Writing, Submitting and Defending your Thesis

1. Writing, Submitting and Defending your Thesis

2. Writing your thesis

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. What coping mechanisms do you use?

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Submitting your thesis

13. Submission • Know your deadline – within 4 years for f/t students • Suspension of registration • Notification of intention to submit (2 months before)

14. Submission • Check University regulations carefully • https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/research-students/theses-dissertations/ • http://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/governance/corporate-publications/ordinances-and-regulations/regulation-2/#2.7 • You can use a proof-reading service (Louise has a list)

15. 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

16. Your viva

17. 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

18. 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

19. What is the most important finding you obtained during your PhD work?

20. If you could change one thing, what would it be?

21. Outcome of viva • Pass • Pass with minor corrections (2 months) • Thesis referred • Revise and resubmit • Downgrade to MPhil • Fail

22. 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