Stepping Stones to Achieving your Doctorate: Focusing on Your Viva from the Start

Open Up Study Skills

by Vernon Trafford

What criteria are used to assess the scholarly merit of a thesis? What is the level of conceptualization that is expected in doctoral theses? How can you prepare to defend your thesis? What is the most effective route to achieving your doctorate? The starting point to achieving your doctorate is to appreciate how your thesis will be examined. The criteria that examiners use, the questions they ask in vivas and their reports provide templates against which theses are judged. So, why not start from this endpoint as you plan, undertake, write and defend your research? This book focuses specifically on how you, as a doctoral candidate, can raise your level of thinking about your chosen topic. Doing so will improve the quality of your research and ultimately contribute to knowledge. It also explores the nature of conceptualization which is sought by examiners in theses. As a candidate, the book provides those essential characteristics of doctorateness

264 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Abdullah Al Atawi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the approach of the book on relating every stage/chapter of the research/thesis to the Viva. It really made a logical connection. The expected questions of each part forced me to revisit my early work. The concepts presented are logically linked, and easy to follow and apply. The book helps you grasp the big picture and how external examiners think and whats their typical questions.

Some parts of the book were more relevant to my current work as a second year PhD student, others I think will be helpful in the future.

[Blessy Yma]

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