======= Date Modified 12 Jun 2011 23:48:48 =======
Hi Bilbo.

Ok, I feel like a fool now :( and my heart sank when I read your post! (I wanted to delete the 'I passed' bit from this post title!).

I gather this resubmission is sort of a deferred pass, depending on their assessment of the resubmitted PhD. Apologies- looks as if I've misled everyone here! :$

I can see what your saying. I haven't passed in the sense of pass with minors or pass with no corrections, but for me, this is a pass as I was not failed outright or failed with an MPhil. I don't have to sit a second viva so at least that's something.

Thanks for letting me know though :) I'm going to hide away in a corner somewhere (feeling embarrassed!) lol

I managed to achieve my resubmission goal which is what I wanted. Following from such lovely positive feedback from my viva examiners, I'm fired up to finish this resubmission asap and focus on disseminating my work.

I have to remember it could have been an MPhil or an outright fail. I have to be grateful that their giving me a second chance for a PhD

======= Date Modified 12 Jun 2011 18:35:12 =======
Hello!

Just wanted to thank everyone for such lovely posts! :) This hasn't sunk in yet and it doesn't feel real. I feel exhausted more than anything, but very pleased! I'm assuming a resubmission is a pass?!?! (sorry, starting to question whether I've passed now! )

As soon as I walked into my viva , they said their recommending a resubmission for a PhD- my dream outcome considering my overly long thesis. I was totally convinced I failed. I spent the entire viva thinking WHAT?! is this really happening to me, consequently not able to process much of their recomendations!!! My examiners were very very positive and they looked at me very strangely when I said I thought I failed. They said I've got an extremely extensive PhD and I should be proud of putting in so much work into one PhD thesis. They also said they enjoyed reading my PhD thesis and that I should seriously considering most of it for publication, including content that I need to exclude to keep to the 100,000 word limit.

Now, I'm feeling confused. I'm having to process extremely positive feedback. I was in bits before the viva- lots of tears, shaking and drawing a complete blank on my thesis results!

My viva was basically a semi-formal chat on suggestions of how to improve my thesis, my views on some concepts and personal reflections during the PhD process.

Also, I wasn't expecting some reactions from some people after the viva. Researchers with PhDs were extremely happy for me, but there seemed to be some strange reactions from PhD students who started the same time as me but are still working on their thesis and others in their first or second year and friendswho dropped out of uni. I'm probably being overly sensitive, but I wasn't expecting odd reactions to my viva result. Anyway, it doesn't matter. I'm pleased I got through the viva in one piece. If I can do this, anyone can-seriously!

8-)

======= Date Modified 12 Jun 2011 23:32:51 =======
Hello!

Just thought I would pass on the good news.......... (I've edited this post after clearing up a few misunderstandings on viva outcomes)

After a very long wait (I submitted in September 2010) I'm pleased to announce that I got through my PhD viva with a resubmission. In my head, I'm defining this as a pass because I was not failed outright or failed with an MPhil referral. My examiners were extremely positive about my thesis (very unexpected as I thought I failed!) and they've recommended I convert my thesis chapters into 5-6 (or more) journal publications, so all in all, not a total disaster.

Apologies folks. Not quite Dr Pineapple yet- I've got to tackle my thesis and resubmit.

Thanks for the support everyone :-)

:-)

I'm just going to have to wait and see. All I can do now is just concentrate on a strong defence, acknowledge my shortcomings and hope and pray they let me resubmit for a PhD. I don't intend to do much prep tomorrow, other than reading through my thesis, my justifications, practice my viva questions and a little more reading.

I still think an MPhil is a very strong possiblity, but it's not the end of the world if that's the final outcome.

Anyway bye for now postgraduate forum. Hopefully next time I visit this site, I'll have something positive to say on Friday afternoon.

Thanks for the best wishes and good luck vibes people. I really appreciate it.

