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Ace Your Thesis Defense: Proven Techniques To Defend Your Thesis

You’ve done the research, written the thesis, and now it’s time to defend your hard work in what could be the most significant academic presentation of your life.

Nervous? Don’t be.

This blog is designed to give you the insider tips and techniques that can help you sail through your thesis defense like a pro. 

Whether you’re working towards a master’s or a Ph.D., understanding the nuances of a thesis defense can make all the difference.

Read on to find out how to prepare, what to expect, and how to impress your committee. With this guide, you’ll not only be well-prepared but may actually find yourself enjoying the experience.

What is a Thesis Defense?

A thesis defense is the culminating event in a graduate student’s academic journey, often compared to the “final boss” in a video game.

However, contrary to popular anxiety-inducing belief, it’s not a test; it’s more akin to a scholarly discussion.

After years of research and writing, students present their thesis to a committee made up of subject matter experts.

The purpose is to demonstrate expertise, defend research choices, and prove that they have made a contribution to their field.

What Does a Thesis Defense Look Like?

 Students should expect to give an initial presentation, followed by a Q&A session where committee members probe further. It can go on for up to 3+ hours. 

Typically there are external experts in a particular field who have read the thesis and have now attended your university to watch your presentation and ask you questions about it. It can be done in a public forum or privately in a closed room.

Expect queries that dig into your methodology, specific results, and how your work advances the current body of knowledge.

Once you have answered the questions the candidate is often asked to leave the room while the experts deliberate – it can be quite an anxious wait. 

Top tips from PhDs for a thesis defence – FAQs

• Read Your Thesis Again : Even if you think you’ve completed your thesis, allocate time to read it again to refresh your memory.
• Prepare for Open-Ended Questions : Your committee will ask questions that are usually open-ended and require deep understanding. Prepare answers in advance.
• Know the Purpose : Understand that the purpose of a thesis defense is to prove you’re an expert in your field, not to interrogate you.
• Conduct a Q&A Session : Practice a question and answer session with your advisor or a professor to prepare for possible questions.
• Time Management : Be aware that the length for a thesis defense can vary. Some may take only 20 minutes, so focus on main points.
• Public Speaking : Use this as a chance to hone your public speaking skills. Many graduate degree programs require an oral defense or practicum.
• Committee Members : Know who is on your committee and what they specialize in to anticipate the types of questions they might ask.
• Consult Your Advisor : Your advisor can give you an overview of what to expect, helping you feel more confident.
• Be Ready for Formalities : Realize that the defense is a formal academic formality; it’s not only a presentation but also an evaluation of your ability to think critically.
• Understand the Evaluation : Your defense isn’t just about defending a thesis; it’s also about showing you can contribute to the existing body of knowledge in your graduate program.
• Prepare for Varied Questions : Questions may cover everything from your thesis topic to your research methods, so be prepared for a wide range.
• Think of It as a Job Interview : Like a job interview, your thesis defense gives you a chance to show your expertise. Be as prepared as possible.

How to Prepare for Your Thesis Defense

When it comes to prepping for your thesis defense, organization and mindset are crucial.

Sure, you’ve spent months, if not years, researching and writing your thesis, but now it’s time to defend it in front of your committee. One insider tip is to treat the defense as a “discussion,” not a “test.” Your thesis committee is there to engage in an academic conversation with you; they’re not looking to trip you up.

One golden nugget of advice is to print out a copy of your thesis, but not just any printout will do.

Create a “defense-friendly” format, complete with tabs marking significant sections and even color-coding if you’re a visual person.

The point is to make the document easy to navigate during the defense when your committee members ask questions you need to address promptly.

Beyond having the thesis itself in hand, go the extra mile and print out five or fewer key pages that may be the subject of focused discussion.

This can include graphs or data that didn’t make it into the final thesis but could still be relevant. For instance, one student printed out a large-scale version of a critical diagram from their thesis and had it ready when committee members inevitably asked about it.

The committee was impressed, and it made for a smoother defense.

To prepare, make sure you’ve allotted sufficient time for the process—ten days is a good benchmark. Take one day to review your thesis in its entirety and then a few days for each chapter. Revisit literature, anticipate questions, and try to see your work from the committee’s perspective.

