The table above reminds us not to take things too seriously. If you feel that your results are underwhelming, you may consider yourself a member of the academic club, everyone tends to produce results at one point in their research career that they themselves consider underwhelming. For the defense however, the key here is not to focus on the results themselves, but rather on the overall arguments and the overarching discussion that surrounds your results and provides a context to your key points. Be ready to defend and explain anomalies in data, or the specific choices that you made with respect to why you chose a specific research method instead of another. The thesis defense should be viewed as an exercise for you to be able to explain your overall argument and show why it is consistent. Remember that the thesis defense does not exist for you to be criticized with regards to other peoples data or research. As long as you have a strong grasp of your own research topic, you should be able to breeze through the defense. You can feel assured that (for most cases) no external expert or review committee will know more about your specific thesis than you do. As long as this disparity in knowledge holds true, it doesn’t matter how much more they know about the overall research field, if you are more knowledgeable of your specific research inquiries and their underlying assumptions.
The second point that I want to highlight is that all of your conclusions should follow from the results that has been presented (which in turn come from the data that you collected, depending on research area). With other words, all of the conclusions that are mentioned should follow logically from the underlying premises. I remember once attending a thesis defense where it was clear that the doctoral student highlighted certain conclusions that had no basis in the person’s data, and that sort of things tends to get highlighted real fast. So you need to be careful about that.
The third point concerns quality. The work must of course be of high quality, this is understood by all, but it also means that the data was gathered properly and that the sources that you cite are relevant and authoritative. Make sure that the image/story that you are presenting during your defense is internally consistent. Thus, even if an opponent has issues with a specific method that you chose, they cannot claim that your research contradicts itself. Apparent contradictions can be very problematic, and if you suspect that there might be a contradiction somewhere in your thesis, you need to be ready to explain that paragraph if asked to.
The last thing I want to mention has to do with the mental state of the one who is presenting. There is no doubt that public speaking is stressfull for a lot of people, and it is therefore extra important to remember to not place to much weight on the matter. It is after all only a speech. You know the topic, why worry, you literally wrote a book on it! As one says in swahili, hakuna matata is an appropriate attitude to have towards the thesis defense. It is important to remember that studies, specifically doctoral studies, are more than just a written dissertation. Instead, it encapsulates the whole process where you gradually learn more about your specific research work. Regardless of whether you achieve a undergraduate, postgraduate or doctoral degree at the end of your research, that degree only symbolizes the start of a learning journey, and not the end. Unlike the common conception, PhD studies shouldn’t be viewed as a dreadful and draining undertaking that finally culminates in this large-scale orgasmic metamorphosis where you are transformed from this lowly caterpillar to become a fully-feathered and competent butterfly.
The list below contains a few links to real examples of theses defenses. Do check out the presentation by Dr. Ben Conrad which is really good example of a thesis defense done right, it manages to be informative, to the point as well as engaging the audience and the material.
Ben Conrad | Mechanical Engineering | UW Madison | | |
John Maheswaran | Computer Science | Yale University | |
Justin Dauwels | Signal and Information Processing | ETH Zurich |
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You’ve completed your research study, written your thesis, and think you’re done! If only it were this easy. Before you finish with your thesis, there is one last hurdle to overcome: the thesis defense.
A thesis defense is an opportunity for you to present your research study before other academic professionals who will evaluate the quality of your academic work. While a thesis defense can sometimes feel like a cross-examination in a court of law, in reality, there is no need to fear your thesis defense as long as you are well-prepared. In this article, we’ll talk about how to prepare for a thesis defense, what to expect at the defense itself, and what comes after your defense.
At your thesis defense, you will discuss everything you’ve learned with a group of interested examiners who are eager to hear your thoughts.
The fundamental purpose of a thesis defense is to prove that you have mastered your subject and can be considered as a knowledgeable expert in your field, thereby allowing you to graduate successfully. For many students, a thesis is one of the first attempts at conducting original research and demonstrating that you are equipped to function as an independent expert in your field. If qualified academic professionals can assess your work, question your methods and results, and confirm that your study is sound and novel, then you meet the requirements.
The exact format and expectations for your thesis defense will differ depending on the region you study in and your institution’s rules for the thesis program. The thesis defense meeting may have just two or three examiners or may have a whole panel of examiners along with an audience.
If the thought of facing your professors, peers, and parents to present your research study makes you feel dizzy, you aren’t alone . Moreover, a thesis defense is a great opportunity for you to hone your public speaking skills as well as talk about your research study. At your thesis defense, you will discuss everything you’ve learned with a group of interested examiners who are eager to hear your thoughts.
While the format for a thesis defense will vary, as mentioned above, most thesis defenses consist of:
So how can you prepare for it? Let’s talk about some important tips.
It is useful to attend multiple defenses and ask others who have gone through the process what it was like.
The best way to prepare for a thesis defense is to attend other defenses at your institution so that you know what to expect. It is useful to attend multiple defenses and ask others who have gone through the process what it was like. Senior students are often happy to provide advice and can give you specific insights about particular examiners as well as details of the administrative process at your institution.
You should also talk to your thesis advisor well in advance of your defense about what to expect. Ask whether you need to shortlist your own committee, how long your presentation should be, and how long the thesis defense will be. The duration of a thesis defense varies by the degree level as well as the institution. On average, expect your defense to be at least an hour long, possibly longer for a Ph.D.
While preparing your presentation, also prepare a list of questions and answers that you think are likely to be asked by your committee.
You will need to prepare a presentation that will cover the details of your research study. It is wise to rehearse this presentation multiple times in advance of your thesis defense so that you will be comfortable when you actually present in front of your audience. While preparing your presentation, also prepare a list of questions and answers that you think are likely to be asked by your committee. If you can, enlist the help of a classmate or friend to be the examiner. They can ask you questions about your research study so you will be able to practice addressing these questions.
One mistake many students make is assuming that all members of their defense committee will thoroughly read their thesis prior to the defense. This is simply not always the case. For this reason, you should make sure your presentation makes sense to someone who has not actually read your thesis. A typical thesis defense presentation gives:
Before your thesis defense, make sure you have backups of everything you need saved in multiple formats and multiple locations.
Before your thesis defense, make sure you have backups of everything you need to be saved in multiple formats and multiple locations. Put your presentation and your thesis on a USB drive, email it to yourself, upload it to the cloud, and print it out. Leave nothing to chance: you want to be absolutely prepared to defend your thesis short of an act of God obliterating the venue. In addition, make sure you prepare hard copies (printouts) of both your thesis and slideshow for the committee members. It need not be professionally bound at this stage, but they will appreciate having reference material on hand.
Finally, there are some practical steps to take in preparation for the thesis defense. Choose your outfit in advance (you should dress professionally) and practice presenting in it. You should also make sure you know the exact location of the thesis defense venue. Scope out the venue before your defense, if possible, so you can imagine yourself there while you rehearse. If you are presenting virtually, test all your equipment in advance and have a backup plan in case your internet goes out or your computer suddenly crashes. Most importantly, make sure that you eat well and get proper rest the night before. Don’t stay up late rehearsing last minute in the hopes of improving your chances of passing your defense. You will do much better if you are well-rested and alert.
Try to stay calm and remember you are not on trial!
Typically, you will enter the room, set up, and begin your presentation once the committee indicates that they are ready. As mentioned above, it is always advisable to bring hard copies of both your thesis and slideshow for the committee. That way, they can easily refer to what you are talking about as you present. Make sure you also bring a pencil and notebook with you to take notes, and some water, because you will get thirsty as you talk.
After you are done with the presentation, the committee members will ask questions. Try to stay calm and remember you are not on trial! Your committee generally wants you to succeed, but they also want you to prove that you really know what you’re talking about. Do your best to answer their questions and never be afraid to admit when you don’t know something. It is much better, to be honest than to be caught lying or making something up during your thesis defense.
After the question and answer session, depending on your institution, you may be asked to leave the room while the committee deliberates. You may also be present while they discuss the merits of your defense and make suggestions for how to revise it. Alternatively, they might adjourn to another room if there is a large audience present. After they deliberate, they will usually thank you for your time, and your defense will be over. At some institutions, they will inform you if you passed right away, while at others, you will find out after a few days.
In general, you can expect your thesis defense and your thesis as a whole to be evaluated based on the below criteria:
In summary, the examining committee want to know:
After your thesis is approved, you will need to have it professionally bound and then submit copies to your university.
After your thesis defense, you should definitely celebrate and congratulate yourself for all your hard work! Unfortunately, you aren’t quite done yet. Although the committee may notify you about passing, it is also very likely that you will be asked to make some changes to your thesis before you are finally done. You should work with your advisor to finalize and incorporate any comments you received into your work as quickly as possible.
After your thesis is approved, you will need to have it professionally bound and then submit copies to your university. You will also get the chance to order copies for yourself. This process also differs by institution, so make sure you talk to the administration department to figure out what you need to do and when to complete this process.
All in all, while a thesis defense is a scary and overwhelming event, it is also an incredible achievement. Earning your degree is no small feat, and you should definitely feel proud of yourself once you have done it! Check out our site for more tips on how to write a good thesis, where to find the best thesis editing services , and more about thesis editing and proofreading services .
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To prepare for your thesis defense, make sure that you:
Find out your institutional requirements
Talk to your advisor well in advance about what to expect and prepare
Attend defenses of other students to see what they are like
Prepare your presentation early so you can rehearse it
Rehearse your presentation with a timer
Make a list of questions and answers about your research study
Enlist a friend to be the examiner and ask you questions
Prepare multiple backups of your materials (USB drive, Google Drive/Cloud storage, email, hard copy)
Have a plan for computer/internet problems if you are presenting virtually
Eat well and get a good night’s rest before the defense
Arrive at the defense venue early enough to test any IT equipment or internet connection
Every institution is different, but most thesis defenses are at least an hour long.
A typical thesis defense presentation introduces the thesis topic, explains how your study is significant in the field, and covers the main highlights of the methodology and results of the study. It finally picks out the main points from the discussion and conclusion section of your thesis.
The odds that you will fail are extremely low! Most advisors and committees do not let a candidate schedule a defense unless they feel the candidate is ready. So, don’t worry about it. However, if you do fail for some reason, your institution will have a process for you to apply to try again.
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Picture this: after countless hours of research, writing, and refining, you’re now standing on stage with your cohort, in a gown and funny hat, because … you’ve finally completed that last important milestone in your academic journey – defending your doctoral dissertation. It’s a culmination of years of dedication, determination, and sleepless nights. You’re not there yet—but you’re close. So how do you make it past this final, nerve-wracking hurdle?
In this article, we’ll deep-dive into the dissertation defense process, with tips, strategies, and straight-up information. I’ll share my expertise as a coach whose job it is to get people up on that stage.
A dissertation defense typically consists of an oral presentation to your dissertation committee, who have already received and read the final draft of your dissertation manuscript. Other members of your cohort and institution, and outside readers or experts, might also be present in the audience.
Without fail, I see two different reactions to this news from my coaching students: either they are terrified of having their work scrutinized by their committee in public, or they are extremely laid back, knowing that they’ve already done all the hard work in the manuscript. (These later students are the ones paying attention to me).
You probably already know the general gist of what happens in a defense presentation: you present the highlights of your study, the committee ask questions, and then they vote on whether you pass or need to complete further revision. So, here are some things you might not yet know:
• The oral defense gives the committee the opportunity to ask you about any areas of your study that are still unclear or weak on paper – so that you can prove they are not unclear or weak in real life. In other words, it’s a chance to get anything that got stuck in your head (rather than making it on to paper) out and in front of your committee.
