Writing, Submitting and Defending your Thesis
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Writing, Submitting and Defending your Thesis
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Writing your thesis
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What does a thesis look like?
• Literature review (Chapter 1), empirical chapters (normally 4-ish), conclusions
• A PhD makes “a novel contribution to understanding”
• There are huge differences between areas of research (longitudinal, neuroimaging). No such thing as a ‘model’ thesis!– How to ‘package’ your experiments
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How do I know if I have done enough?
• Your supervisor/TAP are the best guide• Look at other theses in your area• You can present all the steps that were
required – pilot testing, experiments that didn’t work and led to a change in method
• Small is beautiful! Please note: there is a word limit of 80,000 words excluding references for a PhD thesis in this department.
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• Collections of theses are available electronically at:– White Rose depository:
http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/– British Library: http://ethos.bl.uk/– And there are older ones in the library
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Planning your writing
• Work out what is needed (in detail)• Have a plan with timings attached• Discuss with your supervisor– Your plan must be realistic; revise it as you go– There will be a lot of rewriting and rethinking to
do – this can take a lot of time
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Surviving
• Writing a thesis can be stressful• But tackling small chunks is enough to succeed– Keep going, day after day
• Find your best time of day; keep it clear of distractions
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What coping mechanisms do you use?
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Coping• Identify sources of support – practical and
emotional• Find a writing buddy• If you get stressed, take time out– But then come back to the task feeling refreshed;
don’t avoid difficult bits• Set yourself realistic targets and stop work
when you reach them• Bullet points fluent writing later editing
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Know your examiners!
• You will choose an external examiner with your supervisor– Who would you like to know about your work? – Who will you feel comfortable with?– Do this in plenty of time: 6+ months before viva
• You’ll be asked about your preference for the internal examiner too
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Know your examiners!
• Ensure you have referred to all relevant work by your examiners in your thesis
• Think about possible implications of your work for them and vice versa
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Submitting your thesis
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Submission
• Know your deadline – within 4 years for f/t students– Suspension of registration
• Notification of intention to submit (2 months before)
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Submission
• Check University regulations carefully– https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manag
e/research-students/theses-dissertations/– http://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/govern
ance/corporate-publications/ordinances-and-regulations/regulation-2/#2.7
• You can use a proof-reading service (Louise has a list)
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Responsibilities
• You must get your supervisor’s approval before you submit
• The internal examiner will organise the viva: triggered by intention to submit form
• Viva might not be for several months after submission
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Your viva
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What is a viva like?
• Normally lasts 1½ - 2 hours • Often in internal examiner’s office• Examiners will have lots of notes and bookmarks
in your thesis – don’t be put off• You can bring notes too but you probably won’t
use them• Can be highly enjoyable• Examiners should not tell you the outcome during
the viva – they will ask you to wait
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What is a viva for?
• Opportunity to demonstrate that you know a lot about the topic – Qs about literature
• Examiners need to be convinced that you have ownership of the thesis – Qs about detailed methods
• Think on your feet about interpretation– Don’t be defensive
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What is the most important finding you obtained during your PhD work?
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If you could change one thing, what would it be?
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Outcome of viva
• Pass• Pass with minor corrections (2 months)• Thesis referred– Revise and resubmit
• Downgrade to MPhil• Fail
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Referral
• Internal examiner will provide clear advice about what is required to bring thesis up to standard
• Supervisor will meet you and help to interpret• Resubmit 3-12 months post viva