Make use of prep templates available online, which can help you consider your thesis’ different parts in-depth. So when D-Day comes, you’re not just prepared; you’re defense-ready.

My Experience with a Thesis Defense

When it came time for my thesis defense, I was a bundle of nerves despite having practiced extensively.

I had simulated the entire defense multiple times with friends and even consulted my advisor for last-minute tips. To my surprise, the questions posed by the committee weren’t as hard as I had anticipated.

They seemed to flow naturally from the work I had done, and my extensive preparation made it easier to respond confidently. The time during the defense passed more quickly than I had imagined, adding to the sense of flow.

What was unexpected was how much I actually enjoyed the experience. 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. It’s the culmination of your hard work, the moment you demonstrate that you’ve written a good thesis and are ready to join the ranks of the experts in your field. For many students, the experience can be nerve-wracking, but as you’ve seen in this blog, it doesn’t have to be. 

From understanding the type of thesis defense questions you may encounter to gaining insights into the formalities involved, you now have the tools to prepare for a thesis defense effectively. The aim is not just to survive but to thrive, turning your defense into an enlightening academic conversation.

Your defense is more than just a hurdle to overcome; it’s an opportunity to showcase your research, your understanding, and your ability to contribute to your field. You’ve spent years preparing for this moment—take the time to prepare a little more, and the experience could be rewarding in ways you never expected.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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Thesis Defense: 10 Tips That Are Proven to Work

The thesis defense is a significant event in a graduate student’s journey towards getting a higher degree. Many students find this occasion daunting. But this need not be an unpleasant experience as there are ways to get rid of that uneasy feeling on that momentous day.

What preparations do you need to make your thesis defense a success? This article describes 10 tips that will give you the confidence that you need and prepare for the thesis defense adequately.

Table of Contents

Know the members of the panel in the thesis defense.

If possible, know the members of your panel, their habits, and personalities. It would be great if another graduate student had experience with those panel members to tell you how to respond to their questions.

Anticipate the questions

Example questions, dress in dark colors.

Color is an essential factor of impact. You will appear intelligent and credible if you wear black or similar color. It would help if you looked authoritative as someone who is thoroughly familiar with the topic during the thesis defense.

Get plenty of rest before your presentation

It would help if you looked confident and energetic during the thesis defense. Get enough sleep before the day of the presentation to sustain your energy while facing the panel of examiners.

Highlight the important findings of your study

Use a few (3-5) bulleted short phrases in each slide during the thesis defense. Emphasize the point using a figure, statistics, or graphics that complement the idea [Additional tip: Show updated (with the last three to five years) statistics].

Talk at moderate speed

Directly answer the question then expound a little.

Don’t beat around the bush. Go straight to the answer. Be honest if the question is not within the scope of your study. State its limitations. There will always be vague areas, but present the contribution of your research. Refer to the scope and delimitations and recommendations of your study. Ask for clarification if the question is not clear. Make sure that you address the issue of the panel.

Be thoroughly familiar with the literature that you have cited

Make sure that you are thoroughly familiar with the literature that you have cited during the thesis defense. Remember the highlights or findings of those studies as well as the limitations.

Be grateful

Always remember the one-to-one correspondence.

Ensure that for every objective that you mentioned, you have ready answers or pieces of evidence to show that you fulfilled those objectives. There should be a one-to-one correspondence in the Objectives –> Method –> Results and Discussion (includes corresponding tables or figures for each objective with explanations) –> Conclusion sections. You may prepare a matrix for each objective with the following columns for method, results and discussion, and conclusion/s.

©2020 August 9 P. A. Regoniel

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How to prepare an excellent thesis defense

What is a thesis defense?

How long is a thesis defense, what happens at a thesis defense, your presentation, questions from the committee, 6 tips to help you prepare for your thesis defense, 1. anticipate questions and prepare for them, 2. dress for success, 3. ask for help, as needed, 4. have a backup plan, 5. prepare for the possibility that you might not know an answer, 6. de-stress before, during, and after, frequently asked questions about preparing an excellent thesis defense, related articles.