• Your chair or supervisor and committee should not be allowing you to complete the defense process unless they are already confident that the biggest issues with your work have already been resolved.
• Questions are normal – your committee are working with you because your work interests them (hopefully), so questions are as likely to indicate their excitement about your work as a problem they have spotted.
• Revisions are normal – from requests to polish the grammar to insisting you add more supporting sources or develop your recommendations more thoroughly, “pass with revisions” is a normal, common, and expected end result. To pass with no revisions is pretty rare (although I have had a few students achieve this – looking at you, YY!) – like getting 100% on a calculus test in school.
In short, your defense presentation is nothing to be scared of. You are lined up for defense because both you and your committee feel you know your stuff, and now all you need to do is share what you’ve produced and learned and engage people in discussion about it. You got this!
Still nervous? Ok, that’s fair enough. As with many things, good preparation can help you get those nerves under control, so here are some top tips to help you get ready.
It’s essential to understand the requirements and expectations of your defense committee. Get familiar with the specific guidelines and procedures set by your institution, and make sure you meet all necessary criteria. If you’re giving them what they ask for, you are definitely off to a strong start.
This defense is about you showing off what you know, so before you stand up in front of the crown, take a deep dive into your own research masterpiece. Thoroughly review your dissertation, scrutinizing each chapter, section, and argument. Make notes. Look for anything that might provoke questions or debate. Remember, this is your opportunity to showcase your expertise and demonstrate the depth of your knowledge.
Your advisor and committee members are the best resources you could ask for about defense. They set the guidelines, and they judge whether you have done well. Reach out to them for guidance, feedback, and advice—their collective wisdom and support can be instrumental in honing your presentation. And, if they are not all that … well, remember there are others out there who can help, including coaches, mentors, and past students.
Just like any performance, practice makes perfect. Take the time to rehearse your presentation multiple times, refining your delivery and strengthening your command over the content. By doing so, you’ll build confidence and ensure a smoother delivery when the day arrives. Even more importantly, you’ll settle the key points of your study firmly in your brain, making sure you sound like the expert you are.
Obviously, you can’t predict every question or comment that will come up during your defense. However, you can still prepare yourself for potential challenges. Get cozy with the research landscape in your field and the interests of your committee members. Step outside of your own perspective and view your work through a stranger’s eyes to anticipate areas of critique or alternative viewpoints. This will enable you to respond thoughtfully and demonstrate your ability to engage in scholarly discourse.
You know what’s coming and you know how to prepare – are you still nervous? If so, know that that is completely normal. Here’s how me and two of my students got their dissertation defense nerves under control.
For my own dissertation defense (known as a viva voce in the UK), I was incredibly lucky to have a supervisor with whom I had a strong, supportive, and nurturing relationship. Although the main examination of my work was handled by the external reader, who sat across from me behind a big desk, my supervisor sat behind him and nodded and smiled encouragingly every time I said something. Words can’t describe how much that calmed me down and gave me confidence. If you are as lucky as me and have an awesome supervisor, tell your nerves they can stand down – your supervisor’s got your back!
One of my students, who graduated last year, suffered from terrible defense nerves because she was worried about holding so much complex information in her head and delivering it coherently. Her solution? She practiced endlessly, over the course of about a month.
With me as her coach playing the role of audience, or with her kids and other family members, her cohort peers, her dog, and even other academics, she presented that study until she could do so in her sleep. The point was that, by the time the actual defense day rolled around, presenting the study to people was comfortable, familiar territory. Done and dusted!
Another student, who graduated shortly after, took completely the opposite approach to managing dissertation defense nerves. This student was burnt out from a huge rush to meet an unexpectedly tight deadline for the final manuscript when her chair decided to retire at the last minute. Rather than burn herself out further, she hit send on the manuscript, paid a designer to polish the design of the presentation rough draft, and then shut down her devices and went on holiday with her family. For one week, she did not look at or talk about her research at all. Instead, she sat on the beach, ate ice cream, and scrolled Instagram (probably). Then, she returned to work (a week before the presentation), refreshed and feeling excited about her work again. The break enabled her to practice and prepare in a calm frame of mind.
I won’t walk you through the other obvious stuff, like what makes a good presentation PowerPoint or how body language and appearance can improve your presentation skills—that stuff is what Google is for. You’re an expert by now at finding the information you need, so get out there and find it. However, know that if you need help getting ready for your defense, there are definitely humans around you (and some dogs) who want to help – whether that’s your chair, your family, or a coach like me. I recommend you find them now and let them tell you just how ready for this you are.
Are you thinking about using mixed methods (both quantitative and qualitative data) in your PhD? This article guides you through different ways of doing mixed methods PhD research, from proposal writing to collecting and analysing data. It emphasises the importance of rigor in mixed methods research and how to achieve this.
For the wheels to continue turning in research, we need reviewers. Although often a thankless endeavour (littered with Reviewer 2 jokes), acting as a gatekeeper for the integrity of your research field remains vital. As a PhD student, you may find the process of reviewing a manuscript pretty novel, but a reviewer request email may enter your inbox in the near future. This article guides you through the pros and cons of reviewing articles.
Landing a lecturing role after a PhD can be difficult, and rejection is commonplace. To lower the chances of rejection, it is important to focus on your career planning and gain experience as early into your PhD as possible. Therefore, if you are serious about becoming a lecturer, here are four things you can start doing now.
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So, you’ve spent countless late nights hunched over your computer, wanting to contribute something meaningful to your field. You’ve poured your heart and soul into your research, meticulously crafting each dissertation chapter. Now, there’s just one final hurdle: the dissertation defense!
This guide is here to help you prepare for a successful dissertation defense. We will also demystify the dissertation defense meaning.
Let our professional editors refine your dissertation! Learn more
Let’s start by answering the primary question: What does it mean to defend your dissertation?
A dissertation defense is a formal presentation and discussion of your research work with your dissertation committee. It’s your opportunity to showcase your in-depth knowledge and defend your findings.
The format of a dissertation defense can vary depending on your institution and field of study. However, most defenses follow a similar structure:
A dissertation defense is typically one to three hours long. It can vary sometimes. The presentation usually takes up the first hour, followed by an hour or two of questions and discussion.
Condensing a 100-page thesis into a 20-minute dissertation defense presentation certainly feels like a difficult task. But with just some focus and considerations, you can easily decide what you must focus on.
On the title slide, add the details that you’ve added to the title page . This includes your name, credentials, and the title of the dissertation . You could also add the date of the presentation.
Summarize the abstract and literature review as briefly as you can, because the majority of your defense should be about your research. Ideally, this part of the presentation should be a peek into the research process.
Delve a little into the topic’s history and background, so that you can eventually connect to it your research, and establish your work’s relevance in the field.
Talk briefly about the conceptual framework of your dissertation, and the theoretical influences behind it.
All of this should ultimately lead to your research question. State it clearly, and explain the terms and jargon used in it, the same way you have in the dissertation itself. If there are sub-questions, elaborate on those too.
Delve deeply into how you carried out the research. What were the research methods used, and what was your rationale behind using it/them? Explain why your chosen methods are relevant to your project and its aims.
Talk about what came out of your research. What did you learn from it? What can be derived from the findings?
Talk about the implications of your work for future research in your field, and why people should pay attention to them. If you have a list of policy recommendations or an action plan for your own research, talk about that as well.
Here are some practical tips to help you prepare for your dissertation defense:
This might seem obvious, but it’s crucial. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your methodology, data analysis, and conclusions.
Put yourself in your committee’s shoes and brainstorm potential dissertation defense questions they might ask. Practice your answers until you feel confident and comfortable discussing your research.
A well-rehearsed presentation is key to a successful defense. Practice in front of a mirror, with friends or colleagues, or even record yourself to identify areas for improvement.
Nerves are normal, but don’t let them get the best of you. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to stay calm and focused.
What you wear to your dissertation defense matters. Choose professional attire that makes you feel confident and reflects the importance of the occasion.
Defend your dissertation with confidence
Remember, your dissertation defense is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. It’s your moment to shine and share your valuable research with the world. By preparing thoroughly, practicing diligently, and approaching the defense with confidence and enthusiasm, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your academic goals.
And if you’re looking for an extra layer of polish and assurance, consider the expert editing and proofreading services of PaperTrue. Our team of experienced editors can help you refine your dissertation to perfection, ensuring that your writing is clear, concise, and error-free.
Keep reading for more information:
How should i prepare for my dissertation defense, what types of questions are asked during a dissertation defense, what happens if i fail my dissertation defense.
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Really informative blog article. Thanks Again. Really Great.
Thanks for the brief but interesting and educative guide.
This is an amazing wealth of information. Thanks for sharing.
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A thesis defense gives you the chance to show off your thesis work and demonstrate your expertise in your field of study. During this one- to two-hour discussion with the members of your thesis committee, you'll have some control over how you present your research, but your committee will ask you some prodding questions to test your knowledge and preparedness. They will all have read your thesis beforehand, so their questions will relate to your study, topic, methods, data sample, and other aspects.
A good defense requires mastery of the thesis itself, so before you consider the questions you might face,
Give a quick summary in just a few sentences on what you've researched. You could certainly go on for hours about your work, but make sure you prepare a way to give a very brief overview of your thesis. Then, give a quick background on your process for choosing this topic.
Many researchers identify a need in the field and choose a topic to bridge the gaps that previous literature has failed to cover. For example, previous studies might not have included a certain population, region, or circumstance. Talk about how your thesis enhances the general understanding of the topic to extend the reach beyond what others have found, and then give examples of why the world needs that increased understanding. For instance, a thesis on romaine lettuce crops in desert climates might bring much-needed knowledge to a region that might not have been represented in previous work.
When reporting your main results, make sure you have a handle on how detailed your committee wants you to be. Give yourself several options by preparing 1) a very general, quick summary of your findings that takes a minute or less, 2) a more detailed rundown of what your study revealed that is 3-5 minutes long, and 3) a 10- to 15-minute synopsis that delves into your results in detail. With each of these responses prepared, you can gauge which one is most appropriate in the moment, based on what your committee asks you and what has already been requested.
Here you'll describe what you did while you were deciding what to study. This usually includes a literary review to determine what previous researchers have already introduced to the field. You also likely had to look into whether your study was going to be possible and what you would need in order to collect the needed data. Did you need info from databases that require permissions or fees?
Describe the expected results you had for your study and whether your hypothesis came from previous research experience, long-held expectations, or cultural myths.
It's inevitable — researchers will face roadblocks or limiting factors during their work. This could be a limited population you had access to, like if you had a great method of surveying university students, but you didn't have a way to reach out to other people who weren't attending that school.
Different research methods are more fitting to specific studies than others (e.g., qualitative vs. quantitative ), and knowing this, you applied a method that would present your findings most effectively. What factors led you to choose your method?
Many factors go into the selection of a participant group. Perhaps you were motivated to survey women over 50 who experience burnout in the workplace. Did you take extra measures to target this population? Or perhaps you found a sample group that responded more readily to your request for participation, and after hitting dead ends for months, convenience is what shaped your study population. Make sure to present your reasoning in an honest but favorable way.
Outline the process of pursuing respondents for your study and the difficulties you faced in collecting enough quality data for your thesis. Perhaps the decisions you made took shape based on the participants you ended up interviewing.
