Preparing For Your Dissertation Defense (Viva Voce): 9 Questions You MUST Be Ready For (+ Examples)

Learn about the 9 critical questions you need to be ready for as you prepare for your dissertation or thesis defense (also called a viva voce or oral defense). Derek Jansen (MBA) and David Phair (PhD) discuss the 9 questions (plus one bonus question!) in detail and how you need to answer them, so that you can prepare for your dissertation defense efficiently. This video will also be useful if you're planning to defend your dissertation or thesis proposal.

Overview: Dissertation Defense & Viva Voce Questions
00:00 Introduction: Preparing for your dissertation defense
02:07 What is your study about and why did you choose to research this?
04:57 How did your research questions evolve during the research process?
11:00 How did you design your study and why did you take this approach?
16:22 What were the main shortcomings and limitations created by your research design?
21:12 How did your findings relate to the existing literature?
25:29 What were your key findings in relation to the research questions?
29:02 Were there any findings that surprised you?
33:32 What biases may exist in your research?
38:47 How can your findings be put into practice?
43:10 Bonus Q: If you could redo your research, how would you alter your approach?

Have a question related to the dissertation defense or preparation process? Leave a comment below and we'll do our best to help.

Dissertation defense/viva voce-related links:

Our Socials

[abbasisma]

"1. What is your study about and why did you choose this topic?
2. How did your research question evolve during the research process?
3. How did you design your study and why did you take this approach?
4. What were the main shortcomings and limitations of your design?
5. How did your findings relate to the existing literature?
6. How did your findings relate to the research question?
7. Were there any findings that surprised you?
8. What biases may exist in your research?
9. How can your research findings be put into practice?"

You are welcome :)

[steyndewet]

Hey guys, successfully defended my PhD Industrial Engineering thesis yesterday. Thanks so much - this really helped.

[deetrinda]

Thanks! I answered all of these questions in written form one month before my oral exams. I practiced the Q/A with friends and on my own time. Each of my committee members asked these questions in one way or another. I passed my exams in March 😊.

[JakeEden]

Genuinely can’t thank you guys enough for this! Defending my masters very soon and this really helped to calm my nerves.

[tabithamurugi]

I'm preparing for my defense come next month and I must admit this is quite an eye-opener. Thank you David and Derek

[bekewuruballard]

I can't help watching this again and again. This has given me great insight into my final Ph.D. oral dissertation defense. Great job!

[imrankhurshid]

I will say just one thing, that is thank you so much and may God bless u both

[mariastar]

GradCoach, you kept my mental health stable and calm during my whole writing process, thank you so much for the work you are doing! Tomorrow I am going to present thesis for MA in Education Policy, and this all is happening because of your support! I am forever grateful to you

[theindianchhori]

I literally have my defense in 2 days. This video has helped me a lot in the preparation. Thank you so much

[namitapalod]

Thank you so much grad coach, I got “A grade” in my masters thesis by following your lectures.. thanks a lot 😇

[joselynann]

I have my defence in less than 10 days and this video has been SO helpful. Obviously the info on the questions is great, but the examples were super useful! Thank you! x

[satvikvenkatesh]

I just defended my thesis today and I found this video extremely helpful! Thank you very much!

[isaacfordjr.]

Thanks very much, this video is actually taking all the fears in me for thesis defense..
I’m very grateful to you

[Nagmbeirut]

This is the best video on YouTube about preparing for your viva. It is constructive and I really appreciate the work you put into it and the informative website. Thanks a lot. On a side note; I hoped you would include advice on how to answer difficult questions or those you didn’t anticipate with some examples.

[komalomR]

Thanks for this, guys. I successfully defended my viva and I owe a lot of it to the superb advice you share here. It’s exceptional. This is the most helpful video with regards to preparing for the PhD viva. GradCoach is a must-watch channel, to help PhD students throughout this roller-coaster journey, and you guys are so reassuring in your videos! Thanks again!:)

[jwcrowson]

Grad Coach, Thank you for the excellent questions and answers assistance. I fully passed my dissertation defense yesterday and a few of these questions were asked during the Q&A time. Because I watched this video, I was better prepared and answered all questions masterfully. Again, thank you, Dr. James Crowson 😃

[shal]

My defense is in a few hours, how did you know?! Thank you for this timely video!

[badfox]

This analysis makes complete sense to me. Thank you so much for relating it in a low key unfussy way. I am really grateful. Wish me luck for my viva!!!

[aminbawazir]

I think both gentlemen described the part related to the discussion in a good and clear way. They are focused on the way they bring the answers to many researchers who have no experience in constructing their discussion. Thank you very much.

[mehrgheyriis]

Tommorow i have my defense and you uploaded this at the very right time😊.thanks