If you're about to complete, or have ever completed a graduate degree, you have most likely come across the term "thesis defense." In many countries, to finish a graduate degree, you have to write a thesis .

A thesis is a large paper, or multi-chapter work, based on a topic relating to your field of study.

Once you hand in your thesis, you will be assigned a date to defend your work. Your thesis defense meeting usually consists of you and a committee of two or more professors working in your program. It may also include other people, like professionals from other colleges or those who are working in your field.

During your thesis defense, you will be asked questions about your work. The main purpose of your thesis defense is for the committee to make sure that you actually understand your field and focus area.

The questions are usually open-ended and require the student to think critically about their work. By the time of your thesis defense, your paper has already been evaluated. The questions asked are not designed so that you actually have to aggressively "defend" your work; often, your thesis defense is more of a formality required so that you can get your degree.

• 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.

How long your oral thesis defense is depends largely on the institution and requirements of your degree. It is best to consult your department or institution about this. In general, a thesis defense may take only 20 minutes, but it may also take two hours or more. The length also depends on how much time is allocated to the presentation and questioning part.

Tip: Check with your department or institution as soon as possible to determine the approved length for a thesis defense.

First of all, be aware that a thesis defense varies from country to country. This is just a general overview, but a thesis defense can take many different formats. Some are closed, others are public defenses. Some take place with two committee members, some with more examiners.

The same goes for the length of your thesis defense, as mentioned above. The most important first step for you is to clarify with your department what the structure of your thesis defense will look like. In general, your thesis defense will include:

• your presentation of around 20-30 minutes
• questions from the committee
• questions from the audience (if the defense is public and the department allows it)

You might have to give a presentation, often with Powerpoint, Google slides, or Keynote slides. Make sure to prepare an appropriate amount of slides. A general rule is to use about 10 slides for a 20-minute presentation.

But that also depends on your specific topic and the way you present. The good news is that there will be plenty of time ahead of your thesis defense to prepare your slides and practice your presentation alone and in front of friends or family.

Tip: Practice delivering your thesis presentation in front of family, friends, or colleagues.

You can prepare your slides by using information from your thesis' first chapter (the overview of your thesis) as a framework or outline. Substantive information in your thesis should correspond with your slides.

Make sure your slides are of good quality— both in terms of the integrity of the information and the appearance. If you need more help with how to prepare your presentation slides, both the ASQ Higher Education Brief and James Hayton have good guidelines on the topic.

The committee will ask questions about your work after you finish your presentation. The questions will most likely be about the core content of your thesis, such as what you learned from the study you conducted. They may also ask you to summarize certain findings and to discuss how your work will contribute to the existing body of knowledge.

Tip: Read your entire thesis in preparation of the questions, so you have a refreshed perspective on your work.

While you are preparing, you can create a list of possible questions and try to answer them. You can foresee many of the questions you will get by simply spending some time rereading your thesis.

Here are a few tips on how to prepare for your thesis defense:

You can absolutely prepare for most of the questions you will be asked. Read through your thesis and while you're reading it, create a list of possible questions. In addition, since you will know who will be on the committee, look at the academic expertise of the committee members. In what areas would they most likely be focused?

If possible, sit at other thesis defenses with these committee members to get a feel for how they ask and what they ask. As a graduate student, you should generally be adept at anticipating test questions, so use this advantage to gather as much information as possible before your thesis defense meeting.

Your thesis defense is a formal event, often the entire department or university is invited to participate. It signals a critical rite of passage for graduate students and faculty who have supported them throughout a long and challenging process.

While most universities don't have specific rules on how to dress for that event, do regard it with dignity and respect. This one might be a no-brainer, but know that you should dress as if you were on a job interview or delivering a paper at a conference.

It might help you deal with your stress before your thesis defense to entrust someone with the smaller but important responsibilities of your defense well ahead of schedule. This trusted person could be responsible for:

• preparing the room of the day of defense
• setting up equipment for the presentation
• preparing and distributing handouts

Technology is unpredictable. Life is too. There are no guarantees that your Powerpoint presentation will work at all or look the way it is supposed to on the big screen. We've all been there. Make sure to have a plan B for these situations. Handouts can help when technology fails, and an additional clean shirt can save the day if you have a spill.