Expectations are natural when you set out to explore a topic, especially one you've been dancing around throughout your academic career. This question can refer to your hypotheses , but it can also touch on your personal feelings and expectations about this topic. What did you believe you would find when you dove deeper into the subject? Was that what you actually found, or were you surprised by your results?
Your response to this question can include not only the basic findings of your work (if you haven't covered this already) but also some personal surprises you might have found that veered away from your expectations. Sometimes these details are not included in the thesis, so these details can add some spice to your defense.
With connection to the reasons you chose the topic, your results can address the problems your work is solving. Give specifics on how policymakers, professionals in the field, etc., can improve their service with the knowledge your thesis provides.
Your response to this one can include the limitations you encountered or dead ends you hit that wasted time and funding. Try not to dwell too long on the annoyances of your study, and consider an area of curiosity; for example, discuss an area that piqued your interest during your exploration that would have been exciting to pursue but didn't directly benefit your outlined study.
Your paper likely ties your ideas into those of other researchers, so this could be an easy one to answer. Point out how similar your work is to some and how it contrasts other works of research; both contribute greatly to the overall body of research.
This one is pretty easy, since most theses include recommendations for future research within the text. That means you already have this one covered, and since you read over your thesis before your defense, it's already fresh in your mind.
This is a question directed more to you and your future professional plans. This might align with the research you performed, and if so, you can direct your question back to your research, maybe mentioning the personal motivations you have for pursuing study of that subject.
Although your thesis defense feels like an interrogation, and you're the one in the spotlight, it provides an ideal opportunity to gather input from your committee, if you want it. Possible questions you could ask are: What were your impressions when reading my thesis? Do you believe I missed any important steps or details when conducting my work? Where do you see this work going in the future?
Bonus tip: What if you get asked a question to which you don't know the answer? You can spend weeks preparing to defend your thesis, but you might still be caught off guard when you don't know exactly what's coming. You can be ready for this situation by preparing a general strategy. It's okay to admit that your thesis doesn't offer the answers to everything – your committee won't reasonably expect it to do so. What you can do to sound (and feel!) confident and knowledgeable is to refer to a work of literature you have encountered in your research and draw on that work to give an answer. For example, you could respond, "My thesis doesn't directly address your question, but my study of Dr. Leifsen's work provided some interesting insights on that subject…." By preparing a way to address curveball questions, you can maintain your cool and create the impression that you truly are an expert in your field.
After you're done answering the questions your committee presents to you, they will either approve your thesis or suggest changes you should make to your paper. Regardless of the outcome, your confidence in addressing the questions presented to you will communicate to your thesis committee members that you know your stuff. Preparation can ease a lot of anxiety surrounding this event, so use these possible questions to make sure you can present your thesis feeling relaxed, prepared, and confident.
Header image by Kasto .
You’ve spent years on your studies to acquire your advanced degree, and whether a master’s thesis or doctorate, you need to know how to prepare for a thesis defense. Treat this as more of a siege than a defense, and be prepared to outlast any foe, any siege engine, any army at your gates.
You have already built up a great thesis, with instruction from professors, and maybe even the help of a great thesis writing service , and you are finally ready for your defense. What does that phase of your academic career look like?
In this article, we will give you the tools and tips to make it through. We will start with a preparation section, focusing on various aspects of how to study and what to study, then talk about the lead-up to the big day: preparing materials and handling anxiety. We’ll also touch on what to do on the day and how a thesis defense will, or could, go. At the end of it all, you will have a clear idea of how to approach the preparation for, and the defense of, your thesis.
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Know your thesis.
We put this first knowing that it is the most important element of your entire presentation. The crux of your defense hinges on this. You must know your thesis, backwards and forwards. There must be nothing about it that you have forgotten. However miniscule the detail, and however insubstantial to your thesis that detail ultimately is, you must nevertheless know it.
When it comes time to question you, after presentation of your work, questions you cannot answer will strike you down. Knowledge is your shield.
While you will already be intimately familiar with your research, readings, and revisions of your opus, you should still allot yourself time prior to your defense in which to know crucial elements of your thesis front to back. This is your primary concern.
What are you trying to prove? This is your number one concern, and being able to state this clearly, and back up your efforts with sources and arguments, is the main point of your thesis defense.
So, start with the big picture. Know your main points and the crux of your arguments. You have one, main thrust with this thesis, and you have one, primary tentpole holding it up. No doubt you have more evidence than one primary source, but inevitably one will have more weight and potency than the others. Start there and work your way out.
Don’t memorize words to say, but memorize the web of arguments you have woven together to support your work. Your research was about X, and you have Y as a result, and now you share that and defend your assertions.
You can’t memorize the whole thesis – it will be large – but you can memorize a few, important points that support your main argument, and give credibility to your assertions. Again, you aren’t memorizing a speech to give, but you should know some of your more crucial statistics and datapoints so you can reference them easily.
It’s not just enough to know what your own thesis says, but you must be knowledgeable about its foundations. Your thesis is built on sources and materials that you have cited and referenced throughout. These deserve your attention as well.
If you are being questioned and, without a beat, you can cite chapter and verse on the proofs for your claims, this gives your own arguments depth and clarity. A successful thesis will add to the knowledge base of your field, but it must be built on the knowledge that came before. Knowing your secondary sources demonstrates your knowledge, shows how your thesis connects to that knowledge, and solidifies your arguments through the foundational assertions of prior experts.
“Know your enemy,” wrote the philosopher and military commander Sun Tzu, “as you know yourself, and you will have victory in many battles.”
Your thesis makes a claim, adds to the body of knowledge in your field, and does so with evidence, research – not to mention panache – and is given its gravitas by the myriad of sources and proofs that you have to offer. Great, but don’t forget about those who disagree.
In most fields – certainly all the ones worth studying – anybody who makes a claim will have that claim challenged.
This is, perhaps, the most important step to preparing your defense: know why your detractors will say your thesis is wrong. If you can “steel man” – the opposite of “straw man” – their arguments, and phrase counter-arguments to your own statements – as well as anybody who holds those ideas would – then you have already, essentially, anticipated many, if not all, of the questions the examining board will put to you.
With that knowledge, you will also know to prepare defenses, explanations, and counter-arguments to each of these perceived complaints. Make sure that your counter-arguments would satisfy the majority of reasonable, educated persons in your field – if not any potential naysayers themselves.
Of course, having the main points, secondary points, data, references, detractions, and answers to those detractions all at your mind’s immediate beck and call would be wonderful; but, if you can manage to memorize all of that reliably within your head, don’t count on nothing but pure, rote learning to bring up all of this information. We recommend you keep quick reference notes to help you.
When you’re asked a question, having quick access to well-kept notes will serve you well. Notes themselves are nice, but you also need to be able to access them quickly. Any paradigm that works for you will do, but here is a sample schema for you to consider:
From a dollar store or office supply store \u2013 with reference numbers to bookmark key passages. These reference numbers will correspond to your table of contents. "}]">
Again, use any rubric you want, but pick a system and make sure it works for you. How do you know it works? By testing it.
That term - “baptism of fire” – refers to being trained via a quick shove onto a battlefield. You might also think of mother and father bird shoving their younglings out of the nest, peeping encouragement at them to fly.
Don’t let this happen to you. Check your wings first.
Mock interviews are extremely useful for interview preparation. Arrange a mock thesis defense. Get professionals who know what they are doing to grill you on your thesis. A professional mock panel will simulate the time, let you run through your presentation, and put you through your paces by asking insightful, challenging questions; they might even ask questions you didn’t anticipate – in which case, lucky for you it was caught beforehand.
Or, not so lucky. Lucky is what happens to a soldier in a baptism of fire, but you’re not doing that. You’re preparing, training, and refining your methods to be bulletproof before anybody fires upon you at all.
A mock defense will simulate the real thing as close as possible, likely even giving you a taste of the nerves and letting you learn how to cope with anxiety. Plus, you can test your filing system for quick recall.
The most crucial elements to get ready are anything that you will directly need. That is to say that you should have access to your presentation itself, as well as your notes, and anything else that you’ll require for the defense. Everything else is secondary, and while it’s not a great idea to show up without combing your hair, at least you can still mount a defense with bedhead; you can’t defend your thesis without your critical notes.
With that said, definitely comb your hair. Presenting your thesis is about presenting yourself, as well, so put on some professional-casual clothes so you are comfortable and presentable.
Bring along anything else you need to be comfortable in the room, such as a water bottle or pencils and a notepad – anything you might want to help you succeed.
The exception: don’t overload so much that you are carrying multiple bags around with you.
Want to learn how to prepare for thesis defense questions? Check this infographic:
The very nature of the activity of thesis defense means that you will be spending your presentation and your day on the defensive. This is, inherently, a stressful position to take, but a strong aggravating factor is the stakes of the event. This is a momentous occasion. You are at the proverbial moment of truth where you will either advance to the next, major phase of your career, or you will be forced to reconcile yourself to returning and revising – another revision and exploration and another defense.
Naturally, it follows that stress management is going to be one of the most important aspects of your day.
Give yourself an on-the-day boost by planning your studying and preparation well in advance. This will enable you to take a break before the actual day. If the day before your thesis defense can be one spent in contemplation, meditation, or relaxation, you’ll have a much better mental state for the defense itself.
Also of utmost importance: sleep. Maintaining a decent sleep schedule can be nigh-impossible, let alone sporadically getting in the actual recommended hours of sleep that your doctor really wants you to get. Nevertheless, make an extra effort to get a lot of rest, ideally within a sleep schedule, so that you are bright-eyed come defense time.
The rise of app culture is seen by some as the fall of civilization – particularly those spiritual or personal aspects of life. Tech is really just a tool, however, and finding a good meditation app can give you the right tech-based buddy system to keep you in good mental health. Meditation can be a great stress-management technique, and trying out some basic techniques will help you to stay alert, focused, and calm on your big day.
How are you eating? Do you get out to exercise?
These are things that can easily fall by the wayside while pursuing higher academics. There is a reason that there is a cliched stereotype of undernourished, sleepless academics: it’s hard to absorb, retain, and study knowledge at this demanding level while maintaining a good balance with the more physical aspects of your life. Nonetheless, good physical health is strongly linked with good mental health, and you should pursue both.
Preventing panic is often a case of focus being unable to override insecurity. You’ve already taken care of your knowledge base: know your thesis. With that, you can keep insecurity at bay. Now for focus. What is the first thing you have to do when you get in the room? You’ll have some opening remarks, but even before that, you’ll likely want to quickly introduce yourself and welcome and thank your thesis screening panel. Forget everything else. Stop worrying about it, because you just have to do that first thing.
After that, keeping yourself from getting distracted by insecurity is a question of focusing on whatever you must do next. You’ve made it through your introduction: great. What’s next? Since you’ve composed a careful set of notes, and carefully arranged those notes on your desk, table, or podium – or computing device – you can glance down and look to “point two” to carry you forward. Focus on doing your best job on that point. Once it’s over, focus on point three. Keep on in this way, and you have exorcised the twin demons of distraction and insecurity.
What if you misspeak? Just go back over it and fix the error quickly. “I’m sorry, I meant to say that 33% of the population favors blue above other colors, not 30 %. ”
Once you’ve fixed the error, move on. Dwelling on it does nothing at best, and exacerbates your problems at worst.
What if your PowerPoint presentation gums up? What if your computer freezes? What if the projector won’t project?
Remember that everybody in the room deals with glitches and tech errors, just like you, and do your best.
Don’t hide it – it's not hidden – but just briefly acknowledge the problem, “It seems the computer has frozen. Pardon me,” and see if you can fix it. If you can’t, rely on your notes to keep going. If you have infographics or charts and data that you wanted to highlight, offer to show those elements to the thesis screening panel, or to describe the data they need.
