Preparing For Your Dissertation Defense (Viva Voce): 9 Questions You MUST Be Ready For (+ Examples)

Learn about the 9 critical questions you need to be ready for as you prepare for your dissertation or thesis defense (also called a viva voce or oral defense). Derek Jansen (MBA) and David Phair (PhD) discuss the 9 questions (plus one bonus question!) in detail and how you need to answer them, so that you can prepare for your dissertation defense efficiently. This video will also be useful if you're planning to defend your dissertation or thesis proposal.
Overview: Dissertation Defense & Viva Voce Questions
00:00 Introduction: Preparing for your dissertation defense
02:07 What is your study about and why did you choose to research this?
04:57 How did your research questions evolve during the research process?
11:00 How did you design your study and why did you take this approach?
16:22 What were the main shortcomings and limitations created by your research design?
21:12 How did your findings relate to the existing literature?
25:29 What were your key findings in relation to the research questions?
29:02 Were there any findings that surprised you?
33:32 What biases may exist in your research?
38:47 How can your findings be put into practice?
43:10 Bonus Q: If you could redo your research, how would you alter your approach?
To learn more about the dissertation defense/viva voce process and see more questions you can prepare for, visit gradcoach.com/dissertation-th....
Have a question related to the dissertation defense or preparation process? Leave a comment below and we'll do our best to help.
Dissertation defense/viva voce-related links:
- Research bias overview - www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
- 9 types of research bias - www.quirks.com/articles/9-typ...
If you need 1-on-1 help preparing for your dissertation or thesis defense, including a mock defense/viva voce session, get in touch with one of our friendly coaches over at Grad Coach. To book a free initial consultation, visit gradcoach.com.
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[@GradCoach]

Get 1-On-1 Help Preparing For Your Dissertation Or Thesis Defense - gradcoach.com

[@witty188]

How much Is the cost? Or is it free?

[@abbasisma2469]

"1. What is your study about and why did you choose this topic? 2. How did your research question evolve during the research process? 3. How did you design your study and why did you take this approach? 4. What were the main shortcomings and limitations of your design? 5. How did your findings relate to the existing literature? 6. How did your findings relate to the research question? 7. Were there any findings that surprised you? 8. What biases may exist in your research? 9. How can your research findings be put into practice?" You are welcome :)

[@rachelmurekatete4395]

Thanks!

[@mamwrites]

🙏

[@chinwemgbejiofor8284]

Thank you for this compilation 🙏

[@nw8680]

10. If you could redo your research again, would you do it differently?

[@steyndewet1191]

Hey guys, successfully defended my PhD Industrial Engineering thesis yesterday. Thanks so much - this really helped.

[@GradCoach]

Awesome news! Well done :)

[@zobiamubarak4368]

Mine is due on 7th ..need prayers

[@komalomR]

Thanks for this, guys. I successfully defended my viva and I owe a lot of it to the superb advice you share here. It’s exceptional. This is the most helpful video with regards to preparing for the PhD viva. GradCoach is a must-watch channel, to help PhD students throughout this roller-coaster journey, and you guys are so reassuring in your videos! Thanks again!:)

[@namitapalod8060]

Thank you so much grad coach, I got “A grade” in my masters thesis by following your lectures.. thanks a lot 😇

[@GradCoach]

Great job!

[@deetrinda8400]

Thanks! I answered all of these questions in written form one month before my oral exams. I practiced the Q/A with friends and on my own time. Each of my committee members asked these questions in one way or another. I passed my exams in March 😊.

[@GradCoach]

Great to hear that. Well done!

[@mariastar108]

GradCoach, you kept my mental health stable and calm during my whole writing process, thank you so much for the work you are doing! Tomorrow I am going to present thesis for MA in Education Policy, and this all is happening because of your support! I am forever grateful to you

[@bekewuruballard6870]

I can't help watching this again and again. This has given me great insight into my final Ph.D. oral dissertation defense. Great job!

[@GradCoach]

Great to hear that!

[@0Jake0Eden0]

Genuinely can’t thank you guys enough for this! Defending my masters very soon and this really helped to calm my nerves.

[@GradCoach]

Great to hear that! Good luck for your defense.

[@user-wb2wo3ou6t]

I watched this video three times.very helpful. My viva is going to be tomorrow 🎉

[@joselynann7927]

I have my defence in less than 10 days and this video has been SO helpful. Obviously the info on the questions is great, but the examples were super useful! Thank you! x

[@GradCoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nyakehkallon-m3653]

Amazing video. Love the energy. Both presenters are calm and brief.

[@GradCoach]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@theindianchhori8598]

I literally have my defense in 2 days. This video has helped me a lot in the preparation. Thank you so much

[@GradCoach]

Glad to hear that. Good luck!

[@rediatalemu4107]

Me after 2 days

[@vanessachiunda7262]

How did it go?

[@mckennalewis4832]

This video was incredibly helpful, thank you! I will use your questions as a way to design my presentation and prepare for questions.

