1. Oral examinations at Massey University
Doctoral Examiners Workshop
10 April 2013
Oral examinations at Massey University
General guidelines on how to prepare and what to expect

2. Doctoral Examination Cycle
Doctoral Examiners Workshop
10 April 2013
Doctoral Examination Cycle
Submission of thesis for examination
Thesis sent to Examiners
Examiners’ Reports Received
Reports sent to candidate and supervisor
Oral Examination
Completion of Emendations
Submission of final thesis / completion

3. Doctoral Examiners Workshop
10 April 2013
The Basics
The PhD examination does not simply represent the conclusive moment of your PhD research: it also constitutes a turning point in your career, since it officially marks your passage from the status of postgraduate student to qualified researcher.
Before you start: It ought to be mentioned that the information here on how to prepare for your PhD examination and what to expect is general guidance and does not in any way supercede or replace your own academic unit and Colleges’s regulations, which you should acquaint yourself with and which take precedence in all cases. Our aim is merely to provide advice which we hope you will find useful

4. The written thesis examination
The comprehensiveness of the study and its contribution to knowledge.
A familiarity with and understanding of the relevant literature.
The articulation of the research questions.
The identification of research methods and their justification and application.
The honest reporting of the findings.
The careful analysis of the findings and their relevance within the wider context of knowledge.
The quality of English and general presentation...

5. Examiner 1
“First, I must admit to finding the thesis very disorganised. There are so many issues with the general layout and presentation of the thesis that these significantly detract from the work. I consider it essential that these be addressed before the thesis could be considered to be an acceptable standard. The disorganisation makes to very difficult to follow the thesis and it is not acceptable to expect the reader to put all this together—the thesis needs to tell a logical, linear story, whereas at the moment it is more like a tangled web.”

6. Examiner 2
“The candidate tends to present and summarise material that she has read rather than synthesizing this information and presenting a critical argument to build a coherent conceptual framework for the study. The ensuing discussion appears to lack comprehensive understanding of the key terms used in the study. For example, there is little more than passing attention paid to the central concept of identity which lies at the heart of a psychological study on affect.”

7. Examiner 3
Why didn’t the candidate choose fewer case studies and go into more depth with them? How was the volume of data accumulated from case studies managed? What guided the analysis of the data? How exactly was mixed methods used in this study and how was it used for triangulation?
Did the candidate do all the interviews alone?

8. Examiner 4
In some respects the thesis reads less like a contribution to the literature than like a technical report in which a contemporary phenomenon had been expertly described and analysed. Quite apart from this thesis, if the candidate hopes to publish his work in quality academic journals, I think he will be expected to answer the question: “How does this paper advance theory?”

9. The oral examination (viva)
Ensures:
authenticity
quality

10. Doctoral Examiners Workshop
10 April 2013
Where?
Palmerston North Campus –Research and Enterprise Office meeting rooms. Similar meeting conference rooms on the Albany and Wellington campuses. Rooms will have equipment for powerpoint presentations and or video conferencing as required.

11. Doctoral Examiners Workshop
10 April 2013
Who?
In attendance at Oral Examination:
- Candidate
- Convenor
- Two examiners (normally Internal and New Zealand examiner)
- Supervisors (maximum of two) can attend as support for candidate

12. Doctoral Examiners Workshop
10 April 2013
The Convenor
Before the examination starts the convenor meets with the examiners to ensure they are clear on:
- their role at oral
- nature/extent of thesis emendations/further research required for Continuing Examination/Re-examination
The Convenor’s role is to ensure the examination is conducted fairly and in accordance with the University’s regulations.

13. Doctoral Examiners Workshop
10 April 2013
Leading up to the Examination
2 – 3 weeks prior to examination: candidates and supervisors will be advised who examiners are
5 – 10 days prior to the examination the candidate and supervisor/s will receive the examination reports
The Convenor will meet with the candidate prior to the examination generally a few days before to discuss how the day progress, who to expect in the room
On the second bullet point:

14. Doctoral Examiners Workshop
10 April 2013
How to prepare
Re-read and summarise your thesis
Literature used and subsequent
Examiners
Anticipating questions

15. Doctoral Examiners Workshop
10 April 2013
The examination
The Convenor invites candidate and supervisors into room, and introduces everyone and facilitates the examination. You present on your work for around 10 minutes. Examiners put their questions to you. You and your supervisors are asked to leave when all the questions have been asked. The convenor invites you back when the examiners are agreed on a recommendation.

16. Doctoral Examiners Workshop
10 April 2013
Examination outcomes
Pass without emendations
No changes are required to be made
(minor typographical corrections are permitted)
Emendations required
Must be able to complete changes within a maximum of
6 months full time or 9 months part time
Further Research and Re-examination
Must be able to complete changes and resubmit for within
a maximum of one year full time or 18 months part time
Fail
Any changes cannot realistically be completed within one year full time or
18 months part time further study

17. Doctoral Examiners Workshop
10 April 2013
General approach to examination
Do not rush your answers: let your examiners finish their question ask for clarifications on a question if needed take all the time you need to structure your answer effectively Keep calm Be honest say you cannot answer the question on the spot if that is the case.

18. Keep in mind
You are the most important person at the oral examination. It is your day!

19. Average examination outcomes at Massey
Doctoral Examiners Workshop
10 April 2013
Average examination outcomes at Massey

20. Doctoral Examiners Workshop
10 April 2013
Important resources – Web-book
Doctoral forms and guidelines
Examination and Completion
Also useful reading:
Guidelines for examiners’ report

21. Doctoral Examiners Workshop
10 April 2013
For more advice, have a look at:
 How to survive your viva by Rowena Murray (ISBN )
or 
The Doctoral Examination Process: A handbook for students, examiners and supervisors by Penny Tinkler and Carolyn Jackson (ISBN