You’re being judged based on your logic, reasoning, rationales, recommendations, findings, data, and the effectiveness of your thesis. Nobody’s going to dock points from your presentation if there was a power failure.
Plus, if you’ve followed our advice thus far, you have redundant note systems with you, and you’ll be fine.
Keep your breath under control. This ties in with meditation, to some extent, but controlled breath will keep your heart-rate down and your anxiety levels far more controlled than they would otherwise be. That is not to say that you won’t feel any anxiety, per se, just that – statistically speaking – you are far more likely to have far less anxiety.
Many people like to imagine a humorous image, particularly of their audience, to calm themselves down. This might work for you, but what this technique is getting at is a way to take your mind off of your anxieties and force it to focus on something else.
To do this, you needn’t go to the cliché of imagining anybody in underwear. Rather, just have a calming image or idea in your head that you can focus on. Pick something that makes you calm, or brings out a smile, and something that you can concentrate on to stop any panic moments and take away the snowball effect that happens whenever you dwell on something negative or that makes you anxious.
Remember to be courteous, gracious, and polite. It really helps if you remember the names of the people on your thesis panel, so write those down if you have to.
A thesis defense consists of a short presentation – about twenty or thirty minutes – on your thesis, followed by a discussion. That discussion is the actual defense of your thesis, as the thesis panel will be asking you questions and challenging you on your research, your conclusions, and your ideas.
The questioning period might take another twenty minutes or an hour, or even longer. There is no guaranteed time duration, so be prepared for a lengthy discussion and debate after your presentation.
Standard format would probably include the use of a PowerPoint-type accompaniment to your summation of your thesis. It is recommended that you provide more than just a lecture. If you want your panel to have anything like infographics, charts, or statistics, you need to provide it, either as part of a visual slideshow presentation, handout sheets, or both.
Knowing what kind of thesis defense questions can come your way will be very advantageous for you because it will help you understand the kinds of answers you need to give.
These feel your argument out a bit, just to test and see if you know your stuff, or if you’ve just memorized a very specific subset of data. These will seem almost unbearably easy if you have studied extensively while researching your thesis. If you haven’t, they will be painfully difficult. If you cannot answer these basic questions, you will seem as though you have crafted a thesis with blinders on, and it is unlikely you will survive further, deeper rounds of questioning.
Maybe a chart didn’t go deep enough. Maybe somebody is curious if that statistic you gave was per capita or not. These clarification questions will just seek to clear up any misconceptions or blind spots in your presentation. This is why it’s important to know both your material and the secondary sources and citations you have made. If you understand all of this information thoroughly, you’ll be able to go deeper than any one chart and explain everything. This is also why it’s necessary to keep quick reference cards and tables of contents. If you blank on that per capita question, your index card won’t.
These questions will seek to challenge your ideas and stress your thesis by digging deep. They will present opposing views and find out whether or not you have considered alternate points of view. These are the most crucial questions to have excellent answers to, because these are the questions that directly challenge your work and are what you are “defending” your thesis from. We have already warned you to know your “enemy” as you know yourself. We stress this again here: have top-grade answers to cutting questions, or fail in your attempt.
Arm yourself with knowledge of your own thesis and an anticipation of what your detractors might, or do, say, and then practice, practice, practice.
At the end of a long period of vigorous study, get some rest, keep calm, and fire up a meditation app – or go for a walk.
In short: follow our advice, your common sense, and trust to your knowledge base and the research and readings you’ve done over the past years, and you’ll have a solid thesis defense.
Ideally you will dedicate several weeks to thesis preparation. Start about three to five weeks ahead of the defense and put aside some time every day to work on some aspect of your defense.
There isn’t really such a thing as too much prep. You could take too many notes and wind up with a very large, unwieldy reference binder, but even that is mitigated by your “table of contents.”
Err on the side of “too much” rather than “not enough.”
They’re probably just testing your knowledge of the material versus whether or not you just memorized a speech. Treat this as a probing question and answer in reference to your work. If this is an accident, don’t draw attention to it, and don’t get exasperated.
Say it’s outside of your field or area of study, but explain why you didn’t go there. So, if they ask about something peripheral, acknowledge that this isn’t part of what you’ve learned, why you are aware of it, and why you didn’t pursue further research into that area. Above all else, don’t fake knowledge you don’t have.
Numbers may vary, but three to five is fairly typical.
If you need a short break, to use the restroom, for instance, you can ask for one.
Have talking points and a firm knowledge of your facts and ideas, but don’t memorize set speeches. You can come off sounding robotic and impersonal. Worse, if you are asked a question and you find yourself getting lost, you might not remember details of your speech without the “ramp up” into any given part. Better to know the data, rather than the exact words.
In the event that you are not awarded your master or doctorate, you will most likely be given the chance to revise your thesis and try again. The committee will give you feedback, and you will revise accordingly.
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Home Blog Presentation Ideas How To Do a Proper Thesis Defense Using the Right PowerPoint Presentation
Writing a thesis is stressful, but preparing an oral defense can be even more painful. But it doesn’t have to be; with proper preparation and a good presentation, you will be able to better equip yourself comes time to present your thesis defense.
But what makes a good thesis defense?
A proper presentation helps you with your thesis defense because it helps you capture the panels’ attention and gives you cues and reminders on what to say as well.
It also helps keep your data organized while visually looking good and provides a flow structure for the rest of your presentation.
In today’s article, we will be giving you The Right PowerPoint Templates for Your Thesis Defense and a powerful outline composed of best practices and layouts specifically designed to help you defend your thesis in both written and oral presentations.
In the next segments of this article, we’ll walk you through the most feasible process on how to ace this kind of presentation.
Let’s dive into the outline of what makes a great thesis defense.
Similarities.
Three most common thesis defense myths, how to use chatgpt to structure your thesis.
A thesis defense is composed of two parts – a thesis and a defense.
The thesis, according to Grad School Hub , represents a student’s collective understanding of his or her program and major.
Universities often include a thesis in every course as one of the final requirements to earn a particular graduate or postgraduate degree.
The thesis, however, isn’t just a mere requirement.
It helps the students to grow out of their shell from their respective discipline and give them the opportunity to present all the findings of their study.
Moreover, some people think a thesis is just a long essay, but it’s not. Unlike an essay, a thesis needs to assert something.
This can be considered one of the most crucial research documents that a student makes during their academic schooling .
On the other hand, defense is the presentation of the pieces of evidence to support and prove your research.
It’s the most essential part of the thesis process.
Your presentation has to be prepared to answer questions from members of the committee and any other panel present, and it’s your job to convince them and defend your thesis with ample proof.
Prior to presenting, you have to carefully determine what appropriate evidence should be presented before the panel, depending on what thesis you have to defend.
A thesis or dissertation is usually required to complete a particular graduate degree. These two words are often used interchangeably by most students when referring to research studies.
But while being almost similar in format or structure, it’s worth noting that they have significant differences that set them apart from each other.
The very reason why thesis and dissertation are treated the same is that these two are both extensive papers. Not just merely long essays like what others are claiming.
Both of these papers are extensive. This is why students are given ample time, usually the entire last semester of the last year of study, to complete all the requirements and finally acquire their degree.
With regards to structure, both papers are very similar with few differences.
One of the significant differences between the two is to whom the paper is assigned. A thesis is usually required for those students earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree. While a dissertation is for those, who want to obtain a doctorate degree.
However, not all students taking a master’s degree are required to make a thesis. Prior to their enrollment, they have been given a choice of whether they’ll go for a non-thesis program or with a thesis.
Those who have a plan to escalate their degree to a doctorate eventually should take the path of a thesis. This is to prepare themselves for a more extensive dissertation requirement as doctorate students. Otherwise, they will be only limited to earning a master’s degree.
But above all, the most significant difference between the two papers is the purpose for which it is written.
A thesis, like what has been mentioned above, is being done by students obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s degree and has the purpose of testing their understanding of the discipline they’re engaged with.
A thesis is focused on obtaining technical expertise.
On the other hand, a dissertation is made for students to come up with an original study that other researchers haven’t already studied.
USA: In the United States of America, they consider a thesis shorter than a dissertation. In fact, aside from being a requirement to graduate in college, a thesis is now also inculcated in master’s degree programs. And since the dissertation is more extensive, the thesis is treated as preliminary in gaining a doctorate degree.
Europe: The distinction between the two papers is almost opposite to that of the USA. In Europe, a dissertation is only a broader research study from a post-graduate program and not the making of original research. Instead, educational systems in the said continent treat the doctoral thesis as a more elaborate paper writing.
The difference between a thesis and a dissertation might not seem that big, but it’s important that we know what makes them different.
If your upcoming defense gives you pressure and uneasiness, it could be cause you are not sure what to expect. Today we will dispel three common thesis defense myths that will help you be more confident in your presentation.
“Answer all the questions correctly. Otherwise, your thesis won’t get approved.”
You are expected to have a focus on your research.
That being said, you have to study each part of your thesis, every detail, and even your sources.
You have to study and practice how to effectively deliver your presentation.
But don’t overthink to the extent that you’re stressing yourself to know everything perfectly.
Don’t overstress if you can’t answer one of the questions, this doesn’t necessarily mean the committee won’t approve your thesis.
You should know that research is a continuous study.
So you should expect that your committee will always be able to find a gap in your study to fill in future related research .
So in times you don’t exactly know the answer, admit it, and you’ll learn as they give their sides or suggestions.
Making up an answer will only displease your committee, so it’s to be upfront, honest, and transparent.
“The committee is just there to find holes in your study. They don’t care about you.”
One of the typical descriptions students have of the committee is that they are just there to poke holes in your thesis.
Going in with this perspective makes standing before them a nerve-wracking experience.
They’re not your enemy.
In fact, they are there to help you polish your study.
They might challenge you with difficult suggestions and tricky questions.
In the end, they will walk you through the process to come up with better results that won’t only benefit you but also your research.
They care about you and your study, and they’re ultimately there to make your thesis and the research better. Separate yourself from your work look at it objectively, and don’t take their comments personally .
“If your thesis defense isn’t successful, you have to start your thesis all over again”
An unsuccessful defense is one of the worst-case fears most students have.
One thing that you should be aware of is when you aren’t able to please your committee, you don’t need to start a new thesis again or go back to square one with your existing paper.
It’s unusual that your committee will ask you to change your topic and start from scratch again.
The fact that you’ve been permitted to defend your study means your research is almost complete.
They might suggest further details or ask you for minor revisions, and that’s normal.
But overall, you need to go into this defense thinking that your presentation will be successful. Otherwise, you are already setting yourself up for failure with the wrong mindset.
Remember that positive thoughts attract positive results.
We can use language learning models like ChatGPT to help us curate the structure of our thesis presentation. Let’s see a step-by-step solution on how to apply this.
Step 1: Define the thesis topic and research questions
You can set the environment for ChatGPT to work by explaining what your thesis is going to cover and which specific questions you aim to address through the course of that document. This gives ChatGPT the context from which it shall formulate the structure. A prompt can be written like this:
“Take the role of an academic professional who shall help me to write my thesis. This thesis is going to cover the topic of (insert topic), and through its course, I want to answer these questions: Question 1 – Question 2 – Question 3 – Consider this information as the starting point for this chat.”
Step 2: Ask for an outline
With the previously provided information, ask ChatGPT to generate an outline for your presentation. If some of the points listed in the output don’t convince you, then chat with the interface until you reach a final outline. Then, ask to elaborate on each specific point for information or cues you may have overlooked.
