Assessing the Viva in Higher Education

Abstract

of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

‘Smile and Nod’ or More? Reassessing the Role of the Silent Supervisor in the Doctoral Viva

“…A cross-national (UK, South Africa, Hong Kong, US, Australia, and NZ) comparison of PhD supervision models, milestones, and examination procedures found that each country differed in terms of examination procedures and the role of the supervisor in the oral examination (Dobson, 2018;Dominguez-Whitehead & Maringe, 2020).…”

“…However, the supervisor does not have a veto vote regarding the final outcome. In Spain, supervisors may attend the oral defence as a member of the audience but are not allowed to participate in the discussion (Hobson, 2019).…”

“…In several institutional traditions, the supervisor's presence in the viva is optional. Nevertheless, if they are present, they are to remain silent (Grabble, 2003;Hobson, 2019;Watts, 2012). Smith (2016, p. 43) postulates that supervisors will accompany the candidate to the oral and that their roles are to 'provide moral support, to observe the proceedings and to take notes'.…”

“…We elaborate on this evolution in the next section; however, what remains consistent is the fact that supervisors are central to candidates' doctoral journey from beginning to end. In current times, supervisors' roles during doctoral studies, before the doctoral viva, and after the viva are well-documented (Hobson, 2019;Taylor & Beasley, 2005). For example, supervisors are primarily required to train doctoral students to become independent researchers (Kaur et al, 2021), and establish meaningful professional relationships with candidates for the successful accomplishment of doctoral degrees (Holbrook et al, 2014) by assuming the role of a coach (Nichol et al, 2018).…”

The Doctoral Viva: Questions for, with and to Candidates (or supervisors)

“…At a further meta-level, candidates could even join supervisors and examiners to check the sparse literature which, as a research theme in higher education, researches examining for vivas (Mullins & Kiley, 2002;Mežek & Swales, 2016;Dobson, 2018) or reviews oral exams in general (Jonghin, 2010). Also, consulting research articles which attempt a genre analysis of sections of doctoral theses might be helpful.…”