the final viva voce examination
DESCRIPTION
A presentation outlining the process for the final viva examination for doctoral students at UWETRANSCRIPT
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The ProcessTimescalesAppointment of ExaminersWhat your DoS should be doingThe forms
The Examination What exactly is an MPhil or PhD? How is it examined? How to prepare for the examination is it feasible to prepare at all? What to expect in the viva – questions and concerns
This workshop
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About…* three months before you submit your
final thesis and six months prior to your viva
…your DoS must identify and seek the appointment of examiners
One external (two externals for staff candidates), one internal examiner & an independent chair
The Process (1)
* Examination arrangements valid for a maximum of 12 months
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Examiners must be approved by the Faculty Research Degrees Committee (RDC) & submitted to Graduate School (PGR Assessment) at least three months before the expected date of the viva
You submit your thesis for examination to UWE Graduate School PGR Assessment team (located in Wallscourt House, Bristol Business Park)
Process (2)
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6mths
DoS approaches Examiners
3mths
Fac. RDC submits EX1 form to PGR Assessment
Team
Viva2wks
Preliminary reports from
Examiners
+4wks
Exam takes place automatically
Submit minor corrections
(FT – PT 8wks)
Final submission
& graduate!
Have thesis bound (££)
Approximate timeline for final exam
+3mths
Submit minor amendments
(FT – PT 6mths)
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What is an MPhil?
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The award of a Master of Philosophy requires that a candidate should demonstrate that he/she:
(1) has engaged in enquiry which makes a contribution to knowledge within his/her field of study;
(2) can demonstrate a systematic understanding of the current state of knowledge within his/her field of
theory and/or practice;(3) shows the ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project capable of contributing new knowledge close to the forefront of the discipline or field of practice;
What is an MPhil? (1)
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What is an MPhil? (2)
(4) can demonstrate a sound understanding of the methodology and techniques of enquiry relevant to the discipline or field of study;(5) has developed a capacity to form judgements
of issues and ideas in the field of research and/or practice and communicate and justify
these to relevant audiences;(6) can critically reflect on his/her work and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses
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What is a PhD?
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The award of a Doctorate of the University (other than a Higher Doctorate) requires that a candidate should demonstrate that he/she:
What is a PhD? (1)
(i) has conducted enquiry leading to the creation and interpretation of new knowledge through original research or other advanced scholarship, shown by satisfying scholarly review by accomplished and recognised scholars in the field;
(ii) can demonstrate a critical understanding of the current state of knowledge in that field of theory and/or practice;
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What is a PhD? (2)
(iii) shows the ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the
generation of new knowledge at the forefront of the discipline or field of practice including the capacity to adjust the project design in the light of emergent issues and understandings;
(iv) can demonstrate a critical understanding of the methodology of enquiry;
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What is a PhD? (3)
(v) has developed independent judgement of issues and ideas in the field of research and/or practice and is able to communicate and justify that judgement to appropriate audiences;
(vi) can critically reflect on his/her work and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses including understanding validation procedures.
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The overall difference between a doctorate and an MPhil is not one of time or length but rather an issue of depth and sophistication.
MPhil Vs PhD?
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The Viva voce Examination
Viva voce = ‘By word of mouth’ or live voice
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The Examination
The examination shall have two stages..
firstly: the candidates submission of the thesis and examiners’ independent preliminary assessment of it;
&
secondly: the defence of the thesis by the candidate…’
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The Examination – Stage 1Independent preliminary report considers:
• All submitted theses will be subject to a Viva voce examination
• What issues should be explored at the Viva?• A provisional recommendation as to appropriateness of
thesis title
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• Examiners report must be received not less than 10 days before scheduled viva
• Candidate and Supervisory team will not normally see copies of report
• Thesis goes on to viva automatically now
The Examination – Stage 1
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Preparation for the Viva
Four golden rules:
• Know your field• Know your thesis• Be clear about where your ‘significant
contribution to knowledge’ lies• Be enthusiastic about your work!
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Know your FieldAs a PhD candidate you have reached the stage where you are expected to be an authority in your chosen field no matter how narrow!
So demonstrate authority with confidence
Be familiar with:
- the current development of your field and
- all current related work and workers elsewhere
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Often the viva is some months after you submitted the final thesis
• Make sure you know where the important bits of the thesis are:– an examiner may ask “on page 34 you say… can
you please expand on this”– Take a copy of your thesis with you
Know your Field
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Your Significant Contribution
• Many viva candidates are either– unclear about exactly the contribution they have
made, or– too modest to state the significance of the
contribution• Many dissertations fail to indicate which part
of the work is existing and which is new and original
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• Stay confident. You’ve written the thesis, you know more about this than anyone else
• Try to enjoy the experience. It is an in depth discussion about your research
• If you feel the examiners have misinterpreted something in your thesis, don’t be afraid to say so
• On the other hand if they highlight a limitation in your work, acknowledge it
• Above all, stay cool. If a question confuses you, ask for it to be re-phrased
Enthusiasm & Confidence
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Outcomes of Viva
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1. The candidate be awarded the degree2. The candidate be awarded the degree subject to minor
changes (either “corrections” OR “amendments”) being made to the thesis
3. The candidate be permitted to re-submit for the degree and be re-examined, with or without a Viva voce examination
4. The candidate be not awarded the degree and not be permitted to be re-examined (outright fail- very rare)
5. The candidate may resubmit for the award of MPhil subject to the presentation of the thesis amended to the satisfaction of the examiners with or without the requirement for an additional viva
Possible Outcomes
Outcome 2 is by far the most common!
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• No grounds on ‘academic judgement’• Only if performance was adversely affected or..• ‘Process’ was incorrectly followed
Further detail in Section G3 of Academic Regulations
Right of Appeal
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• About the process?• The viva itself?• What happens after?
Questions?