Hi AL,

good luck with your viva on Thursday.

I think the lists of typos / minor errors helps, as it shows that you are aware of them. I think it would be a lot worse if at the viva the examiners would mentioned the minor mistakes, and you would not have clue about them. It more or less puts you one step ahead in the game.

I think as important, if not more, is your knowledge of the subject and having a clear head on the day. The latter you probably only achieve by trying to relax now (easier said than done), making in sure you arrive on time for the viva, that you know where the venue is, making sure that you are comfortable with the clothes you wear etc.

Again good luck!

Good one, Pamw,

I overlooked that at first as well, and then noticed the missing "l". What a difference does it make! Very funny!:-)

Hi Chuff,

I have done a qualitative study. The quotes makes the study interesting and provides insight in what really has been said. It more or less invites the reader to draw their own conclusion. Therefore I think the more quotes the better, so would aim at least for 50 - 50.

However, in publications there is usually a limited word count, so if you want to publish it, you will need to reduce the size of the text, often this only goes by cutting quotes.

Hope this helps.:-)

Hi Biddy,

congratulations for passing the viva! Well done, good show!

Nice to hear that the essential part of the viva can be the content, and not so much minutia, like typos. As always, the "truth" is probably somewhere in the middle: one needs to know the stuff, yet also has to take care that it is presented neatly.

So do you have a big party? And what do you do that you get an examiner being flown in from Spain?:-)

In my opinion the key of success for any presentation is the contact / interaction with the audience.

If you know who you audience is, adapt your style in such a way that it fits with the audience, get eye contact, joke with them and make that people feel free to ask questions etc., then it is a winner.

Easier said than done, though!

Hi Claudia,

I see what you mean, I am in a similar position as you, have submitted several months ago and probably will have my viva in October or November.

Difficult to keep the interest in the thesis / preparation up to date. I do have a job that keeps me busy, yet would like a bit of intellectual stuff to do.

As preparation for the viva I am in the process of trying to get some of my thesis published. I am also trying to set a new project, although probably wiser not to do anything seriously until the viva is over.:-)

Hi Sneaks,

what kind of a dog have you got?

Personally I like cats, yet not much walking the cat. At home we always used to have a cat. Once, my brothers and I thought it would only be fair to take the cat for a walk, we had bought a collar and leash and went for a walk in the park. The first thing the cat did was climb in a tree and then jumped from a high historical old wall, to avoid strangling him, I had to jump as well! Not a great success!
:-)

Hi DanB,

just saw your posting, thanks.

So about 12 typos, that is helpful, gives me a bit of an idea what would be "normal". I think you are right, the more one re-reads the thesis the more one detects all kind of issues! To a certain extent great though, that it cannot be changed anymore, just have to accept it.

Did you take a list of typos to your viva?

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Ha ha,

the "b&*%$r" error is quite a funny one! Maybe you should keep it in, for a laugh!

Same with me, all errors were existing other words, therefore not picked up with the spell check.

I hope the SPSS is working and that you make good progress regarding the analysis. Cold down here as well. I have been to the gym, that always makes me feel good and relaxed afterwards. So I am quite happy. Wish you well.

:-)

Ah, just saw this posting.

So how are the statistics going? Are your figures making sense again?

Hi Sneaks,

thanks. The same for me, better typos than major rewites.

I agree that the examiners may just not notice the errors, like I did not notice them when I wrote and read, and re-read etc. the whole thing. It is to amazing that all of a sudden one sees the mistakes, when one has a little distance to the work.

How are you today?

Hi Keenbean,

although the issue seems to have been resolved and you seem to be happier regarding not having to do the teaching, I still wanted to add this little posting.

Like the others have indicated I believe it is best to look after yourself. Even stronger I think that your health is the most precious issue and as such would see this as your main priority. Once your health / bipolar disorder / thyroid is under control then it may be best to concentrate on the PhD.  What is the use of teaching if it goes at the expense of health and or PhD? And it seems your department really cares, which is actually quite a nice thing to read. I would not feel guilty about it.:-)

Dear all,

I have submitted some time ago and am preparing for the viva, although I am not sure when that will actually be. As advised by Bilbo I have made a list of typos.

I have found 6 typos which really need correction. There are also about 4 small passages which are written a bit unconventionally, yet are strictly speaking grammatically correct.

My view is that this seems quite acceptable, yet have no idea how many typos are the norm in a thesis. What would be your views? And would you stick to real errors or also include the "style issues"?
:-)

Hi AQ,

sorry to read regarding your disappointment after you have worked so hard. It must habe been even more disheartening, as the message related to postponing the submission was given in such an unprofessional way.

Even so perhaps it comforting to read that you are not he only one who had to wait longer than expected. Quite of few of us were thinking of completion in Summer and are moving towards the Winter, for some it will take even longer. So, do not give up, keep going, you will get there! :-)

Hi Sue, AL, AQ, Bilbo,

thank you for the support. It seems that we are all at nearly at the finish line (obviously Bilbo already over it) and it is great we encourage each other.

Probably my viva will be end of October or even in November, as such I have plenty of time to prepare. Indeed, I find the book from Tinker and Jackson very useful and have summarised my thesis as they have recommended, also more or less made a list like Bilbo suggested regarding originality etc.

AL, must be difficult to wait for the recheck of your white blood cell count. Perhaps the thought reassures you that if the white blood cell count would have been really very abnormal, I would presume that the doctor would have done something immediately. Even so the waiting must be stressful. Perhaps throwing yourself in viva preparation may help you taking your mind of things. I know, easier said than done.

The encouraging bit seems that we are making progress. Keep on going.
:-)