*. 4. A prepared list of potential questions and how you might answer them. 5. Prepared to discuss publications or any contributions that have arisen from your work. 6. Be well-read, get to know the literature around your field but related to your research. 7. A self-reflection of how you've grown all the time, it's important to realise how far you've come in the PhD years, give yourself that boost. 8. A print-off of any papers similar or related to your work that you may wish to reference to or discuss during the viva. 9. The viva is a unique opportunity to speak to people who have read your thesis fully, so it should be enjoyable to discuss your work. 10. Try to be relaxed and confident, you've worked hard, it'll pay off! ## :star: Other Tips <details> <summary>Click here for more tips</summary> * Examiners may mask their own nervousness by being standoffish. Do the best you can. It can be hard for the examiners too, try to make it a human interaction. But also be prepared to stand your ground. * If your examiner has real concerns about your thesis they will normally make it clear at the start of the thesis so the student can defend themselves. * You want to convince your examiners that there is something new in the thesis and that it is original. * The viva typically follows a methodological flow through the thesis, through to the fine detail. Warm up questions are usually given first unless there is a serious issue. * What is your biggest fear/worry about the thesis? Write it down and ask your supervisor. It is unlikely you’ll be asked but will make you more confident. ‘Supposing they ask me *x...*’ rather than ‘Yike I hope they don’t ask me *x...*’. * When reviewing your thesis before the viva ask yourself if you've justified each claim? Have you explained it enough, if not you can flag these as they may come up in the viva and you have a prepared answer to say *'this is what I should've written'*. * **Novel doesn't mean you have to change the world!** </details> ## :fire: Questions and Answers from Our 'Demystifying the Viva' August 2023 AI^2 Session **Q.** Is it true that the examiners don't tend to read your whole thesis? That your introduction should be a mini paper with the key points? <details> <summary> Answer </summary> **Thesis Review Preparation:** It's crucial to address the possibility of having a "sloppy examiner." To mitigate this, read your thesis carefully in the days leading up to your viva. Approach it from the perspective of an examiner, making notes and ensuring that formulas, equations, and tables are well-defined and clearly presented. Pay attention to the quality of your conclusions, which are often rushed and may need improvement. **Clarity and Readability:** Some theses are poorly written, making it challenging for examiners to follow a 100-page document. Consider utilising resources such as books on writing and improving figures/tables to enhance the readability and overall quality of your thesis. **Examiner Expectations:** If an examiner hasn't thoroughly read your thesis, it may indicate they are not the right fit for the role. External examiners are typically compensated well and should engage with your work diligently. They often skim through the thesis initially, then read it carefully. **Review and Revision:** Review your entire thesis, and if certain chapters don't make sense, return to them for further clarification. Sometimes, complex or opaque content may necessitate discussion during the viva. **Bias Awareness:** Be aware that examiners can exhibit biases, which may be related to their specialty. It's essential to stand behind the quality of your work and be prepared to defend it during the viva. </details> **Q.** What are your expectations of writing style? What do you find easiest to read in terms of style and structure? <details> <summary> Answer </summary> **Academic Writing Clarity and Consistency**: When it comes to academic writing, it's essential to strike a balance between the rigor of academic discourse and the readability of your work. One approach is to revisit your writing with a fresh perspective after some time has passed. Additionally, consider the purpose of each chapter and identify your target audience. At the beginning of each chapter, clarify its purpose rather than focusing solely on its structure. Start paragraphs with clear, concise statements, followed by detailed explanations. Reading your sentences aloud can help you identify areas where you can use punctuation to break up lengthy sentences. Consistent formatting, including the use of bold and italic styles, can enhance readability. **Structural Coherence**: Maintaining consistency is crucial for a lengthy document like a thesis. Your document should tell a coherent story from start to finish, enabling readers to follow it seamlessly. Avoid overly complex sentences and long words, as they can hinder comprehension. Strive for simplicity to reach a broader audience. **Notation and Repetition**: Ensure consistency in notation throughout your thesis. If you use equations from different sources, make sure that variables represent the same concepts consistently. Provide clear explanations without unnecessary repetition, reserving repetition primarily for the introduction and conclusion sections. </details> **Q.