Step 3: Ask ChatGPT which content should you place per slide
Instead of debating how are you going to trim your thesis into a presentation format, ask ChatGPT to do the decision process for you. You can be as specific as asking how many words per slide, how many slides should the presentation have, if you need any visual element, etc.
N.B.: We don’t recommend using ChatGPT to retrieve academic references as, in some cases, it can provide faulty results. You can ask if any facts on this presentation need to be checked or similar questions. ChatGPT is a powerful tool, but it shouldn’t be considered a bible, so be extra cautious about grabbing content directly from its outputs.
This slide should contain the information that is provided on the title page of your hard copy . Here is an example of title page or cover slide for your title defense or thesis presentation.
Your introduction slide should provide the committee with an idea of the following:
It’s not necessary to cover everything that’s currently understood in the available literature. You may want to present the following content under a Literature Review slide:
Make sure to touch the factors below within your process, and include the following in the Methodology slide:
This part should give the committee/audience a good understanding of what you’ve discovered during your research. The statistics & results slide could include the final results of your analysis, here is an example:
Highlight here the meaning of the findings in relation to your discipline program and the research that you have done:
You have to end your presentation with a conclusion summarizing all that you have found within your research. Here is an example of a Conclusion slide in a Thesis presentation:
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Express gratitude to your advisor, committee members, peers, and others who supported your research journey. This slide provides a moment to acknowledge the collaborative nature of academic work.
Dedicate a slide for audience questions at the end of your presentation.
Encourage engagement by inviting questions from the audience.
Be prepared to provide clear and concise responses to inquiries.
Include a slide listing your cited sources throughout your presentation.
Use a consistent citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).
The References slide demonstrates your thorough engagement with existing literature.
If you’re open to further inquiries or collaborations, consider adding your contact information.
Include your email address or relevant professional social media handles.
If you want to save hours of manual time, you can leverage AI tools to make your thesis presentation. The best part of integrating AI tools into our workflow is that we can pair them to get even better results than we expected. With SlideModel’s AI presentation maker , users can create an entire slide deck by introducing these variables:
And that’s it! Download the AI-generated presentation in PPTX format or for Google Slides, and edit it if you require adding some extra content. The core elements are already done, and you can save countless hours of hard work.
Review your materials.
Even if you already feel confident with your upcoming presentation, you still need to review your materials.
You can bring the hard copy of your thesis with you during the defense, but you don’t want to get lost in your presentation when you forget some specific details and have to scan your papers.
You should know your paper in and out.
It’s not wrong if it sounds like a script when you speak in your oral defense. It’s expected and understandable.
You need to practice your presentation, especially when there’s a time restriction given to every presenter.
You only need to prepare enough slides that would fit your time limit. A hundred slides aren’t suitable for a 15 to 20-minute presentation, nor 10 slides for an hour of defense.
Your rehearsal will be more effective if you practice it in front of an audience.
Note: You will experience complete silence in the defense room. You might feel awkward because, most of the time, you’re the only one speaking out loud. This is completely fine, and it’s something you should practice in rehearsal should you be afraid.
Regarding your slides, you don’t have to include everything that’s in your paper. You should narrow down your ideas to the main points and the most important details, such as the statistics and findings.
If the members of your committee think you lack details or they want to hear a further explanation, they won’t hesitate to ask you.
The panel tends to challenge the presenters, usually through some hard questions.
Its aim is how well do you you have done your research and how prepared you are.
But as long as you know the ins and outs of your paper, you shouldn’t lose your confidence regardless of which questions they ask.
Just keep in mind that what you’re saying in your oral defense is not in conflict with what is written on the hard copy you provided them.
If the committee asks you a question and you don’t know the answer, don’t make up a baseless answer.
Baseless means out-of-context answers or something without proof or backup.
The committee expects you to be nervous. Of course, it’s normal.
However, one effect of being nervous is the changes in your behavior.
There’s a tendency for you’ll talk fast, which will make it hard for the committee to understand you.
It might also cause you to have a mental block.
So try to slow down. Take a deep breath.
Inhale, exhale. Remember to breathe!
It’s OK to pause, and it’s OK to take your time; it’s more important that the committee clearly understands what you are trying to articulate.
We hope you enjoyed this article on how to do a proper thesis defense and how to best prepare for one using proven tips and techniques to help you get through this. Hopefully, after your defense, you will be set as the one in your class to deliver an inspiring graduation speech for your peers. If you have value, please remember to share this article. We also recommend you read these Thesis Statement Examples for inspiration to create your own professionally.
Creating a Thesis presentation should be a straight forward task; based on your thesis document and following the tips described above you have a high level structure already outlined. The MasterDoc PowerPoint template provides professional layouts with texts and image placeholders; so you can create document like slides using your thesis defense as your content. This template is ideal for a highly detailed documents, where visuals and words unite to illustrate one concept per page. The result is an asset that can be read and digested more quickly than either your thesis document or a presentation created for assisting a speech. A document created with the MasterDoc PowerPoint templates is meant to be printed or distributed, read on screen without the accompaniment of a presenter or used in an e-learning platform as pure learning content.
Use This Template
You had invested a considerable time researching, testing hypothesis and confirming your thesis. Craft your thesis presentation with the same level of detail you applied in your work. Using the Thesis Presentation PowerPoint Template you will focus only in your content and your message. The layouts, images,design and structure will be taken care by the template.
The Master Thesis PowerPoint Template is a professional document designed for postgraduate degrees presentations. It provides simple sections that follow the structure and best practices of traditional research thesis presentations. Starting with the introduction to the theory and state of the art scenario; following with hypothesis research and its findings and concluding with the confirmation or negation of the initial thesis statement.
Your thesis defense can be accompanied by an essay, that states your thesis and argues about it using several supporting paragraphs. This kind of document is ideal to be an intermediate step between reading assisting to the thesis presentation and reading the complete thesis documentation. It has more information that your thesis defense abstract, but does summarizes the supporting evidence and examples that allows the argument of each idea behind the thesis. You can use the Essay Outline Template to present your Essay outline and create an essay linked to your thesis defense documentation.
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Great job! This has made my thesis presentation a whole lot easier.
Excellent !!!!!
Now I feel I’m quite confident on how to do my dissertation presentation properly and how to defend it. I will share that with other friends and colleagues.
Thank you so much for your kind help.
Best regards, Awad
Thank you for such a valuable guide.
it was very helpful
Thanks a bunch for the general summary for thesis defense with all related information that we might have to know. Great job!
Great tips.
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Published on June 7, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on November 21, 2023.
A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical early steps in your writing process . It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding the specifics of your dissertation topic and showcasing its relevance to your field.
Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:
In the final product, you can also provide a chapter outline for your readers. This is a short paragraph at the end of your introduction to inform readers about the organizational structure of your thesis or dissertation. This chapter outline is also known as a reading guide or summary outline.
How to outline your thesis or dissertation, dissertation and thesis outline templates, chapter outline example, sample sentences for your chapter outline, sample verbs for variation in your chapter outline, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis and dissertation outlines.
While there are some inter-institutional differences, many outlines proceed in a fairly similar fashion.
For a more detailed overview of chapters and other elements, be sure to check out our article on the structure of a dissertation or download our template .
To help you get started, we’ve created a full thesis or dissertation template in Word or Google Docs format. It’s easy adapt it to your own requirements.
Download Word template Download Google Docs template
It can be easy to fall into a pattern of overusing the same words or sentence constructions, which can make your work monotonous and repetitive for your readers. Consider utilizing some of the alternative constructions presented below.
The passive voice is a common choice for outlines and overviews because the context makes it clear who is carrying out the action (e.g., you are conducting the research ). However, overuse of the passive voice can make your text vague and imprecise.
You can also present your information using the “IS-AV” (inanimate subject with an active verb ) construction.
A chapter is an inanimate object, so it is not capable of taking an action itself (e.g., presenting or discussing). However, the meaning of the sentence is still easily understandable, so the IS-AV construction can be a good way to add variety to your text.
Another option is to use the “I” construction, which is often recommended by style manuals (e.g., APA Style and Chicago style ). However, depending on your field of study, this construction is not always considered professional or academic. Ask your supervisor if you’re not sure.
To truly make the most of these options, consider mixing and matching the passive voice , IS-AV construction , and “I” construction .This can help the flow of your argument and improve the readability of your text.
As you draft the chapter outline, you may also find yourself frequently repeating the same words, such as “discuss,” “present,” “prove,” or “show.” Consider branching out to add richness and nuance to your writing. Here are some examples of synonyms you can use.
Address | Describe | Imply | Refute |
Argue | Determine | Indicate | Report |
Claim | Emphasize | Mention | Reveal |
Clarify | Examine | Point out | Speculate |
Compare | Explain | Posit | Summarize |
Concern | Formulate | Present | Target |
Counter | Focus on | Propose | Treat |
Define | Give | Provide insight into | Underpin |
Demonstrate | Highlight | Recommend | Use |
If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .
The title page of your thesis or dissertation goes first, before all other content or lists that you may choose to include.
A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
George, T. (2023, November 21). Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/dissertation-thesis-outline/
Other students also liked, dissertation table of contents in word | instructions & examples, figure and table lists | word instructions, template & examples, thesis & dissertation acknowledgements | tips & examples, get unlimited documents corrected.
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After years of research and study, you’ve finally reached the grand finale of your PhD years: your dissertation defense. Since defending your dissertation is the culmination of all your hard work, it’s essential to do everything you can to prepare for it.
In this post, we’ll take you through how to ready yourself for your dissertation defense so you can focus on your accomplishments and excel during this crucial professional moment.
The dissertation defense is the crowning moment of years of research – the final examination before a PhD student is awarded their doctoral degree.
During a dissertation defense, the student presents their research, methodology, findings, and conclusions to a committee of faculty members and experts in their field. The committee then engages in a question-and-answer session to assess the student’s understanding of the subject matter, the quality of their research, and their ability to defend their work under scrutiny.
Many PhD students consider it to be the defining moment of their academic career and their chance to prove their expertise in their chosen research field.
If all this sounds overwhelming – don’t worry. If you’re a PhD student, you’ll have plenty of time and opportunity to adequately prepare for your dissertation defense. Below are some strategies to help you get ready for this significant occasion in your career.
Familiarize yourself with your institution’s guidelines and requirements for the defense process. Understanding the format, time limit, and expectations for the presentation will help you to prepare your material and anticipate any issues.
Even if you think you know it inside and out, review your dissertation from beginning to end. It may have been some time since you’ve last read and considered certain portions of your research and findings. Consider what your committee might ask about your research questions , data analysis, and conclusions.
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To begin your defense on a strong note, work on creating a clear and engaging introduction. You can start by briefly outlining the purpose of your study, research questions, and methodology . Try to stay on topic and don’t veer off track by discussing unrelated or unnecessary information.
Practice your presentation skills by rehearsing your defense multiple times. Focus on clarity and pacing and try to stay within the allotted time limit. It also helps to record yourself so that you can see yourself from your audience’s point of view.
To build your confidence, enlist friends and colleagues to conduct mock question-and-answer sessions. When practicing, remember to pause before answering questions you’re unsure of. It’s better to take your time delivering a response than it is to give an inaccurate or incorrect answer.
Find out if your institution offers mock defense sessions where peers or mentors play the role of the committee, ask you questions, and give feedback . You can also have colleagues, mentors, or advisors review your presentation and offer practical feedback.
