*Common Questions During Oral Defence*
During a PhD/Masters oral defense, an external examiner may ask a variety of
questions to assess your understanding of the research topic, methodology, findings,
and overall contribution to the field. The specific questions can vary depending on your
research area and the interests of the examiner.
However, here are some common types of questions that an external examiner might
ask during a PhD/Masters oral defense:
*Background and Motivation:*
1. What is the significance of your research topic?
2. Why did you choose this particular research area?
3. How does your research contribute to existing knowledge in the field?
*Related Work and Literature Review:*
1. Can you summarize the key literature and studies related to your research?
2. How does your research build upon or differ from previous work?
3. Are there any controversies or debates in the literature that relate to your research?
*Research Design and Methodology:*
1. Can you explain the rationale behind your chosen research methodology?
2. What were the strengths and limitations of your research design?
3. Did you consider any alternative methodologies? If so, why did you choose the one
you used?
*Data Collection and Analysis:*
1. How did you collect your data?
2. Were there any challenges involved?
3. What statistical or qualitative analysis techniques did you use?
4.How did you ensure the validity and reliability of your findings?
*Results and Interpretation:*
1.What were the key findings of your research?
2. How do your findings align with existing theories or literature in the field?
3. Are there any unexpected or contradictory results, and how do you explain them?
*Contribution and Implications:*
1. What are the main contributions of your research to the field?
2. How does your work address any existing gaps or limitations in the literature?
3. What are the potential practical applications or implications of your findings?
*Critical Thinking and Reflection:*
1. What are the main strengths and weaknesses of your research?
2. Are there any aspects of your research that you would have done differently?
3. What are the next steps or future directions for your research?
*Presentation and Communication:*
1. Can you effectively communicate your research to a non-specialist audience?
2. Did you encounter any challenges in presenting your research in a clear and concise
manner?
3. How did you address any questions or feedback from your peers or colleagues?
Remember that these questions are meant to assess your knowledge, critical thinking
abilities, and understanding of your research. It's essential to be prepared and confident
in explaining your research process and findings. Additionally, expect some questions
specific to your research area or any unique aspects of your study.
Good morning.