[@isaacfordjr.3800]

Thanks very much, this video is actually taking all the fears in me for thesis defense.. I’m very grateful to you

[@GradCoach]

Great to hear that. Good luck for your defense!

[@ailurophilely]

Thank you very much! This has helped me reflect on my process and research. I feel better and more ready now

[@Nagmbeirut]

This is the best video on KZbin about preparing for your viva. It is constructive and I really appreciate the work you put into it and the informative website. Thanks a lot. On a side note; I hoped you would include advice on how to answer difficult questions or those you didn’t anticipate with some examples.

[@GradCoach]

Glad to hear that :)

[@students4life821]

This video is beyond brilliant! You just got a new subscriber :)

[@imrankhurshid2916]

I will say just one thing, that is thank you so much and may God bless u both

[@badfox1978]

This analysis makes complete sense to me. Thank you so much for relating it in a low key unfussy way. I am really grateful. Wish me luck for my viva!!!

[@Yanna2180]

Thank you for these questions. They are extremely helpful

[@kittyroo9294]

This is the most helpful analysis of the viva questions I have found anywhere. thank you so much.

[@GradCoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@satvikvenkatesh]

I just defended my thesis today and I found this video extremely helpful! Thank you very much!

[@GradCoach]

Glad it helped!

[@aminbawazir2760]

I think both gentlemen described the part related to the discussion in a good and clear way. They are focused on the way they bring the answers to many researchers who have no experience in constructing their discussion. Thank you very much.

[@GradCoach]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@mantwamadiba4715]

I am forever indebted to you both. Thank you so much.

[@johnturner2629]

This is the best video I have found so far!!

[@henrytura7017]

I will be doing my final defense for my dissertation anytime soon. This video is very helpful. Thanks and God Bless.

[@mehrgheyriis3863]

Tommorow i have my defense and you uploaded this at the very right time😊.thanks

[@GradCoach]

Haha, great to hear that. Good luck!

[@LilacsAndLavender]

Thank you for discussing this in such a calm and straightforward way. Very helpful and reassuring!

[@GradCoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@trudyann26]

I am going to defend in a month. These questions have been so helpful. Thank You!!!

[@GradCoach]

You got this!

[@jean-pierrecastillejo5477]

Excellent approach in how to approach the defense of a thesis. Thank you very much!

[@GradCoach]

You're welcome :)

[@aliceedithsumbatala9080]

I feel more confident i will pass my Viva with this video thanks

[@eritrea91foundation61]

The helping hand on one on one is so good, thanks gradcoach

[@GradCoach]

Happy to help!

[@shal5660]

My defense is in a few hours, how did you know?! Thank you for this timely video!

[@GradCoach]

Good luck with your defense!

[@bushraalderbi714]

My Viva is Tomorrow, this was a great help thank you.

[@Mslunch01]

Thanks for the info it was really helpful, doing my defense in a weeks time😊

[@hellenirungu3059]

I'll be defending my LLB dissertation tomorrow, this will go a long way!

[@Joeybsmooth]

Man this is so stressful, my stomach started to hurt after questioning one 😂. Thinking of how I would answer it . Thanks for the video guys. Better to be stressed now.

[@GradCoach]

You can do it!

[@myphdjourney6999]

Very good session, thank you so much! It is very helpful.

[@GradCoach]

Glad to hear that.

[@ayesha1134]

Excellent presentation really helped a lot to start viva preparation.

[@arianaahani7041]

Thank you so much for the great video. I will defend my doctoral dissertation in clinical psychology soon. I feel more confident watching this video. Thanks!

[@GradCoach]

Best of luck!

[@livemethodscommunity]

Amazing! Among dozens of video this ONE was the MOST EFFICIENT for me! my need was: to conceptualize what are the quesitons and what are the good answers for my viva. This video gives a good frame. Yesterday I was absolutely vague, was absolutely unsatisfied with my answers. Now I am finishing wirting my answers, with clear logic and vision what I am doing in my answers. Viva has turned into pleasure. Thank you guys for great video. Like your products very much.

[@GradCoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@elizabethbabafemi2057]

Thank you so much - My PhD viva is on Tuesday - This is helpful

[@TheUmaragu]

Love this- very nice explanation.

[@phillipthabokatai1940]

Thanks for this presentation, very informative and helpful.

[@GradCoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@temesgenfile7707]

Interesting presentation!! Thanks,

[@jwcrowson]

Grad Coach, Thank you for the excellent questions and answers assistance. I fully passed my dissertation defense yesterday and a few of these questions were asked during the Q&A time. Because I watched this video, I was better prepared and answered all questions masterfully. Again, thank you, Dr. James Crowson 😃

[@GradCoach]

That's awesome to hear :) Well done, Doctor!

[@ndaikilerainhold4959]

I will be having mine in few days. Hoping they just ask similar questions 🤣🤣

[@palesamolelilehula4278]

Informative. Thank you

[@MileySophie19]

I have my defense in 4 days, thank you so much for this video! Super helpful 🙏🙏

[@GradCoach]

Good luck!

