PhD Discussion Forum

Hi Hugh

Rather then writing 'conclusions' at the end of each findings chapter, I just write a summary of what was discussed at the end of each. My actual conclusion chapter is where I discuss more of the meaning behind the findings in relation to each research aim and make recommendations for future research as well as for policy and practice. My own conclusion chapter is quite long, but I hope to (as always) reduce the length! It is about 20 pages, but I do not plan on going much lower than that. I have always read that examiners prefer detailed conclusions rather than something that is very brief. I don't think bits of repetition can be avoided in the conclusion, though mine appears to give the illusion of not being repetitive because I draw together conclusions from three findings chapters and refer back to gaps in the literature. Does this help?

Viva has been discussed to take place either Dec or Jan. There is no date set up though however. In my last supervision, me and my sup were discussing job applications and they went on to say that if I found a job that was demanding, I could use the fourth year to complete so that obviously disregards the potential viva date of Dec/Jan. Yet I am thinking that they were referring to a worse case scenario here. As I mentioned previously, my internal is sorted, but not officially- they have verbally agreed with my sup. External has not been arranged yet. I had one in mind but my sup is trying to push for another who is still in my research area (broadly) and has examined in our department before (I suspect the process is less complicated if it is an examiner who has examined at the university before from what my sup has mentioned in passing).

I've been talking to my supervisors about examiners but we haven't finalised anything yet. I have been told that certain internal people are 'off the table', but I haven't asked who! Regarding the external, as my work is also multi-disciplinary, we are going to focus on getting someone who will click with the qualitative parts of my thesis, as there's a risk that a purely quants person might dismiss it for being small-scale when it's actually the biggest part of the thesis.

That's a good point. Mine is also mixed methods, though I think the quantitative side holds more weight. I need to discuss this my supervisors. Its a tricky one, do you choose someone that is an expert in the specific topic (but may completely undermine the research as it opposes her opinion) or someone who is an expert in the area but not in the specific field, and who is more likely to be less biased perhaps (and nicer?)?

One other consideration - if you have access to anyone who knows a bit about some of the personalities in your field, it might be worth asking them. For example, I have found out that of three main experts in my quals methodology, two are nice and one is a nightmare as an examiner :)

It is wise to start thinking about it sooner than later and discussing with your sup. It may take a while for the potential examiner to have the availability to examine you and they are allowed (at my university anyway) up to 3 months between submission and examination. So, it is best to have some names in mind so that it is a smooth process and one that does not involve long periods of waiting around for the examiners to become available etc.

The process seems a bit too drawn out for my liking as it is. When people who are not studying a PhD ask me when I will get my PhD, I have to explain that its not so straightforward and that it depends on a lot of things e.g. how speedy your sup is at reading the draft, how long examiners take to read it, examiners availability for viva, whether you get corrections and to what scale, how long to submit corrections, how long for the corrections to be accepted etc. Phew!

Exactly. I was discussing these same points with a friend of mine who passed her PhD in 2014, and got the award last year. Her sup sat in her viva and was confident she had passed with no corrections, then the examiners kept her waiting 30 minutes to make the decision. She got minor thankfully. But the point is that your sup could think your thesis is perfect and an examiner find faults.

A big reason why I am applying for jobs at the moment is I know it will take my sup quite a while to read the thesis and I do not have the funds to be waiting around. Best case scenario while considering how lengthy the process is is that I graduate next summer! Its a bit of a downer when friends assume that it is over when you submit and that no, we will not be celebrating at Christmas haha

Its ridiculous how funding it supposed to end almost a year before you are actually awarded the certificate. Feeling angry today with the whole PhD process ... *aaarghhh*