what do examiners really want
TRANSCRIPT
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What do
examiners(really)
want?
Dr Inger MewburnDirector of research training
The Australian NationalUniversity
& editor of the thesis whisperer
blog
This workshop is part of the Research
Masterclass series. The hashtag for theseworkshops is #anumasterclass
http://thesiswhisperer.com/http://thesiswhisperer.com/http://researchstudents.anu.edu.au/masterclass/index.phphttp://researchstudents.anu.edu.au/masterclass/index.phphttp://researchstudents.anu.edu.au/masterclass/index.phphttp://researchstudents.anu.edu.au/masterclass/index.phphttp://thesiswhisperer.com/http://thesiswhisperer.com/http://thesiswhisperer.com/http://thesiswhisperer.com/ -
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Researchers have studied how research
degree examiners go about examining athesis
This research can tell us a lot about how tocompose and writea thesis..
Most of this presentation is based on the seminal paper:Mullins, G and Kiley, M (2002) "It's a PhD not a Nobel
prize"Studies in Higher Education, Vol 27, No.4
http://www.studentservices.uwa.edu.au/__data/page/65297/Its_a_PhD_not_a_Nobel_Prize.pdfhttp://www.studentservices.uwa.edu.au/__data/page/65297/Its_a_PhD_not_a_Nobel_Prize.pdfhttp://www.studentservices.uwa.edu.au/__data/page/65297/Its_a_PhD_not_a_Nobel_Prize.pdfhttp://www.studentservices.uwa.edu.au/__data/page/65297/Its_a_PhD_not_a_Nobel_Prize.pdf -
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In this workshop we will:
Think about the history of the PhD and the
thesis as a genre.
Look at howexaminers examine (and how they
decide if a thesis is good or not)
Work out how to failyour PhD (so that you
won't)
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Before we start... why did you come?
In groups of no more than four talk about
any questions or concernsyou have
about the examination process.
Together decide on your top three.
I'll ask you to sharethese with the rest of
the group in about 10 minutes.
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What is a thesis
There are currently 3 main types of thesis
handed in by research students:
the Big Book
the Bunch of Papers
the Creative Exegesis
There are some conventions around each type.
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FAQ
How long does the examination
process take?
How many words do I need?
Can I fail my degree?
Should I put my degree online?
... any others?
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In Australia, examination happens
by external peer review.
Examiners are asked to write a report on your
thesis and make recommendations.
Sometimes guidelines are sent to examiners to
help them do this.
... but don't expect the examiner to read, or
follow, these instructions!
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How do examiners read a thesis?
Many:
Read the abstract or summary
Then read the introduction
Then go straight to the conclusion
Then look at the bibliography...
Then read: either from cover to cover or
skipping around the bits that interest them.
What does this mean for us as writers?
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What is a 'good' thesis?
A report of work which others would want to read
Tells a compelling story articulately whilst pre-empting
inevitable critiques
Carries the reader into complex realms; informs and
educates him/her
Be sufficiently speculative or original to suggest you would
be an interesting future colleague
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What is a 'bad' thesis?
Confusedor inadequate theoretical framework
'Merely descriptivea data gathering exercise
Researched the wrong problem
Mixed or confused methodological perspectivesSloppy presentation
Inconsistencybetween introduction and conclusion
Lacking confidence in the writing
Presenting work thats not original
Not being able to explain at the end of a thesis what has
actually been argued in the thesis
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It's a simple matter of
'Academic Reproduction'
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Like Yoda, we are in the business
of training independent scholars
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Your text is your academic 'avatar'
You aren't there to talk to your examiner -
your text has to 'speak' for you
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Writing a thesis is a bit like going to a party...
When we interact with others we form our
opinion of them by how well they play the role
weexpect of them
What role are you playing in this text?
"The independent scholar"
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Design your own academic 'character'
Think of an adjective you think best
describes the academics in your
discipline.
Write them on the post it notes I have
provided and stick them on the
whiteboard
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To finish: 5 ways to fail your PhD
1. Don't talk to your supervisors about who you
think should examine your thesis.
2. Send your thesis to someone who has never
examined before.
3. Write a bad literature review.
4. Have an introduction from one thesis and a
conclusion from another.5. Don't get a copy editor
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Gee, thanks Inger.
Now I feel like this!
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I need more help.
Try these books:Gruba, P & Evans, D (2001) How to write a better thesis, University of
Melbourne Press, Melbourne
Rugg, G and Petre, M (2004) The Unwritten Rules of PhD Research, Open
University Press, Maidenhead.
Booth, W, Gregory, C and Williams, J (1995) The craft of research, University
of Chicago Press, Chicago
Kamler, B & Thomson, P (2006) Helping Doctoral Students to Write, Routledge,
New York
And these papers:Mullins, G and Kiley, M (2002) It's a PhD not a Nobel prize" Studies in Higher
Education, Vol 27, No.4
Winter, R, Griffiths, M & Green, K (2000) The 'academic' qualities of practice:
what are the criteria for a practice based PhD?, Studies in Higher
Education, 25, pp. 25 - 37
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What can ANU do for me?
The academic skills and learning centreoffer one on one assistance; visit
their sitefor details.
TheANU library can help you with referencing and bibliography formatting,
some software problems, how to access the data commons and questions
about copyright.
You canemploy a copy-editor, but they must conform to editing guidelines.
The ANU offers a free and confidential counselling serviceto all current ANUstudents and staff and have a 24 hour hotline: 1800 629 354
https://academicskills.anu.edu.au/appointmentshttps://academicskills.anu.edu.au/appointmentshttp://anulib.anu.edu.au/http://counselling.anu.edu.au/http://counselling.anu.edu.au/http://anulib.anu.edu.au/https://academicskills.anu.edu.au/appointmentshttps://academicskills.anu.edu.au/appointments -
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Have I answered all your questions
and soothed your fears?
If not, tell me about it in the
feedback form (there's plenty
of room on the back of the
sheet).
And/or make an appointment
with the associate dean HDRin your college who is an
expert on the process.
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Thanks for listening!
Remember, we're here to help too.
You can email the research training team in the
office of the Pro vice chancellor anytime on:
Or talk to us on Twitterand Facebook.
https://twitter.com/ANU_RSAThttps://www.facebook.com/AnuResearchSkillsAndTraininghttps://www.facebook.com/AnuResearchSkillsAndTraininghttps://twitter.com/ANU_RSAT