Think about any visual aids , such as slides, you may want to use to illustrate your defense and prepare them in advance. Be sure to check that your university allows visuals or images and that they enhance, rather than overwhelm, your presentation.
It’s natural to feel nervous but try to stay calm and composed during your defense. Take deep breaths and remind yourself of the expertise you’ve gained through the experience of writing your dissertation.
The best way to prepare for your dissertation defense is to have your dissertation professionally proofread. Our editing experts have extensive experience with a wide variety of academic subjects and topics and can help ensure your dissertation is ready for presentation. Send in a free sample of 500 words or less and get started today.
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A dissertation defense is arguably one of the most important milestones in every student’s career. While it signals that your tenure as a student is soon about to close, it validates all your efforts towards your thesis.
Being cautious about including all the necessary details is very important to successfully complete your dissertation proposal defense. This article tells you everything that you need to know about writing a defense that can add great credibility to you as a student.
The first thing that you need to learn is what is a dissertation defense and what is its purpose. In simple terms, it is a presentation made by a student to defend all the ideas and views that are presented in a dissertation.
The presenter must include details like what is the reason for choosing specific research methods, the theory that has been selected for the paper, and other such points. This presentation is made before an audience that comprises of the university committee, professors and even fellow-students. It is met with questions and answers that gives the student an opportunity to provide more clarity on the dissertation in order to convince the committee to approve it.
One of the most important dissertation defense tips provided by several professors is to breakdown the process into three steps:
The first thing that a student should know is how long does a dissertation defense last? The length has to be carefully calculated to make the impact that you want. One of the most important steps in the dissertation preparation is to understand how much time each department allocates to the closing oral defense. When you plan in the early stages of your dissertation itself, you can write it in a manner that allows you to defend it in the allocated time.
Usually these meetings including the presentation, the oral defense and the question and answer session last for about two hours. In most cases, these two hours also encompass the time needed by members of the committee to deliberate.
Now that you know how long is a dissertation defense, the next step is to prepare well enough to make your presentation impressive.
Here are some tips on how to prepare for a dissertation defense:
With these tips you will be one step closer towards a successful defense that will help your dissertation pass and be approved:
Once the questions have been answered, the committee will leave the room. Then, after the deliberation, you will be informed if your dissertation has passed or not.
For affordable thesis writing assistance , get in touch our team today. The pricing is cheap but students can be assured of top notch quality in all our final products.
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About this book, author biography, table of contents.
I. Getting Started
How to Read This Book
1. Introduction to How to Write a BA Thesis, Second Edition
2. Useful Nuts and Bolts
3. More Nuts and Bolts
II. Framing Your Topic
4. Taking Effective Notes and Avoiding Plagiarism
5. How to Build a Reading List
6. Refining Your Topic, Writing a Proposal, and Beginning Research
III. Conducting Your Research
7. What Is Good Thesis Research?
8. Using Case Studies Effectively
9. Every Thesis Should Have a Thesis
IV. Writing Your Best
10. Planning and Prewriting: How Do They Help Your Thesis?
11. Writing Your Best
12. Effective Openings, Smooth Transitions, and Strong Closings
13. Good Editing Makes Good Writing
14. Presenting Information Visually
15. Presenting Your Work to Others
V. Working Your Best
16. Working Efficiently
17. Overcoming Problems
18. What to Do If You Get Stuck
VI. Scheduling and Completing Your Thesis
19. Thesis Schedule
20. Tips and Reminders
21. Frequently Asked Questions
22. What to Do When You're All Done
VII. Dealing with Special Requirements
23. Thesis Defense and Second Readers: Questions and Answers
24. A One-Semester Thesis
VIII. Citing Your Sources and Getting More Advice
Appendix 1: Best Sources for More Help
Appendix 2: Footnotes 101
Appendix 3: Advice for New Faculty Advisers
Acknowledgments
A no-fail guide to the perfect dissertation defense.
So you’ve finally made it. You’re at the final stage of your doctoral journey and are staring down the dragon guarding the treasure you’ve spent the past three to eight to even twelve years dreaming of during those long nights of dissertation or thesis writing. You’re about to begin defending the study that you’ve poured your, heart, soul, and bank account into developing. And you’re just a few breaths away from becoming Dr. So-and-So, which is going to go a long way to impressing and perhaps shutting up your present/future in-laws. Needless to say, the last thing you want to do right now is choke .
And we’re not going to lie to you. Sometimes the approval of a study is entirely contingent upon a good defense presentation. There’s no such thing as a perfect study. Even if the methodology has been established perfectly, and everything from your research questions to your purpose and problem statements is in perfect alignment, there’s always going to be room for someone on your committee to grill you about a specific aspect of your work.
In other words, there will always be chinks in the armor for those with a critical lens. The question is: Do you know where the weak points of your study are, and do you know how to defend them in a professional doctoral defense format? Seems like you might need some dissertation consulting .
Even if you have some experience in public speaking and formal presentations, this kind of endeavor can be a challenge–whether it’s live or through Skype or another video chat platform. For instance, you could be a regular JFK when it comes to addressing an audience, but in order for a dissertation defense to be successful, there has to be a balance of style and substance. No amount of oratory flair and tongue wagging is going to be able to ward off logical discrepancies relating to the structure of your qualitative research design.
Furthermore, during the dissertation defense, you might even have some members of your committee pointing out issues with minutely flawed details. For instance, you might have a particularly punctilious chair, who’s quite keen on having absolutely perfect grammar and style. How are you going to address your committee when they pick an individual line and state an objection?
Furthermore, what if you’re not the best public speaker in the world? What if you tend to freeze up whenever dealing with the pressure to perform? The fear of public speaking is right up there with spiders. That means that if the concept of public speaking could manifest itself in physical form in your bathroom, roughly 30% of you, our dear readers, would scream and frantically try killing it with a sandal.
According to the University of Pittsburgh , most people experience some form of speech anxiety.
In fact, public speaking is many people’s greatest fear. Speech anxiety can range from a slight feeling of “nerves” to a nearly incapacitating fear. Some of the most common symptoms of speech anxiety are: shaking, sweating, butterflies in the stomach, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, and squeaky voice. Although it is often impossible to completely eliminate speech anxiety there are a variety of ways to deal with it and even make it work to your advantage.
This may have been something you’ve dealt with all your life, so how are you going to get through it come time for your formal qualitative research dissertation defense?
We’re not trying to induce any unnecessary anxiety here, though we are probably doing a good job at it. What we are trying to do is to spell out why the dissertation defense is something that can’t be ignored as a potential stumbling block on your way to graduation. Indeed, there are plenty of doctoral candidates who approach their defense as if it’s just a rite of passage–a formality. And it is that to some degree (though maybe of the Klingon variety ). But most universities take this defense very seriously, and you can be sure that, if your professors are going to take a few hours out of their week to dedicate their attention to your statistical analysis , that they’re going to scrutinize every detail.
So what do you do if you’re in this type of scenario–i.e., you have an upcoming doctoral defense? Well, you can just disenroll and decide that those eight years you spent working on your study on the drinking habits of rural people in Generation X were just a waste of time (Why didn’t I focus on Generation Y?!?). Or you can buck up and learn exactly what you need to do in order to make your defense a smashing success.
The best advice we can give you right here at the beginning is never to go at anything in your doctoral program alone. After all, education is all about learning your way to your best self–and, unless you’re a supreme autodidact (and in that case, why are you going to school), you’re going to have to rely on the lessons of other people to get to the next stage of your journey (aka, out of graduate school and on with your life; hopefully, there will be a yacht in your future .
That said, we’ve asked our dissertation consultants to compile a list of all of the best dissertation defense tips we know of to make sure you ace this all-important test on your road to fame and fortune. Get ready for our top tips for getting through the dissertation defense process.
As discussed, even though you may not be pursuing a degree in public speaking, getting through your dissertation defense is worth doing some research into the best techniques for wowing your audience. After all, you don’t want the culmination of almost a decade of work to seem like a Ben Stein lecture . The last thing your chair wants to see at such a pivotal stage in your doctoral program is someone who looks like they’re just going through the motions. You should be projecting passion and knowledge throughout the presentation, and there are some easy ways to accomplish this–even if you aren’t a public speaker.
For instance, you might think that your defense of your statistical analysis is all about showcasing a proper methodology , along with accurate results. And, to some extent, it is. However, if your committee was solely interested in the facts and figures behind your work, it’s all right there in black and white. Indeed, as discussed previously, even though the defense itself bears a lot of weight in terms of whether you’re able to graduate successfully, there’s also a somewhat ceremonial quality to the dissertation defense. In other words, it’s almost like a critical celebration of your achievement. You’re like the host of an awards ceremony. All eyes are on you, and, as such, this can either turn into a panache-filled evening of fun, or an off-the-rails disaster that everyone is talking about the next day .
So, while we always preach substance over style, you should know that your dissertation defense is an inherently style-forward component of your doctoral work. It’s a presentation, after all, and you remember just how effective a little glue and glitter were when it came to getting passing grades in elementary school. That said, here are a few adult equivalents of those tools to help you during your presentation.
As discussed, it’s easy for researchers to get lost in the facts and figures of their work. However, when it comes time to present, you need to remember the practical purpose of why you’ve conducted this quantitative and/or qualitative research in the first place. You’re the storyteller of your study in this scenario, and, as such, you should place the conflict that your study is addressing at the forefront. The following questions should give you a good idea of how to structure your presentation to place the human element far forward: What is the problem? What do we not know? Why is this important? What are you doing to fix this problem? How did you do it? Why did you do it that way? What were the results? Why are those results important? What should we do now?
Remember that, even though your committee will be fluent in all of the nitty-gritty elements of your research design, having a clear narrative of the problem v. solution dynamic of your research is never a bad thing and will ultimately lead to a more compelling presentation.
Researching public speaking techniques is a good idea, and we definitely recommend that you do a few practice defenses before the real thing. In fact, we regularly conduct comprehensive mock defenses for students all across the U.S. and abroad, and we’d be happy to allot some time to put you through a practice run so that you’re fully prepared for the real thing.
However, if you’re not a public speaker, don’t rush full-boar into trying to learn and implement every public speaking technique in the book after a two-week crash course. Otherwise, you’ll risk looking like this guy .
Instead, take experts’ advice into consideration, and remember to speak assertively whenever you’re presenting your ideas. As long as you speak clearly and according to your script, you’re on the right path.
This might be difficult, especially given the importance of the defense and its bearing on your entire academic career… Okay, sorry, not helping. In all seriousness, it’s important to stay calm throughout your defense. The best way to do this is to remember that all of the ammunition you need is right there in your study. If you’re at this point in the process, it’s unlikely that there’s a question regarding your methodology and findings that you can’t answer. If you do encounter a question that leaves you at a loss, calmly respond that you don’t know. Don’t allow yourself to become frazzled, as this will only exacerbate your vulnerability in front of your audience. You got this. Already have you that which you need!
You didn’t get to this point in your educational career alone, and you’re not going to get out of it alone either. Especially if you’re new to the process, the last thing you want to do is go solo and expect that you’ll be fine without any advice or consultation from experts.
For instance, when you’re preparing for your defense, it’s very likely that you’ll need to put together a PowerPoint presentation that distills the main points of your study into compelling slides. If you’re unfamiliar with PowerPoint, or if you’d prefer to spend your time in the lead-up to the defense preparing to answer the questions of your committee, we highly recommend consulting with a dissertation coach to help you develop these materials. Many dissertation coaches (like the ones who work here at Precision Consulting) can not only provide you with help on your PowerPoint slides but they can also help you with the composition of your speaker notes, which will be instrumental in streamlining your presentation for your committee.