======= Date Modified 08 Jun 2011 21:03:12 =======
Thanks everyone. I still think it's probably borderline, but I'm focusing my energies on delivering a strong defence. My examiners make the final decision on my final result (not me or my supervisors!) so there's no point worrying about the final outcome.

In terms of the pro list ie qualities worthy of a PhD, drawing from the PhD criteria on the 'find a PhD' website, my thesis includes.......

a) Contribution of something new (the 'significant contribution to knowledge')
b)  Situation in existing knowledge: a critical review of prior research which motivates and justifies the research question- I've tried to summarise the errors of previous studies, by placing particular attention to methodological, geographical and statistical analysis flaws. But I know my thesis is not as evaluative as it could be.

Furthermore, my contributions include the following............

i)  Drawing together two or more existing ideas and showing that the combination reveals something new and useful
ii)  Implementation of theoretical principle: showing how it can be applied in practice; making concrete someone else's idea, and hence showing how it works in practice and what its limitations are
iii)  Empirically-based characterization of a phenomenon of interest (e.g. detailed, critical, analytic account of the evolution of an idea; detailed ana­lytic characterization of a crucial case study or a novel chemical compound, or a new planet)
iv) Providing a taxonomy of observed phenomena

But because of the length and errors contained within my thesis, I know my thesis lacks in some respects with the following qualities....(which are important for a 'satisfactory thesis'),
   * A thesis: one coherent over-riding 'story' or argument that embodies a research insight
    * Appropriate voice and argument: the provision of clear and explicit evidence, substantiation and chain of inference

In the viva, I suspect I'm going to be grilled on the above two points by describing the story verbally.

Anyway, I'll find out soon enough I guess!

Best of luck to everyone in the same boat as me! I really hope we can all post successful stories soon!!

(sprout)

Thanks everyone. Trying to stay positive!! Difficult though as my supervisors have just warned me to expect a particularly brutal viva on Friday :$ and a strong possibility of an MPhil if I'm not clear of my research objectives. Nice ay!

I submitted my thesis 9 months ago- all in all an agonisingly wait. I hate my life sometimes! My urge to quit is especially strong today (due to sups negativity today), so I'm mostly concentrating on my thesis strengths this morning, but I'll be reading and refreshing literature surrounding my thesis and continuing preparing answers to potential viva questions this afternoon.

Then tomorrow, it's a short trip to my uni and staying at a nearby hotel for Thursday night. Two more sleeps, then it's all over (well for viva anyway!)

I feel so deflated, tired with a strong sense of nausea. What will be will be.....

======= Date Modified 07 Jun 2011 11:38:35 =======
Well, I've got just over 3 days worth of viva prep before by exam on Friday.

I feel physically sick, tired, drained and numb, but I also feel relieved this viva will be over and done with soon enough. Yesterday I kept shaking with nerves everytime I thought about the exam, but today, I'm feeling relatively calm.

Instead of thinking about failing (which still enters in my head every 10 minutes or so), I'm trying to shift my thinking towards more proactive and positive thoughts......I'm trying my best to convince my examiners that my work is worthy of a resubmissionfor a PhD. I've created the following documents in prep for this viva. I'm still working through some of it, but I want to finish most of it by this evening to allow for a few days complete thesis read through. What do you think?

1) Pre viva corrections- list of errors throughout. This is a rather large document!- page numbers, proposed correction and error presented in table form.
2) Additional studies- I failed to include in my submitted draft
3) Viva questions- 60 odd viva questions to work through and practice answering
4) Summarising thesis- coming up with justifications for decisions I've made along the way
5) 2 A4 summaries of ideas on how to restructure and reduce my literature review chapters.
6) Thesis strengths and contributions. This document is helping me remain positive.

Sadly my supervisors will not be around for my viva, so I will be alone when they announce their verdict. But based on the above, my male supervisors thinks I'm prepared for this viva(although I know I've still got a long way to go!). My thesis is a mission to read- especially as it's so long and in parts and difficult to follow! I think my examiners probably want to throw this monster out of their windows! I cringe every time I see an error. I think the big task is being able to summarise everything and get to the point and overall objective of my work.

