How to Prepare for Your Thesis Viva or Dissertation Defence with Confidence

A viva is not a questioning it’s a discussion with your examiners who have listened carefully to your thesis. A good thesis viva preparation involves appreciating the options available, the contribution that you have made, and your limitations. The dissertation defense is similar to the above, but varies in format. In preparation, it may be helpful to remind yourself about the connections between your research question, theory and methodology by going over how to write a conceptual framework for your dissertation. The key to a good thesis viva preparation is to make sure that the decisions that you have made are clear.

What a Viva Is Actually For

The viva voce is a traditional feature of UK universities and many of the Commonwealth universities, and a dissertation defence is common in US universities. A defense can be either a presentation or a public examination, and a viva can be a private examination. The specific format is subject to your institution’s control.

In the viva or the dissertation defence, usually the examiners conclude about whether:

• The research is original.
• You are aware of and can explain why you are using the methods you are using.
• You are aware of your part and what you can’t do.
• It is possible to relate your work to previous literature.
• You will be able to state how the research findings might be extended.

Thesis viva preparation is not about covering all possibilities of questions but rather on these areas.

The Questions You Will Almost Certainly Be Asked

Having a set of likely viva questions provides you with a structure, but not necessarily memorization. Expect questions about:

Your research:

• Are you able to give an oral presentation of your thesis in a few minutes?
• What are your ideas as original?
• What was your inspiration for this topic?

Methodology:

• Why did you decide to use this methodology?
• Why was your sample ‘appropriate’?
• What are the big constraints?
• How did you gain validity, reliability, or trustworthiness?

Findings:

• What was one of the things you discovered that was surprising?
• What are the similarities and differences of your findings with an important study?
• Are there other possible interpretations to which your evidence might apply?

Wider implications:

• What would you change if you were in his or her position?
• What else do you think another researcher should study?
• What are the implications to take into account?

These viva questions also apply to a viva voce in the context of a dissertation defense where questions would be directed towards contribution, limitations, and research decisions.

It is particularly important that the opening summary be used. Create both a 3-minute and a one-minute version. Say them until they sound natural.

How to Prepare in the Final Month

How to prepare for a viva should be practical and focused. Firstly, read your thesis through, from start to finish. Record your methodology, findings, contribution, limitations and conclusions.

Put all the information you found in a one-page summary about your research question, method, major findings and contribution. This will then serve as a handy reference for thesis viva preparation.

Make an errata list that contains any errors or minor corrections that you’ve observed. It is an indication of critical ownership to show how to spot weaknesses.

Read some of your examiner’s most recent publications. Memorizing their publications is not required, but consider positions that are directly related to your research.

Next, go back to your most important sources. Be prepared to discuss their need for, and the relevance of, them.

Lastly, don’t forget to speak out when answering questions. Part of how to prepare for a viva is learning to be able to articulate your knowledge of the material when it’s under the spotlight.

Know Your Weaknesses Better Than They Do

All theses are limited. Boundaries can be set by the sample size, scope of the study, access to the data, methods used, and generalizability.

The best candidates are able to find these weaknesses before the examiner. Don’t get defensive; explain what the limitation was, why it was there, and how you minimized its effect.

For instance, one can argue that a small sample does not provide generalizability of the findings, but it can provide findings within the context of the research that are useful.

Prepare a list of the issues, with 4 points listed for each issue:

• What the restriction is.
• Why it occurred.
• How you coped with it.
• What you would look to change if you had more time or resources.

Usually, make a distinction between a real restriction and a real mistake in your research when you are preparing for a dissertation defense. It’s good to be honest about the difference, as this demonstrates maturity.

Amidst some hard viva questions, you might find them coming directly to you, so be ready to discuss them, but avoid being negative and critical, as it is not a personal attack.

Run a Mock Viva

One of the most useful preparations you can make is to prepare a mock viva. Request your supervisor to do one, and then you may want to ask another researcher, who is not in your immediate vicinity. A new questioner can ask some very useful questions if he or she knows your research in general.

Make the mock viva realistic or lifelike. SITTING: Choose a suitable site to sit at, speak to your answers, and don’t overuse your thesis.

Once you have done this, see where you:

• Avoid answering in an immediate response and instead ramble.
• Become defensive.
• Have difficulty describing a method selection.
• Rely too much on a note-taking system.
• Not be able to clearly answer an unexpected question.

Re-state the mock viva, taking into account those weaknesses. The aim is to achieve answers that are as close as possible to correct. Has grown accustomed to expressing thoughts out loud.

Practise saying: ‘I would need to think about that more’ when relevant, as part of how to prepare for a viva. It’s better to think about than to come up with an answer.

On the Day

Keep a thesis with some notes, an errata list, a notepad, and water.

In the dissertation defence stage, listen to all the questions before responding to them. One of the common mistakes is providing an answer to the question you think you were asked to answer and not the one that was asked.

Several seconds is OK to wait. Allow time for structuring your answer.

It is OK to disagree with an examiner if there is evidence that supports your opinion. You may also say you don’t know and how you would go about learning.

With good thesis viva preparation, one should feel confident enough to defend a justified position but not be argumentative.

Listen and make notes if the examiner makes corrections. May recall discussion but forget about specific changes later.

The Possible Outcomes

It is important to understand what to expect from viva outcomes  otherwise there will be a lot of unnecessary worry as a viva is not always a pass/fail situation.

Common categories include:

• Pass: With no corrections, possible but not very common.
• Pass with minor corrections: minor amendment of the text, clarification, or errors made within a period of time.
• Pass with major corrections: There may need to be a significant number of changes – possibly without the need for another full exam.
• Revise & resubmit: substantial revisions needed and may be resubmitted for review.
• Lower degree or failure: may happen, but is less likely.

The exact viva outcomes and the language used differ from institution to institution and country to country. Correct answers are acceptable, and do not automatically imply failure.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does a viva last?

The length of your Viva will vary between institution and discipline; check with your department.

• Can you fail a viva?

Yes, but there is a possibility to get corrections instead  viva outcomes depend on institutional rules and examiners.

• Should I prepare a presentation?

Many departments mandate one and some do not. Check the format in advance and practice a mock viva, if necessary.

Conclusion + CTA

The key to a strong thesis viva preparation is to be able to know and understand the research thoroughly, be able to explain the decisions made in the research, and to view questions as a conversation and not an interrogation.