Internal examining PhD - advice?

[purplepandas]

Hi,

I am the internal for an upcoming PhD. Does anyone have any tips? I've been an external once but it's an area where I lack expeirence for various reasons. Spent today reading the thesis (not quite finsihed) and yet to write the initial pre viva report.

I actually think that the thesis is really good (also PhD by publication) and this is supported by some of the papers already having been accepted in peer reviewed journals . I have noted some points and questions to follow up on but feel I should do more. Topic wise not my area (it is for the external) so I can't comment on topic so much.

I think I am struggling as I feel that I should have more to challenge as part of my job but the thesis is strong and therefore it feels like I am doing it for the sake of it (which is inherently not okay in my opinion).

Not sure that this makes sense but top tips welcome!

PP

Sorry for typos, that is appalling!

Basically, I always think of it like being a critical friend. You aren't there to make the final decision, you need to be led by the external, but also to add to their thinking and allow the candidate to answer unanswered questions and perform well. So, I wouldn't be overly critical but I would give them a very thorough critique, through which they can hopefully shine in the actual viva.

It's also fine to say this is a strong thesis and there aren't so many issues from your point of view. The external may have more content related points to make, just let them get on with it.

Thanks Orchirddingme (good name!)

That's v helpful and I am super grateful. It's interesting how I feel that I need to pick holes when I don't think that there are any major ones. I can be critical and questioning, that's all fine. I do think the student will shine, fingers crossed.

I had this with a thesis I examined last year (the third one I'd done).

I felt I needed to pick holes with it where actually there really weren't any. In the end we had a really good chat with the student about the research and it's policy implications (social sciences) but then moved on to future career plans and publications and how the PhD research would fit into that.

The student (now a post-doc) jokes that her viva was more like a careers session but I don't think that's a problem.

Thanks Game, that is very reassuring!