I'm hoping and praying they can see the potential in my work and allow me to resubmit. Time will tell I guess and I'll find out soon enough.

Well, I've got only a few full days of viva prep ahead of me until my big day. Over the last few days I've started to feel a strong sense of nausea, problems sleeping, silent tears and feeling depressed about everything.

I'm trying to save myself from PhD failure by directing all my efforts into this PhD. I've formulated various documents in an attempt to convince my examiners that my work is worthy of a resubmit. What do you think?

1) Pre-viva corrections- acknowledged errors in table form with page number and proposed correction. This is a very large document!
2) Additional studies. I'm trying to show an awareness of studies that could be integrated into my literature review chapters.
3) List of thesis strengths. This is helping me stay positive and focusing on the strengths of my thesis.
4) Chapter revisions- ideas about restructuring my literature review chapters and ideas about reducing everything down.
5) I've devised a list of approx 60 odd viva questions to work through and prepare for. These questions are helping work on justifications for decisions I've made along the way.
6) Thesis summary. I've tried to summarise the main points of my thesis in order to revise the main sections of my thesis.

I'm finding it a mission to read through this 120,000 word thesis- I suspect my examiners are probably wanting to throw my thesis out the window!

I'm still very concerned about failing this PhD due to the state of my thesis, but I'm desperately trying to be proactive about my thesis and concentrate on the positives of my work. Towards the end of this week I'm probably going to spend some time relaxing and reflecting on everything and reinforce positive thinking, self belief and self efficacy- easier said than done!

Due to supervisors annual leave and booked holiday, my supervisors will not be around after my examiners announce their verdict, so I'm going to be all alone post viva
:-(

Roll on the weekend!!! ,-) Regardless of passing or failing, it will be good to get this viva out of the way (unless they cancel on me again- my external examiner has already requested a change in timings on the day!)

======= Date Modified 03 Jun 2011 08:03:22 =======
Thanks for your replies.

I think I'm making the mistake of focusing on the negatives and forgetting the positive bits of my thesis. For some reason I'm fixating on the bad things- which could get me into trouble(ie sloppy writing, too detailed) and not focusing on the positives (ie highly original mixed method national study with four lengthy chapters utilising 3 different methods and 3 different perspectives and also includes guidelines, measures and sampling frames that could benefit services and future research). I'm also forgetting that my internal examiner wrote in her upgrade feedback that I have an extensive, impressive and well structured thesis with the academic capability to complete a PhD. I imagine my supervisors and departments will also suffer if I fail so I guess my examiners are not out to fail me. As long as I can demonstrate originality, research competency and critical yet clear thinking, I should pull through this.

Right serious viva prep time. Thanks again for the support.

In just over a week, this will all be over soon- and I can stop filling this forum with panicky negative posts- which will probably be a relief to some! Sending some (sprout) for positive and productive thinking.

Happy Friday everyone (up)

Thanks everyone. Well after a long sleep and break from my thesis, I'm feeling a little better.

Well, for one thing, I know my thesis benefits from originality, so I'm confident I can formulate a robust enough defence on questions relating to contribution to knowledge. I know there are some real strengths to my thesis- ie not just a research project but also measures, directories and guidelines that could help further research and service provision. I think it ultimately comes to self confidence, my tendency to think the worst of everything and being my worst enemy.

At the moment I'm currently finishing my acknowledged limitations.  Tomorrow I'll probably start the day with an early morning walk. Next, I'll focus on revising my thesis, devise plans of how to reduce everything down and work through my long list of viva questions.

What will be will be. Thanks for the reality check and continued support! :) (gift)

I know I'll probably upset a few postgraduate forum posters by submitting yet another negative post (apologies!)

Given that my viva is just over a week away, I'm preparing myself for a rough viva.

