I know it isnt a requirement to have papers published but I'm asking how many you should have to be confident you wont fail?
Example: If they question the quality of a certain piece of work I have done(which im sure is going to happen), I can argue the fact that this bit has been reviewed by people in this field and has been published. :-)

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I'm in the sciences. My two papers covered two of the chapters in my thesis. One was in a good enough journal, the other wasn't in one with a high impact factor. My thesis is quite short in comparison with other theses in my field, im really dissappointed with it. :$

I have my viva coming up soon, I was wondering how many papers you should have to be confident that you will not fail your phd? I have two papers, both in journals. I'm not happy with my thesis, but I've shown that some of it is publishable.

Thanks for your comments, it's a little hard knowing where to start, needing to revise the thesis, the references, knowing all the gaps is as much work as writing the thesis itself, I'm finding it a little overwhelming :(

Did you all have a mock viva?

My viva is coming up soon and I am having problems preparing for it. I can't get myself into the right frame of mind and I feel a little overwhelmed at the amount of things I still dont know. I dont know how to revise for the viva. My thesis was not brilliant and was very short. I have gone through it and made a list of every typographical error and mistake that was there. I am panicing.

Anyone have any advice on how to revise for a viva?:$

Good luck Moomin 8-)

What should/shouldnt you bring to the viva? Is it wise to bring all your notes, papers(60+) books you've referenced? I was thinking of just bringing my thesis with short notes written on each page, any thoughts? Does everyone still have their notes they made 3 years ago, I might have lost mine :$

Thanks for the advice guys, I know I'm not the only person experiencing these kind of feelings about the phd/viva. :$

Thanks Bilbobaggins, they said yes it is quite short compared to others but more or less said that it is better to have a shorter good quality thesis rather than a bad long lengthed thesis. I havent been told my thesis is of good quality. I hope you're viva goes well for you8-)

Florence, A Big Hug from me :-) Doing a PhD can be the most stressful and lonely time. Talk to your supervisors about it, they are on your side, they know how stressful it can be, they were PhD students like us at one point, so they should understand and hopefully give you an extension. Good Luck:-)

Thanks for your reply Angelofthenorth. I really hope I will be one of them people who come out pleasantly surprised, but to be honest at this point in time I doubt I will be, there are some good bits in the thesis that I am really pleased with, the problem is there are more bits I'm not so pleased with, I dont think there is enough explanation of my results, I've noticed a mistake, and the thesis is too short, but I will defend it to the best I can. I read your thread, hope things work out for you. Good luck(up)

I think once you graduate you are not a part of the university anymore, and he is no longer your supervisor . If your thesis was completely wrong it would not have passed, i agree with the comment below, if your change your results you will undermine your phd.:-)

I would introduce my thesis in the abstract at the start. Introduce the subject in general in the literature review chapter, if it's your first chapter.

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Hi everyone, sorry in advance for this quite depressing thread. My viva is coming up quite soon and I know I will fail. My first two year did not go that well, my third year was good but by that time it was too late and my write up was very rushed in the end. I submitted on time but my thesis is quite thin in comparison to others, I know we say we shouldnt compare ourselves to others but from the average size of theses in my field, mine is on the lower end of the scale. It is the standard of a masters or undergraduate dissertation. Some of it is good but most of it is rubbish. The good stuff has been published. What I really want to ask is how does one prepare for the viva with this view on the work they are going to be defending? I'm not looking forward to it but I will not quit and want to defend my thesis as best I can. :-s

I thanked my supervisors, friends, family, the colleagues in the office with me for creating a good environment to study. Also the departmental staff for their help throughout the studies (ie technicians fixing computers, refilling ink cartridges, secretaries for helping organise the viva etc etc.) It doesnt have to be too formal, eg "I would also like to thank X for demonstrating their great coffee making skills, which has proved invaluable."

It's all a matter of personal taste but I don't like acknowledgements that are too formal, I like it to show a bit of character.