** Are we allowed to bring an annotated copy of the thesis into the viva? <details> <summary> Answer </summary> Yes! You are actively encouraged to bring a copy of your thesis. You can also colour code it (highlights, sticky notes) and answer questions with in. </details> **Q.** What tips do you have to demonstrate to your examiners that your work is publishable when it hasn’t been published? <details> <summary> Answer </summary> **Publication Strategy**: When it comes to evaluating your academic work, it's crucial to have a clear publication strategy. Consider where your research findings could be published and what aspects of your work will be submitted to various publications. Keep in mind that examiners will assess the quality and persuasiveness of your research. Therefore, it's essential to have a plan and be confident that your work is suitable for publication. **Strive for Publication**: A proactive approach can make your academic journey smoother. Don't hesitate to pursue opportunities for getting your papers published. You can even mention in your thesis if a paper has been submitted for publication, demonstrating your commitment to advancing your field through dissemination of your work. **Declaration of Publications**: Remember that you should declare your publications at the beginning of your thesis. This helps establish transparency and ensures that your research contributions are appropriately acknowledged. All being said it is not essential to have published your work, though it certainly will make your viva go smoother. </details> **Q.** What if you’re near submission then someone else publishes similar work at the same time? <details> <summary> Answer </summary> At the level of a PhD thesis this doesn't matter. As long as you have shown critical independent ability. It might make your work unpublishable, but this isn't your fault. You can say 'this work was done contemporaneously with the work in this thesis'. It must've been a good idea if someone else tried it too! Someone else publishing similar work gives you the oppportunity to look at the persons work carefully and in detail. It might not solve the exact same problem that you had, you might be able to find their gap and fill it. However, if something was published previously that has been highly cited and your work is the same, it means that you've not read the lliterature properly. </details> **Q.** If we do publish after our viva, are publishing costs still covered by the University? <details> <summary> Answer </summary> If you're a student in the CDT the university will contribute travel to a conference. Your supervisor(s) will also likely be on that paper so it will be in their best interest too if it is published. Out of all the publications written at universities, a high proportion of them are actually submitted by PhD students. Though bare in mind grant money can be hard to spend once you've left. </details> **Q.** What advice do you have for when you don’t know the answer to the question during your viva? <details> <summary> Answer </summary> When faced with a question, it's essential to begin by rephrasing it to ensure you fully comprehend what's being asked. Then, consider whether you should already possess the answer or if it may require further experimentation or research, possibly due to overlooked papers or information. If you've extensively used a particular element in your work but remain uncertain about the answer, honesty is valuable. In such cases, you can sit down to discuss and work through it collaboratively to arrive at a satisfactory solution. Always prioritise a clear understanding of the question and the readiness to explore and learn when necessary. </details> --- ## Example Viva Questions :::success Include more questions, tips to answer questions and, if you like, example answers to the questions. ::: ### :end: Outcomes **Q1.** Why is your research important? :pencil2: Tips and Answers 1. **Q2.** Were there any unexpected findings? :pencil2: Tips and Answers 1. **Q3.** What are the clinical applications of your research? :pencil2: Tips and Answers 1. **Q4.** How does your research 'fill the gap' in knowledge? :pencil2: Tips and Answers 1. **Q5.** What does your research do that existing work does not consider? :pencil2: Tips and Answers 1. **Q6.** If you were to extend and take your current work further, what would you do? :pencil2: Tips and Answers 1. **Q7.** Could your research be applied to other fields? :pencil2: Tips and Answers 1. **Q8.** What are the limitations of your study? :pencil2: Tips and Answers 1. **Q9.** If you were to do this research again, what would you change? :pencil2: Tips and Answers 1. **Q10.** Why did you choose methodology X in Chapter Y - what are the limitations of that analysis? :pencil2: Tips and Answers 1. ### :book: Knowledge **Q1.** Of all the papers you have read, which one did you like the most and why? :pencil2: Tips and Answers 1. **Q2.** What would you do differently if you had to restart your research tomorrow? :pencil2: Tips and Answers 1. **Q3.** What was the most influential paper you read during your PhD? :pencil2: Tips and Answers 1.