[@gofaiz]

Great video and very useful thank uou

[@aliyuabubakar8219]

Thank you guys. I will be defending my PhD thesis this week.

[@jennefawendorkorvayan7721]

Best of luck to you, also defending mine next week masters in Environmental engineering

[@user-pk8fl1kt3k]

Thank you so much. This is really helpful, I have learnt new things. God bless

[@GradCoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kaginalauraarc4658]

I have mine in twp days. Thank you sooo much.

[@yoditbelayneh]

Thank you so much. That was quite helpfully.

[@GradCoach]

Glad it helped!

[@ahlem9185]

Thank you very much. I just want t know if there is any possibility to talk a bit about literary research projects

[@esgroup3485]

This video was very helpful. Keep up

[@nishanthi1468]

Thank you. This is really useful to me.

[@GradCoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ibrahimsopakamara9609]

i most confess this viva guide is very much important, i have viewed it more than ten times my viva is on the 26th of this month

[@GradCoach]

Glad it's helpful :)

[@angelinashomemadeherbals9828]

Very helpful video and very useful questions. I am preparing for my viva. It's 3 months down the lane.

[@GradCoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chilephiri404]

This is very helpful

[@everyday004]

thank you for this video ... defending next week

[@GradCoach]

Best of luck!

[@soli751]

Thank you for this helpful video. There are 10 questions you have discussed, right?

[@nourredinekebaili]

Thank you. Very interesting

[@mairasabdrahman3861]

Tq for the tips. Will make use of it when the time comes

[@GradCoach]

Welcome 😊

[@liliansinyangwe9661]

This is very useful!

[@josephakaka76]

Your videos are handy and helpful

[@BridgetMumbaStephenson-fn4kk]

Thank you so much for pointers

[@GradCoach]

You are so welcome!

[@christiesamuel6760]

this is great!

[@chrisogonas]

I defend in 2 days' time. This is tremendously useful. Thanks, Grad Coach!

[@GradCoach]

You got this!

[@chrisogonas]

@@GradCoach Thank you!

[@roopabl]

Thank you so much.

[@HazelB-bz4od]

This was really helpful, thanks Grad Coach! I have my master's thesis defense next week. Will update here on how it went :)

[@GradCoach]

Thanks, Hazel. Please do :)

[@HazelB-bz4od]

@@GradCoach It went well and I am done with my master's degree! Thank you again for this video with all your recommendations! :)

[@comfortmhakayakora2212]

Thank you.

[@mamwrites]

This is very helpful 🙏🙏

[@GradCoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@daliamehaisi9328]

Thank you very much for the nice video it gives me some useful insights about preparing for my viva, I will have my defence in a few weeks. Hopefully, everything will go as well with me so I can come back and shere my experience 🌷🌷🌷

[@GradCoach]

Best of luck!

[@ImtithalSaeed]

You always help me

[@GradCoach]

Glad to hear it

[@shambukedir782]

thanks a lot !

[@kittyroo9294]

Do you explain the methods first or the research questions?

[@dixonkagurusiampumuza8771]

Two hrs to my defense , thanks 🙏

[@GradCoach]

Good luck!

[@oguntolupeter7933]

Nice job!!

[@GradCoach]

Thanks!

[@irenewobusobozi7591]

Thanks

[@nawrasqusay2164]

hello please can u tell me how can i remove duplicate ref. from new version of Mendeley

[@witty188]

Hello! #GradCoach, in a research proposal is it necessary to include a chapter termed" Literature review "? Thanks.

[@GradCoach]

Generally, you'd need to include a basic literature review as part of your proposal. The depth required for this initial LR in the proposal will vary between universities, so its a good idea to double-check with your institution what they require/expect. We do also have a video covering the research proposal specifically, so you may want to watch that one too.

[@alizaismailfunlife]

I've PhD defense tomorrow

[@jhamdan2012]

I like you guys so much.

[@GradCoach]

Thanks

[@betelhembitew2207]

amazing

[@GradCoach]

Thanks

[@user-kd1dn2xy8b]

smart questions

[@GradCoach]

Thanks. Good luck!

[@alihadi7118]

Pls doctor how can do same this video to shown the text on screen?

[@GradCoach]

You can click the "CC" button to view the transcript.

[@moatzsy7931]

My MA VIVA is coming up soon. Wish me luck

[@GradCoach]

Good luck!

[@tonyr.2321]

Good day Dr. I have a question; What is the difference between "Identifying a Research Gap" and "Creating a Research Gap" within a Lit Review? or Can we way that they are the same thing? Thanks Dr.

[@GradCoach]

Thanks for the question, Tony. These are both referring to the same thing - identifying a gap in the research.

[@tonyr.2321]

@@GradCoach thank you Dr.

[@alinuromer5876]

Great

[@GradCoach]

Thanks

[@WorkSmarterToday]

thanks so much.

[@GradCoach]

You're welcome!

[@dinaacademy8109]

I am preparing for that next year

[@GradCoach]

Good luck!

[@SijuMarkose]

I lost the focus on who's interviewing who 🤭

[@GradCoach]

:)