Whilst there are some good things about my thesis, namely, originality and extensive insight into a very under researched area, I'm more or less convinced that I've fallen at the last hurdle. Drawing from the Times Higher Educational web page on 'how not to write a PhD', I can see that I've made five major errors that are comparable to this publication.

1) An incomplete poorly formatted bibliography- I know I've missed references from my bibliography.
2) I failed to note my original contribution in my abstract- my contribution in my abstract is not clear enough.
3) Leave spelling mistakes in the script- I'm at page 14 and I've spotted 2 A4 pages worth of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors- I'm assuming this has really aggravated my examiners.
4) Make the topic of the thesis too large- considering that one examiner already rejected my thesis due to it's size, this point definitely applies to my thesis.
5) Submit a thesis with a short introduction and a short conclusion- again my thesis contains a short incoherent introduction and conclusion.

Although these are the sort of things I'm planning to attack with my resubmission.......

I guess if I'm going to survive this, I'm going to have to really focus on the strengths of my thesis, really defend my decisions, know my thesis inside and out, focus on my original contribution to knowledge and demonstrate that I'm aware of my thesis limitations by showing them my list of acknowledged limitations. My supervisors think that I'll most likely get a revise and resubmit, but it's completely up to me to save myself from failing by nailing my viva and answering their questions well.

However, due to lack of time, I was faced with submitting without my supervisors approval which is another reason why I'm so worried. According to my supervisors, my examiners are aware that I ran out of time and the submitted PhD was not approved my supervisors.

Anyway, I've come to the conclusion that other than formulating a very strong defence, there's nothing I can do now but remain positive and wait for my viva. Worrying about failing is probably not going to help matters and will probably just ruin my chances of performing well next week.

I think I'm going to take a semi break from my viva prep today, at least leave the house for a few hours. I haven't left the house in weeks and judging by my dads comments, others have noticed that I look tired, dishevelled, drained, unhappy and stressed.

Anyway, thanks for reading folks. All in all, it's a waiting game and I'm going to have to learn how to cope with this and probably speak to some professionals again about dealing with my anxiety, stress, and depressive thoughts. What will be will be. I can only do so much. Onwards positive thinking...

Thanks everyone- very helpful :)

I'm not taking any chances with my thesis- there's no way I'm going into this thinking my examiners will be 'push-over'! I'm trying to focus on the positives of my thesis and currently working through and revising the wider context.

Knowing what I know about my internal examiner and feedback I've received from colleagues re external examiner is helping me keep calm. I'll also be working through their publications to gage their perspective on things.  Both of my examiners are academics within this field and have written publications on the two population groups I've focused on. My external has published work in this field and my findings partly support and extend her publications, so I suspect she will question me on specific parts of my thesis that relate to her publications. My internal marked me throughout my upgrade report and has given me lengthy feedback on what she would like to see for the final PhD draft, so again, I have some idea of what type of questions may come up. I'm aware that there probably will be unexpected questions thrown at me, but I'm hoping if I can nail my knowledge of my research aims, my methodology, my results, my limitations, my implications and conclusions as well as an appreciation of the wider context and how I would do this PhD differently in hindsight, then I should survive this.

Regardless of whether I've failed or not, I know I've tapped into a very under researched field, adopted a combination of approaches (almost everyone has used 'mono-methods'), reported on findings across the UK (every single study that I know of has researched one region), utilised a combination of perspectives-proxy, user, relatives (most studies only collect views from one perspective), reported on comparisons between two populations (every single study that I know of has researched one population, whereas I've looked at each population separately and drawn comparisons between the two) and developed new measures and sampling frames to encourage and stimulate future studies and increase awareness of services (governmental body simply does not have access to this level of data or number of services across the UK). Although on the surface I don't feel it at the moment, deep down, I know I've made a difference somewhere, or at least provided a voice for small populations who have received no real research attention, at least in terms of published research.  What will be will be I guess.

I have 9 days worth of viva prep ahead of me with nothing else to focus on other than my viva. Lets just hope I can pull myself together and do this.