This also adds a layer of protection if you’re a bit nervous about your performance as a public speaker, as you can always stick to the script if you feel like you’re wavering. Furthermore, we know that one of the most common pitfalls for students facing their dissertation defense is the dread of not having enough material to go on. Indeed, many students will often underestimate the length of their presentation, which will lead to an awkward “Is that it? Moment after you find that the slideshow you’ve developed was only enough material for roughly five minutes of actual speaking. Working with a qualified expert to develop your presentation, however, is a surefire way to avoid this kind of misfortune, as a dissertation coach will always have a handle on the proper and expected length for any given dissertation defense.
We also highly recommend that you drill your presentation with someone who’s familiar with the ins and outs of the dissertation process. Although it’s always a great idea to run your presentation by your colleagues (even your friends and family), this won’t give you the best idea of what to expect during the real thing. Indeed, while it will definitely help you if you have some difficulty with public speaking, you’re going to need someone on your side who can simulate, with complete accuracy, all of the nuances of a formal university defense.
This, of course, is another area where working with a dissertation coach can help you, as we’ll be able to run you through a complete mock defense, completely in line with your university’s standards. Thus, not only will you have the benefit of experiencing the pressure of having your work viewed through a critical lens, you’ll have more of an idea of the questions your work will raise among your reviewers once it’s time for the real thing.
Thus, there are three questions you need to ask yourself before making sure you have all of the materials you need for a successful dissertation defense:
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’re going to be set up for success. And, as always, it’s important to establish a support system throughout this process, so you’ll know that, no matter what, you won’t have to face this challenge alone.
You’re about to defend your statistical analysis or qualitative research, so it’s safe to say that you’re not new to the academic world. However, sometimes–whether it’s due to overconfidence or just being burnt out after all of those years of work–even seasoned veterans can lose sight of the tried and true methods that got them this far. You’re so close to being finished, but don’t think that you’re immune from the consequences of making amateur mistakes. These can delay your graduation, which can result in you spending even more time and tuition waiting for the big day…all over again.
For instance, make sure that before your dissertation defense date you’re getting enough sleep. Sure, we often extol the virtues of burning the candle at both ends in order to complete our papers on time, but this kind of overexertion can definitely put a damper on your performance when you’re up in front of your committee. So many people dismiss the effects of sleep deprivation, when it’s impact on your mental acuity can indeed be quite profound.
In fact, if sleep deprivation becomes too much of an issue (as it often does for people enrolled in doctoral programs), you can even experience things like delirium, which can significantly impair your ability to develop a cogent argument. LiveScience sums it up as such by describing instances where delirium formed in ICU patients due to a lack of sleep:
True delirium occurs when a person becomes completely disoriented, Feinsilver said. “Sleep can play a role in that,” he said.
Patients who have been hospitalized in intensive care units — where lights and sounds may continue all day and night — can develop a condition that doctors call “ICU delirium,” he said. And while it’s unclear if sleep deprivation is the cause of this delirium, doctors do think that loss of sleep is one reason people in the hospital for extended periods develop bizarre behavior, he said.
The worst thing you can do for sleep is put someone is a hospital, Feinsilver added. It’s fairly common for for hospitalized patients to develop insomnia, he said.
Aside from getting enough sleep, nutrition and hydration are also extremely important. You don’t want to defend your dissertation on an empty stomach. And, likewise, you don’t want to defend your dissertation having just gorged yourself on a Five Guys double cheeseburger (unless that’s just really your thing).
Remember the basics. Consider yourself an academic athlete, and know ahead of time what you need to do in order to be your best self. If you tend to think better after going on a morning jog, do that. Whatever rituals have worked for you in the past, now is definitely not the time to break those good habits.
Needless to say, if you’re thinking about having an all-nighter before your dissertation defense, just…don’t. We’ve heard all too many horror stories from students who celebrated their graduation prematurely–resulting in everything from sleeping through the scheduled time to appearing visibly hungover during the presentation itself. We even had a student discussing an ordeal in which he was expressly asked by his committee if he had been drinking the night before during his defense. This is, of course, not where you want to be, as universities have their own way of throwing you in the drunk tank. It’s called another year of redoing your statistical analysis from scratch. Yikes! You’re definitely better off relying on a dissertation coach.
You’ve been building toward this moment for years, so make sure that you have everything lined up the way you want it. Fortunately, the hard work is all behind you, but dismissing the dissertation defense as a given approval is a mistake that too many students make.
Again, make sure that you’re set up for success by consulting with a professional dissertation coach who can help you develop each component of your defense preparation. This way, you won’t leave anything to chance.
Just give us a call anytime at 646.553.4730 or email us at [email protected] for some one-on-one help with a dissertation consultant, a thesis writer , or even a statistician. Our experts in statistics, literature, and qualitative research and analysis will be happy to assist, whether it’s through an editing service or through a qualitative analysis of your current topic to find relevant sources that we can use to render dissertation help. Basically, think of it as having your own private dissertation coach, free for consultation anytime you need it.
Dissertation defense process.
The dissertation defense is one of the most important moments in a graduate student’s career. When a student is deemed to be ready to defend the doctoral thesis, the student is the expert in a particular research area. At the defense the student is expected to cogently and clearly explain their research and how it fits with other scholarship in the field of study. The exact nature of the oral defense may vary by discipline and department, so it is important that the student talk to the dissertation committee chair about what to expect and how to prepare.
The defense typically lasts about two hours and may be open to the public. The defense aims to accomplish two goals. First, it will provide an occasion for the presentation and recognition of the completed doctoral work. Second, it will furnish the opportunity for discussion and formal evaluation of the dissertation.
The timing of the defense will be set by the student in consultation with the dissertation committee. Students should contact their departments to schedule the dissertation defense. Note that some departments do not schedule examinations in summer. The student should send copies of the dissertation to the members of the committee no later than three weeks prior to the defense. The time and place of the defense shall be announced on the department’s calendar of events.
The chair of the student's dissertation committee and at least one other committee member must be present in person. In the case that a committee member is unable to attend in person, the committee member may participate by Skype or other teleconference media. The defense must be open to all faculty within the department. Broader attendance will be left to the discretion of the student in consultation with the committee.
Please note: Departments will be allowed to have in-person defenses. Additionally, there is no reason to limit remote defenses if that is what the participants want and the department/committee approves.
The dissertation defense shall be an open presentation by the student on the main aspects of the research reported in the dissertation, followed by questions, comments, and discussion. The chair of the dissertation committee or a designee shall act as the moderator of this discussion and shall have discretion to decide whether questions are germane to the topic of the dissertation. After discussion is completed, the departmental faculty in attendance and the dissertation committee will decide privately whether the dissertation defense has been satisfactory.
The dissertation chair or designee will report the results as soon as possible after the dissertation defense to the Dean of Students office by submitting a signed Report of Final Examination and a Dissertation Defense Form. If the manuscript is to undergo revisions, the student will be informed of the timeframe in which the revisions are to be completed.
A final copy of the dissertation must be submitted following the procedure outlined on the Dissertation Office website by Friday of the seventh week of the quarter in which a student is graduating, sixth week in summer quarter. The defense should be held in sufficient advance of this deadline to allow revisions recommended by the student's dissertation committee.
Students should contact the Dissertation Office no later than early in the quarter in which they intend to graduate in order to resolve any questions or problems they may have in preparing the dissertation. The Dissertation Office staff is willing to look at a draft of the dissertation. Having them do so avoids both the expense and headache of having to re-format the dissertation. They offer a schedule to help students plan for a smooth process to meet these deadlines.
Additional requirements including where the dissertation must be submitted is available at: https://studentmanual.uchicago.edu/academic-policies/dissertation-requirements/
Office of the Dean of Students [email protected] 773.702.1552
The Boeing Company's ( NYSE: BA ) bullish outlook is supported by its $437 billion backlog and the ramp-up production rate. Even though Boeing has had severe setbacks recently, the company is poised for long-term growth thanks to fuel-efficient aircraft demand for the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner and fleet modernization, especially in high-growth markets, including China.
With its strong fundamentals, solid defense and services portfolio, and growing global marketplace, Boeing has upside potential from current levels. More conservative investors may want to wait for more attractive risk/reward entry points, as illustrated by an RSI reading below 30.
BA currently trades at $163; the average 2024 price target is $200. This aligns with the 1.0 Fibonacci retracement level, suggesting moderate bullish expectations. The optimistic target is $222, corresponding to the 1.618 Fibonacci level. If the stock breaks current resistance, there is potential for significant upside. The pessimistic target is $178.00, linked to the 0.382 Fibonacci level, indicating minimal upward movement and limited downside risk.
The RSI is 44.06, which shows the stock is neither overbought nor oversold with no clear bullish or bearish divergence. The RSI trend is sideways but may revert downwards, suggesting a potential weakening in momentum. Predicting short-term movement is challenging due to weak RSI signals.
Lastly, the Volume Price Trend ("VPT") line is moving sideways and trending downwards, indicating a possible decrease in buying pressure. The VPT line is at 165.97 million, below its moving average of 172.20 million, which could be a bearish signal if the trend continues.
Yiazou (trendspider.com)
Based on 50 years of data, the seasonality analysis for BA shows a 53% chance of positive returns in September. While this is slightly above the 50% threshold, it suggests a relatively neutral performance historically for the month. Investors should remain cautious as the probability of gains is moderate compared to stronger months like November (66%) and December (68%). September offers a balanced but not overly favorable outlook based on past trends.
Boeing's 2024 Commercial Market Outlook for China indicates the company's top-line growth potency. This is based on predictions that China's commercial fleet will be 2X by 2043. This growth now positions China as the world's largest traffic market. Air travel within China may grow 5.2% annually, surpassing the global average passenger traffic growth of 4.7%. This fleet expansion will occur at an annual rate of 4.1% and expand from 4,345 to 9,740 airplanes. Hence, the increased fleet size and passenger volume represent a major opportunity for Boeing.
Specifically, the demand for 8,830 new planes in the next 20 years led to massive market potential for Boeing. Of these planes, 60% will support fleet growth, and 40% will replace older jets. This demand includes 6,720 single-aisle, 1,575 wide body airplanes, and 170 freighters, leading to a diverse demand across various aircraft types. Boeing's focus on fuel-efficient models aligns with global sustainability trends, and its advancements related to the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner provide the company with an edge.
As of Q2, 90 737-8 aircraft in inventory were produced before 2023, including 65 aircraft for China-based clients, which reflects the region's significance. Over the long term, East Asia (China, South Korea, and Japan) had a solid fraction in delivery numbers (in the mid-2010s). This trend can materialize (repeat) in the mid-to-long term.
Moreover, China's aviation market growth will drive demand for services valued at $780 billion. Nearly 430,000 new personnel will be needed, including pilots and maintenance technicians. This demand presents Boeing with an opportunity to expand in the services sector. Boeing's long-standing relationship with China positions it as a key player. Hence, the company can leverage its expertise in training and maintenance to support the growing fleet.
statista.com
Besides, the Israeli EL AL Israel Airlines signed a firm order for up to 31 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, aiming at refreshing its fleet. It will be the largest aircraft order in the airline's 76-year history. In this case, 737 MAX is chosen for fuel efficiency and lower emissions ground, reducing fuel consumption and emissions by 20% compared to older models. The aircraft also has a 50% smaller noise footprint, and these features align with EL AL's goal of improving environmental performance. This is essential as environmental regulations tighten and airlines face pressure to cut carbon emissions.
