How to excel in your doctoral viva / Stacey Bedwell, Isabelle Butcher.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bedwell, Stacey, author.

Butcher, Isabelle, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Doctor of philosophy degree.

Doctoral students.

Universities and colleges--Graduate work--Examinations.

Universities and colleges.

Genre:

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Cham, Switzerland : Palgrave Macmillan, 2022.

Summary:

How to excel in your doctoral viva offers an accessible guide to approaching and preparing for a PhD viva examination. The book explains what the viva is, how the process works, and what the purpose of the viva is. It guides the reader through the course of preparing for their viva examination, with chapters focusing on organisation to dealing with viva concerns. Contributions from over 25 academics ranging from critical care to theology provide a unique insight into the experiences of PhD candidates and examiners, and make this book an invaluable resource for students completing PhDs across the sciences. Dr. Stacey Bedwell was awarded her PhD in Biosciences in 2015 from Nottingham Trent University, UK, for her work investigating the anatomical connectivity of the mammalian prefrontal cortex. Stacey completed postdoctoral projects in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. Her current research focus is exploring the roles of early experiences in the development of executive functions. Stacey has taught at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in psychology and neuroscience for several years and has published in many internationally recognised journals. Dr. Isabelle Butcher was awarded her PhD in Psychology in 2021 from the University of Manchester, UK, for her work on the negative symptoms of schizophrenia and traumatic life events. Isabelles current research interests are in the area of adolescent mental health and the impact of traumatic life events. Isabelle also has a keen interest in the ethics of research and is currently chair of an NHS ethics research committee.

Contents:

1 Introduction

1.1 Welcome

1.2 The Authors

1.3 Why Write a Book on how to Complete a Successful Viva?

1.4 How Does this Book Work?

2 What Is the Viva?

2.1 What the Viva Is Not

2.2 Purpose of the Viva

2.3 What Does the Viva Involve?

2.4 Why Is the Viva an Oral Examination Not a Written Exam?

2.5 The Viva as a Dyadic Conversation Not an Interview

2.6 The Viva as an Opportunity to Engage with Academics

2.7 Practical Points

Choosing Examiners

When Do my Examiners Receive my Thesis?

What Do my Examiners Do Prior to my Viva?

When Should I Have my Viva?

Timing of the Viva

Location of the Viva

Who Will Be in the Viva Room?

Taking Notes in the Viva

Communication Etiquette Regarding Viva Examination

2.8 Post Viva

3 Urban Myths about the PhD Viva

3.1 Viva Rumours

3.2 Top

Urban Myths about the PhD Viva

3.3 Debunking Common Viva Myths

4 Real Viva Experiences

4.1 General Viva Feelings

4.2 Subject-Specific Viva Experiences

Biosciences

Animal Behaviour

Psychology

Neuroscience

4.3 Anthropology

Mathematics

Multidisciplinary

Medicine

Nursing

Theology

Education

Pharmacy

4.4 Examiner Experiences

4.5 Summary

5 Making the Most of and Enjoying your Viva

5.1 Making the Most of and Enjoying the Viva

5.2 An Enjoyable Experience

The Build-up to the Viva

The Viva itself

The Aftermath

5.3 The Value of the Viva

A Chance to Show off

A Chance to Discuss Critically

Gaining Valuable New Perspectives

Practice in Articulating Complex Ideas

Practice in Selling you, your Work, and your Skills

5.4 The Purpose of your Viva

5.5 How the Viva Helps you Post-PhD

Job Interviews

The Workplace

Teaching

Conferences

Meetings and Presentations

5.6 Favourite Parts of the Viva

5.7 Positive Viva Memories

6 After the Viva

6.1 Outcomes

6.2 Corrections/Revisions

6.3 Post Viva Celebrations

7 Practice Questions

7.1 Common Viva Questions

General Questions

Literature Review/Background Questions

Chapter or Study-Specific Questions

Overall Contribution and Value Questions

Alternative Approaches Questions

Future Research Questions

8 Being Confident in your Thesis

8.1 How to Ensure you Are Confident in your Work

8.2 Your Work Is Valuable

8.4 Imposter Syndrome

8.5 Defending your Thesis

8.6 Saying I Not we

8.7 Honesty and Hindsight

9 The Viva Preparation Timeline

9.1 Three Months before Oral Examination

9.2 Two Months Prior to your Viva

9.3 One Week to Go

9.4 The Day before

9.5 The Viva Day

9.6 Preparation Timeline

10 Participating in a Mock Viva

10.1 Why Do a Mock Viva?

10.2 How to Set up a Mock Viva

10.3 How Far in Advance Should the Mock Viva Be?

10.4 Who Should Examine the Mock Viva?

Your Director of Studies/Primary Supervisor

Other Members of your Supervisory Team

Faculty Involved in Previous Steps E.G. MPhil.PhD Transfer/Continuation Viva/Upgrade

Other Experts

Non-experts

10.5 Should Anyone Else Attend your Mock Viva?

Supervisors

Audience

10.6 What to Do after the Mock Viva

10.7 Key Elements and Questions to Include

11 Viva Concerns.

Notes:

Print version record.

Includes index.

Other Format:

ebook version :

Print version: HOW TO EXCEL IN YOUR DOCTORAL VIVA.

ISBN:

9783031101724

3031101723

OCLC:

1344535983

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.