possibly. I'd give it a go.

I'd try an update for mendeley too. Which version do you use? I use the developer one - so often the bugs aren't ironed out very well.

its mendeley, not word - I think its just a bug, there's nothing I could find to stop it happening, just save VERY regularly and always save before using mendeley e.g. inserting citation

I had a few where I didn't really get the question, so I just pushed it in the direction of what I wanted to talk about and then smiled broadly haha! - I then got a confused look from the examiners and they went onto the next question.

I did disagree with one about something, so I argued it, he obviously wasn't budging, so I just said - "its a fair point" and got on with it - in my mind, there is no point in arguing extensively with 2 experts - if they both agree, then you'll end up digging yourself a hole with it and getting into more trouble and possibly look like an arse in the process. I think you should defend to a certain point, but if they have a fair comment, then there's nothing wrong with acknowledging that and saying they are possibly right.

I think if they've helped shape the work and its gone into your thesis, then yes. I'm putting myself as 1st author for these ones.

But I also collected data and analysed it which didn't get into my thesis in the end, and sup never saw. So I don't think I'll add her on, unless she helps me shape the papers in the writing stage.

My sup asked me to do this for some of my more complicated stuff. Often she asked me to take it out again after she had understood it though!

If it were me, I'd just add a clarifying sentence e.g. "In order to make a statistical comparison between the mean scores of each group, a t-test was used (Reference from a general stats textbook)". That way you've explained what it does and provided a reference.

Wow, that's almost a thesis in itself!

I was asked why I chose a specific qualitative analysis technique. I was also asked why I chose my epistemolical stance.

I found writing a chart out on a piece of paper with columns saying "technique" "+" "-" "do differently" really helped with these answers. So what technique did you do? Advantages/disadvantages to using it and then what would I do differently (i.e. what other ways I could have done it, why didn't I).

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:-)

I practiced the Bilbo-5 and then used that info to answer some of these (although none of them came up!)

In one sentence, what is your thesis?
What do you think you have done that merits a award of a PhD?
Why were you interested in this research topic?
Whom do you think would be most interested in your work?
Summarise your key findings. What was the most interesting to you?
What have you learnt from your research experience?
What would you do differently if you could do your thesis again?
What advice would you give to a new research student entering this topic area?
What are the most recent major developments in your area?
Which are the three most important papers that relate to your thesis?
How does your research relate to these?
What is your original contribution to research in your subject area?
Has your view of your research topic changed during the course of the research?
What are the main achievements of your research?
What are any alternatives to the approach or method you used? Why did you decide not to use them?
What published work is closest to what you have done? How is your work different?
How do you know that your findings are correct?
How long term is your contribution
Have you thought about publications? Which journals are appropriate?
What were the crucial research decisions you made?
What do you see as the next steps in this research?

I didn't have a mock, I did have a lady who kind of asked me some questions so I suppose it was mock-ish, but her questions were FAR less sophistocated than the ones asked in my viva. It made me feel more confident that I did know my thesis, but it didn't prepare me for the types of questions - I just got hubs to grill me on the ones I thought would come up and that was more useful IMO

I now can't decide what to get sup. I don't think a 'world's best supervisor' mug would be accurate or appropriate. But feel like a bottle of wine isn't really enough

People do offer mon-fri accomodation in most cities, so you lodge/rent from them only for the days you actually want it, and it would just be a room, so cheaper than a whole flat.

Its a tricky one, sensible me would advise you not to compromise your career for your other half, because one day you may resent him for that. But then I also know what's its like to want to spend time with them!

Is it conceivable to get a job relevant to your studies elsewhere, but be able to see your other half 3-4 days a week (e.g. you could mon-fri it somewhere and see him at least on fri, sat, sun nights)

So you're not working now?

I'd definitely get a job, the market is tight now, and having holes on your CV is not a good idea if you can help it. Why do you have to move country?

Also, I'd like to say Congratulations! to all the people who passed recently and I didn't pop in and say anything - tbh I couldn't bring myself to read viva threads so steered clear, but am v pleased for everyone :-)