PhD Resubmit re-viva advice

[PhDWoe]

So I’ve been doing an endless part time mixed methods PhD in a STEM subject area

whilst progressing through the project (employed by the uni but no time allocation for study given) I became increasingly aware that my supervisors were actually clueless about qualitative methods (and a few other aspects of the study design they had suggested)

prior to submission the thesis was read by 4 separate supervisors (2 mine and 2 colleagues) all thought it had some issues but was essentially fine.

the examiners ripped it to shreds because of significant methodological errors based on my supervisors advice. They wanted to award me an MPhil but I think swayed towards R&R mostly cos it’s embarrassing for the uni to fail a staff member.

Since then, I’ve re-analysed two major data sets using different methodology and done an additional study and resubmitted. I’ve also published 3 papers (with a 4th accepted).
Viva is soon

i’ve noticed having gone through it again that there are a few errors, mostly typographical and not major but one is the insertion of a table from the previous iteration of the thesis and it just shouldn’t be there. It’s a pretty major thing to overlook (thesis was reread twice by my two useless supervisors) and obviously my fault (I have ADD so found the whole thesis-writing process unbearable especially part time).

not sure if it helps but the most recently accepted paper is a condensed version of this data chapter (without the random table insertion) so in a sense I’ve already corrected it.

I can only pass the re-viva if they make a minor errors recommendation.

there are a few other things worrying me about the thesis - it’s not perfect (also I now work for a different institution so I don’t think they’ll mind failing me now!)

I guess what I’m asking is where is the line between major and minor errors in a thesis?
Also is there anything I can do in the viva to nudge the examiners towards minor corrections (eg reassurance, an action plan for corrections etc)?

TL:DR
noted thesis errors and it’s a proper pass/fail situation - how can I constructively reassure examiners?

Just here to offer positive thoughts and hoping for a swift response for you.

The key is to remember that in a viva you have to defend your thesis. I didn’t really understand this till I sat in as an observer on one of my students who simply agreed with all the criticisms the examiners made instead of trying to justify her work. When I had my viva I discovered that one chart simply hadn’t photocopied and was missing from the examiners’ copy.Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

@Yarnosaura

things I think on reflection that would have helped me.

regular short breaks - 1 every 1-2 chapters depending on the discussion

ask for a reasonable adjustment requesting that examiners move through the thesis in a linear fashion and don’t jump back and forth between sections

request that examiners refer to specific page numbers when taking about specific sections

ask examiners to rephrase when asking long/waffly questions

make notes if they’re asking long/extended/multi- part questions.

definitely speak to your disability office about reasonable adjustments ahead of time

Thank you

Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

I have news!

Not out of the woods yet as it has to be Centrally ratified but they’re recommending a pass with minor corrections (though they’ve verbally told me that the corrections will be slightly more extensive than normal).

I’ll get confirmation in the next two weeks once Centrally confirmed (or challenged - does that ever happen???)

thanks all for your support
any insight into whether central university ever goes against examiner recommendation would be appreciated (all three examiners are united on the recommendation)

The confirmation is a rubber-stamping exercise. It won't be challenged.

Congratulations!

I don't have experience in this but congratulations on getting this far. Sounds like an amazing achievement under very trying circumstances

That's wonderful news!!

That's brilliant news I expect though that there might be a bit of toing and froing. The issue will be how to write the report so that they can still call it minor corrections

So don't worry if it takes a bit longer then you expect.

Fantastic, OP. You have earned every moment of your qualification. Very relieved for you. You really deserve this success.

Congratulations!

Thank you SO MUCH

Yes they said that was the delay in giving me the outcome - they wanted to run in by the central PG team to check the best approach.

I expect they’ll still be a bit of work for them to do but the examiners are being VERY supportive

feels like a total turnaround from the last viva. I think they realise that the chronic lack of supervisory support was a real issue

I know nothing about this subject, stumbled in from "Active conversations" but just wanted to say Congratulations!

And as a layperson I can't believe that you would ever have been asked questions without them referring to the page number- that's utterly basic in my professional field.

Congratulations OP!

I will say that your whole story fills me with horror, I technically do a full time phd and a, in year 3, but also work 40 hours a week and the juggle is real. I've had some horrific issues with student finance and the uni as well and it's all just very horrible.

Your supervisors should never have put you in a position where you were submitting something which they said had issues but was "essentially fine". Also, unless your uni differs, my supervisors appoint the externals, and my DoS will sit on the board with the externals.

Your tips about adjustments have helped, I have ADD as well and if I think about the viva too much it makes me panic!

Enjoy your new title Dr!

You're a Doctor! I love good news!

Well done doctor! Just wanted to say for anyone reading in future - one of my tables in my doctoral thesis was totally incorrect and I noticed it 3 days before viva..I brought a correct copy with me and pointed it out immediately. All was fine doing that.

Fabulous news, well done

That must be such a relief.

Congratulations !

Well done Dr PhDWoe!!
All PhDs have to be ratified in this way so please don’t worry, it’s just an admin procedure. Fantastic news!

That's great news. I won't bore you with the sorry tale of my PhD misery but I did burst into tears when I got through the viva with minor corrections. Well done you :)

Thanks so much everyone. I don’t think I’ll believe it until I get the official email from the central committee, but it’s an enormous relief

Fantastic news! In fact I thought it'd be something like this. And like the others, I've never heard of central registry changing a decision. N.b. If you feel you might need more time to do the corrections, do ask once the minor corrections decision is formalised. It's perfectly reasonable if you're part-time, and or need for adjustments.

Congratulations!