Hi All

I am a distance learning Doctorate student, and I have recently attended my viva 2 weeks ago in the UK. The outcome was passed with major amendments. It was probably one of the most horrid experiences of my life. Despite getting positive comments from my supervisor, I received many negative feedbacks during the viva. At the end of the viva, I was crushed and felt defeated when they communicated to me the result and major amendments required. During the Viva, both examiners were in favour of qualitative research methods and didn't seem to agree with my quantitative approach.

I was told that this supposed to be a constructive session, but it was ended like a ‘bashing’ session.

Viva aside, I would like to seek for your view how I can approach the following amendment:

My examiners requested me to seek for new data to bring more meaning to my case study and to ensure some degree of triangulation. They (examiners) gave me two options – 1) either a comparison case study using the same measuring instruments or 2) qualitative data (interviews and focus groups). I prefer the first option using quantitative approach due to the current quantitative approach of my research.

I was very upset with the requests to collect more data because I have spent more than 9 months to collect my data using questionnaires. Now, I have to send out more questionnaire to collect more data. I felt that my examiners didn’t really understand my research and sending me an indirect message that my thesis is poorly designed. I was told to complete the amendments within 6 months.

My questions:

1) Has anyone of you encounters or in the same kind of situation being request to use a new set of quantitative data to compare to post research quantitative findings?
2) How do you approach new findings with post findings comparisons?

Appreciate your suggestions

Thanks
Kcsk20