This order highlights Boeing's engineering capabilities, as the 737 MAX's efficiency and low noise levels offer compelling value. Regarding longevity, Boeing's long-term relationship with EL AL (over seven decades) points to its ability to build lasting partnerships. The 737 MAX order and EL AL's earlier purchase of 787 Dreamliners boost Boeing's position in the Middle East market.
Financially, the EL AL order represents more than immediate revenue, ensuring a steady income stream and market influence for years. As EL AL continues to modernize its fleet with Boeing aircraft, it reinforces Boeing's market dominance. Boeing's ability to secure significant orders in a competitive market highlights its strength. This order enhances Boeing's top-line stability and market share, mostly in competitive regions with the capacity to meet the diverse needs of global airlines.
Finally, these positive developments are not yet reflected in analysts' estimates, as observed in the current downside revision trends. This creates an advantage for the stock as the news was released recently, and the street estimates are not quantified.
seekingalpha.com
Boeing's Q2 2024 earnings report shows financial resilience despite ongoing challenges. The company reported $16.9 billion in revenue, reflecting lower commercial delivery volumes. However, Boeing maintains a substantial backlog of $437 billion, including more than 5,400 airplanes, a key indicator of future revenue streams. This backlog ensures Boeing's long-term financial stability. The quarter ended with a loss per share of $2.90 with a massive down-turn on free cash flow (to -$4.3 billion from $2.6 billion in Q2 2023). This loss was due to lower commercial deliveries and defense program losses.
Despite this, Boeing's focus on increasing production and stabilizing operations is promising. The company has worked to stabilize its supply chain, which is particularly important following the January accident. Slowing down production and controlling traveled work have helped. The supply chain has caught up, improving quality and delivery stability. Employee proficiency, notice of escapes, supplier shortages, and rework hours have improved. Transferring the Renton fuselage inspection process to Wichita helped reduce defects. Increased on-site Boeing inspectors also contributed to fewer defects and improved flow times.
Further, Boeing's planned acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems is a strategic move as this $4.7 billion all-stock transaction is valued at approximately $8.3 billion. The acquisition is expected to close by mid-2025, and bringing critical manufacturing work in-house is a major goal. This aims to enhance manufacturing capabilities and unify safety and quality systems. The acquisition aligns Boeing's operations with strategic priorities that support supply chain stability and integrate manufacturing and engineering workforces.
In the long term, its fortunes in the defense industry could cure Boeing's financial ills. Boeing Global Services ("BGS") shone bright, posting a revenue of $4.9 billion in Q2 2024, up 3% year over year ("YoY"). BGS secured significant contracts, including Apache performance-based logistics from the US Army. FliteDeck Pro service contracts with major airlines also highlight its success. Therefore, BGS's continued strength demonstrates its growth potential, as revenue has grown 3% YoY.
2Q24 Earnings Presentation
Boeing's growth strategy faces significant challenges. The company heavily relies on China for projected growth. Boeing could see lower sales if China's market faces geopolitical or economic issues. Hence, the slower economic growth in China could reduce demand for new aircraft and impact Boeing's delivery targets.
Moreover, Boeing projects that single-aisle planes will dominate deliveries, with 1,575 wide body planes needed. This diversification poses production and supply chain challenges. Managing high production volumes of single-aisle planes while handling wide body planes could strain resources. Delays or quality issues may lead to missed deadlines and higher costs.
Additionally, EL AL Israel Airlines' recent order of up to 31 Boeing 737 MAX jets is significant. However, this partnership could face challenges. Boeing's dependence on the 737 MAX for fuel efficiency and performance is risky. The 737 MAX is designed to reduce fuel use and emissions by 20%. Yet, past technical issues, including fatal crashes, could resurface. Such issues might damage customer confidence and lead to order cancellations.
Finally, Boeing's fixed-price defense development programs also pose risks. These contracts set a fixed price for development and delivery, regardless of cost overruns. In Q2 2024, Boeing reported a $1 billion loss on such contracts. These losses affect Boeing's profitability and resource allocation, including contracts related to the T-7A, VC-25B, and commercial crew programs.
Boeing still has many manufacturing risks, mainly related to its 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner models. Although new processes have been implemented, such as better worker training and oversight of suppliers such as Spirit AeroSystems, the company has made some progress in mitigating safety and quality concerns. The problems have prompted the Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") to cap the production of the 737 MAX aircraft as the agency continues heavy oversight, inspecting each plane before it leaves the assembly line. Hence, there has been an ongoing scrutiny of manufacturing issues, showing that only some problems are fully fixed and may disrupt production and delivery schedules.
Past incidents, including fatal crashes tied to the 737 MAX, have left Boeing with a bruise on its reputation, leading to criminal investigations and increased regulatory scrutiny. Even a whisper of added safety flaws might hurt the stock, as trusting the firm is still fragile. Besides, government interventions may prolong FAA audits or put restrictions that further delay Boeing's complete recovery and dampen the company's responsiveness to market demands. These considerations create potential risks for investors due to future setbacks that will surely decrease the performance of the company's stock.
With the Boeing backlog hovering at $437 billion and increasing, coupled with robust demand for fuel-efficient aircraft such as the 737 MAX and the 787 Dreamliner, the company should achieve growth in the long term. With all of Boeing's challenges lately, the company speaks about nothing but production stabilization. Upside potential appears great because market positions dominate every critical region, especially China.
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How to prepare for a thesis defense quick guide. Check with your department about requirements and timing. Re-read your thesis. Anticipate questions and prepare for them. Create a back-up plan to deal with technology hiccups. Plan de-stressing activities both before, and after, your defense.
23 Thesis Defense and Second Readers: Questions and Answers 323 24 A One- Semer est Thesis 263 VIII. CITING YOUR SOURCES AND GETTING MORE ADVICE ... to tackle your BA thesis, which many students say is the most rewarding project of their college years. Why do so many students find it so worthwhile to research and write
The defense turned into a meaningful academic conversation, making me feel like a genuine expert in my field. Wrapping up - prepare for a thesis defense. Defending your thesis is a significant milestone, whether you're aiming for a master's degree or pushing the boundaries of academia with a Ph.D.
Crafting a thesis is significant, but defending it often feels like the ultimate test. While nerve-wracking, proper preparation can make it manageable. Prepare for your thesis defense with insights on the top questions you can expect, including strategies for answering convincingly. Contents Mastering the thesis defense: cultivate a success mindsetQuestion 1: Why did you choose
Definition: Thesis Defense. A thesis defense is an act of presenting your work to a panel of professors so they can grade your presentation abilities. In retrospect, the argument is essential to ascertain that you understood the topic. You have to hand in your paper first so that the lecturer can grade it before you appear for the defense.
The thesis defense, also known as thesis presentation or disputation in certain countries, signifies what is often the last and final part of your thesis journey. This is your moment to shine, where you are the center of the stage, to promote your thesis and discuss your results and your research. To some, this event is stressfull, particularly ...
Have a plan for computer/internet problems if you are presenting virtually. Eat well and get a good night's rest before the defense. Arrive at the defense venue early enough to test any IT equipment or internet connection. For more tips on how to write a good thesis, where to find the best thesis editing services.
How to Write a BA Thesis is the only book that directly addresses the needs of undergraduate students writing a major paper. This book offers step-by-step advice on how to move from early ideas to finished paper. It covers choosing a topic, selecting an advisor, writing a proposal, conducting research, developing an argument, writing and editing the thesis, and making through a defense. Lipson ...
From Nerves to Triumph: Your Personal Guide to Dissertation Defense. Jennifer Harrison. August 26, 2023. Aberystwyth University. Dissertation Defence/ Viva, Mental Health, Thesis and Dissertation, Thesis Tips, Wellbeing. Join Dr. Jen Harrison on a compelling voyage as she delves into the world of defending a dissertation/thesis.
How to prepare for dissertation defense: 5 Tips for success. Here are some practical tips to help you prepare for your dissertation defense: 1. Know your research inside out. This might seem obvious, but it's crucial. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your methodology, data analysis, and conclusions.
A thesis defense gives you the chance to show off your thesis work and demonstrate your expertise in your field of study. During this one- to two-hour discussion with the members of your thesis committee, you'll have some control over how you present your research, but your committee will ask you some prodding questions to test your knowledge and preparedness. They will all have read your ...
Give yourself an on-the-day boost by planning your studying and preparation well in advance. This will enable you to take a break before the actual day. If the day before your thesis defense can be one spent in contemplation, meditation, or relaxation, you'll have a much better mental state for the defense itself.
Myth #1. "Answer all the questions correctly. Otherwise, your thesis won't get approved.". You are expected to have a focus on your research. That being said, you have to study each part of your thesis, every detail, and even your sources. You have to study and practice how to effectively deliver your presentation.
Make sure to get across the fundamentals while defending your thesis. First, state your thesis/research question. You need to describe the importance of your topic and detail how your research was conducted, including any methods of measurement you have used. The major findings of your thesis should be made clear, as well as how your thesis ...
Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates. Published on June 7, 2022 by Tegan George.Revised on November 21, 2023. A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical early steps in your writing process.It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding the specifics of your dissertation topic and showcasing its relevance to ...
3. Work on Starting Strong. To begin your defense on a strong note, work on creating a clear and engaging introduction. You can start by briefly outlining the purpose of your study, research questions, and methodology. Try to stay on topic and don't veer off track by discussing unrelated or unnecessary information. 4.
One of the most important steps in the dissertation preparation is to understand how much time each department allocates to the closing oral defense. When you plan in the early stages of your dissertation itself, you can write it in a manner that allows you to defend it in the allocated time. Usually these meetings including the presentation ...
Defending a thesis largely serves as a formality because the paper will already have been evaluated. During a defense, a student will be asked questions by members of the thesis committee. Questions are usually open-ended and require that the student think critically about his or her work. A defense might take only 20 minutes, or it might take ...
Thesis: process X is a feasible way to do task Y. One defense for this kind of claim is an analysis of the complexity, or completeness, or whatever, of the theoretical algorithm. In computer science, the more common defense is based on empirical results from running an experiment. A good defense here means more than one example, and answers to ...
How to Write a BA Thesis is the only book that directly addresses the needs of undergraduate students writing a major paper. This book offers step-by-step advice on how to move from early ideas to finished paper. It covers choosing a topic, selecting an advisor, writing a proposal, conducting research, developing an argument, writing and editing the thesis, and making through a defense.
A No-Fail Guide to the Perfect Dissertation Defense. November 8, 2018. So you've finally made it. You're at the final stage of your doctoral journey and are staring down the dragon guarding the treasure you've spent the past three to eight to even twelve years dreaming of during those long nights of dissertation or thesis writing.
The defense aims to accomplish two goals. First, it will provide an occasion for the presentation and recognition of the completed doctoral work. Second, it will furnish the opportunity for discussion and formal evaluation of the dissertation. The timing of the defense will be set by the student in consultation with the dissertation committee.
1.3 Scope of the Bachelor's Thesis BA thesis is prepared and defended by two co-operating students, unless the Regulations for BA Thesis provides otherwise. Two or three students, when writing BA thesis, choose co-authors, share work and decide which group member will present BA thesis or part of it and how it will be performed.
sanfel. Investment Thesis. The Boeing Company's (NYSE:BA) bullish outlook is supported by its $437 billion backlog and the ramp-up production rate.Even though Boeing has had severe setbacks ...