What does oral defence look like? Although the format and roles may vary from institution to institution and from advisor to advisor, most follow common procedures.

Here is a scenario that represents a typical oral defence:

1. You arrive about 30 minutes early to arrange the room properly.

2. Your advisor facilitates the meeting, usually opening with introductions. He or she introduces committee members, guests and the outside reader. You then introduce any family or friends who are present.

3. Your advisor explains the purpose of oral defence and procedures to be followed in conducting a defence. Keep in your mind that your advisor is an ally to you and is in your corner at defence.

4. You are asked to provide a brief overview of your study-not more than 5 to 15 minutes. The overview should include the following:

• The purpose of your study and research questions
• What literature did you found particularly helpful
• The methodology used (Include the population and sample, your instruments, and your process for data collection and analysis. Also include the rationale for selecting your sample and method of analysis.)
• Major finding and conclusions from the findings
• Recommendations you would make for action and further research

It’s a good idea to present the summary without numerous notes. If PowerPoint presentations are used, keep the number of slides to a minimum. Just talk to the committee about your study.

Also Read: Why Pilot Questionnaires? Reliability and Validity Testing for PhD Research

5. Who asks the first question is a matter of advisor preference. Members of the committee ask their questions either randomly or systematically chapter by chapter. Committee members should limit their discussion of substance and special concerns rather than those relating to editorial issues. These may be provided at the end of the defence.

6. When committee members have finished with their questions, it is appropriate that visitors are invited to ask questions if they desire. This is a public oral defence. When there are no further questions, you and all visitors exit the room to allow the time for the committee to deliberate and decide if you successfully defended and if your dissertation document is acceptable. A unanimous vote of all committee members is usually required to pass the oral defence.

7. The committee decides among the following:

• Pass with no revisions
• Pass with minor revisions( completed with the advisor’s guidance)
• Pass with major revisions(final approval by the committee)
• Continue with an oral defence
• Fail

What is the difference between minor and major revisions? Minor revisions are those changes that require no substantial rewriting. Examples include updating the bibliography, correcting tables adding more conclusions or recommendations, and correcting typographical and grammatical errors. Most minor revisions can be completed in a weekend, or a week at most. Major revisions are those involving a substantial rewrite of particular sections. Major errors may be incorrect statistics, inconsistency between the research questions and finding, an outdated literature review, poor instrumentation, or lack of adequate data.

8. You and the visitor’s return. If you pass the oral defence, you receive hearty congratulations by all. You will remember that moment of supreme bliss when your advisor shakes your hand and says, ‘Congratulations, Dr.___,” As you reflect on your journey’s experiences, you can probably relate to these words:” Being a graduate student is like becoming all of the seven dwarves.