Thanks for the support everyone :) I'm feeling a little more positive about my PhD today :)

Hello,

According to recent discussions with members of my department, apparently my supervisors have selected 'very fair' examiners for my viva. My sups have also selected examiners who specialise in my thesis area(s) so they will have an understanding of some of the limitations, challenges and shortfalls within my thesis area. I know my internal examiner had the final say in upgrading me to PhD status and was otherwise very positive about my work and my abilities, so I'm hoping it's a good sign!

What does 'very fair' mean? I know what 'fair' means, but what does this mean in this examination process? Has anyone received similar feedback on their examiners prior to viva? Anyway, I appreciate that in person they may be viewed as 'very fair' and 'nice' in person, but they could very well turn into complete monsters and rip me to shreds! :-(

eeeeeeek 10 days left of viva prep to go!!!!! :$ Frantically trying to swot up on context, background and methodological issues surrounding my thesis!!!

Yes, I felt extremely depressed following submission, especially as I was forced to submit without my supervisors signing off a final draft. I literally could not get up in the mornings following submission.

I still feel unhappy and depressed about the whole situation. I've more or less convinced that I'm going to receive a BRUTAL viva (sups hinted as such) and I'm going to have to fight for a resubmission. However, I'm trying to think more positively, ie focusing on the POSITIVES (ie originality, extensive thesis)  and thinking of ways to improve my thesis and acknowledging my thesis shortfalls. I submitted in October and I have 10 days left of viva prep before my big day. So you can imagine, I've experienced a particularly long, painful and depressing state of limbo.

Congratulations on submission :) All the best with your viva prep. I recommend taking some time away from your thesis (ie at least a few weeks)- it will help with your viva prep.

Just under two weeks left before my viva ............

I feel so drained, tired and stressed! I'm trying not to fall in the trap of learned helplessness and an adverse self fulfilling prophecy given very low expectations from my supervisory team (ie possibility of an mphil, most likely outcome a resubmission, minor corrections, not a possibility).

I'm currently working through research papers mentioned in my thesis and a few new ones relevant to my thesis, with the ultimate aim to revise my subject again (its been 8 months since I submitted) and highlight the strengths of my thesis.

I'm pleased to say that no one has gone into this level of depth before, utilised my mixed method approach, utilised a specific sort of method, considered looking at various types of comparisons, developed directories to encourage further research and accelerate awareness of a service, along with presenting four lengthy result chapters in one study. All in all, I think I can put a case for demonstrating originality.

In terms of research competence- my thesis includes 1) reliability checks for both quantitative and qualitative methods and piloted measures etc etc. 2) evaluation of selected methods and considered other approaches. 3) effect size calculations throughout to demonstrate my findings- whereas only a very very small percentage of studies in my field have bothered to calculate effect sizes. My discussion chapter is very weak, but I've developed a plan of the main points of limitations, implications and conclusions I want to add to a resubmitted discussion chapter. I've also developed a handful of suggestions for further follow up studies. I've also formulated ideas about changing parts of my research question and implementation with the benefit of hindsight. In sum, I'm hoping I can put a case together to demonstrate competencies in research.

What's troubling me is that my literature review chapters are just too long and too detailed. I've also missed a few key references and some of my literature review sections contain little to no critical evaluation of the literature. Although, I've tried to summarise the main limitations of previous studies and gaps within the evidence base.

Anyway, plans before viva.

1) Continue flagging acknowledged limitations and omissions. Formulate a table of acknowledged limitations and errors, along with page numbers and intended correction.
2) Continue to revise and summarise arguments and points raised within my thesis chapters (page by page- eeek)
3) Finish 'plan for resubmission' document. Ideas about restructuring, reducing and cutting out some extra detail. Include plans for integrating more critical awareness of studies.
4) Finish reading and revising articles.

I seriously feel like I'm on some torturous journey sitting on death row, awaiting my execution! Dealing with this uncertainty is beyond awful! :(

I JUST WANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESUBMIT for a PhD!!! I don't want to fail this!! :(