One of the scariest aspects of the defense is the possibility of being asked a question you can't answer. While you can prepare for some questions, you can never know exactly what the committee will ask.

There will always be gaps in your knowledge. But your thesis defense is not about being perfect and knowing everything, it's about how you deal with challenging situations. You are not expected to know everything.

James Hayton writes on his blog that examiners will sometimes even ask questions they don't know the answer to, out of curiosity, or because they want to see how you think. While it is ok sometimes to just say "I don't know", he advises to try something like "I don't know, but I would think [...] because of x and y, but you would need to do [...] in order to find out.” This shows that you have the ability to think as an academic.

You will be nervous. But your examiners will expect you to be nervous. Being well prepared can help minimize your stress, but do know that your examiners have seen this many times before and are willing to help, by repeating questions, for example. Dora Farkas at finishyourthesis.com notes that it’s a myth that thesis committees are out to get you.

Two common symptoms of being nervous are talking really fast and nervous laughs. Try to slow yourself down and take a deep breath. Remember what feels like hours to you are just a few seconds in real life.

• Try meditational breathing right before your defense.
• Get plenty of exercise and sleep in the weeks prior to your defense.
• Have your clothes or other items you need ready to go the night before.
• During your defense, allow yourself to process each question before answering.
• Go to dinner with friends and family, or to a fun activity like mini-golf, after your defense.

Allow yourself to process each question, respond to it, and stop talking once you have responded. While a smile can often help dissolve a difficult situation, remember that nervous laughs can be irritating for your audience.

We all make mistakes and your thesis defense will not be perfect. However, careful preparation, mindfulness, and confidence can help you feel less stressful both before, and during, your defense.

Finally, consider planning something fun that you can look forward to after your defense.

It is completely normal to be nervous. Being well prepared can help minimize your stress, but do know that your examiners have seen this many times before and are willing to help, by repeating questions for example if needed. Slow yourself down, and take a deep breath.

Your thesis defense is not about being perfect and knowing everything, it's about how you deal with challenging situations. James Hayton writes on his blog that it is ok sometimes to just say "I don't know", but he advises to try something like "I don't know, but I would think [...] because of x and y, you would need to do [...] in order to find out".

Your Powerpoint presentation can get stuck or not look the way it is supposed to do on the big screen. It can happen and your supervisors know it. In general, handouts can always save the day when technology fails.

• Dress for success.
• Ask for help setting up.
• Have a backup plan (in case technology fails you).
• Deal with your nerves.

• Graduate School

How to Prepare for a Thesis Defense

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.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free initial consultation here <<

Article Contents 12 min read

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.

Know the Big Picture: What Are You Trying to Prove?

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.

Know Your Secondary Sources

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.

Sun Tzu Was Right

“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.

A Baptism of Fire, and How to Avoid 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.

Before the Day - What to Get Ready

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:

On the Day - Mental and Anxiety Control

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.

Prevention is the Best Cure

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.

Long-term Stress Management

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.

Physical Health IS Mental Health

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.

Remember Step One...

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.

Concentrate on the Next 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.

Fix Mistakes with No Fanfare

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.

How to Stay Calm, Generally

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.

A Final Tip on Courtesy

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.

What Does a Thesis Defense Look Like?

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.

Common Types of Questions and How to Respond

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.

Probing Questions

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.

Data Clarification

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.

Opposing Viewpoint and Supporting Data

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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10 Tips to Prepare For Your Thesis Defense

Master your thesis defense with confidence! Discover 10 essential tips for graduate students to prepare and succeed in their final oral exam.

Amethyst Rayne

Jun 12, 2024

Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

Completing a graduate degree is no small feat. Years of dedication, research, and study culminate in the final hurdle: the thesis defense. For many graduate students, facing a panel of seasoned academics to defend their work is both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. In this blog, we offer 10 concise yet invaluable tips to help graduate students navigate this crucial stage with confidence and success. From early preparation to embracing opportunities for growth, let this guide be your roadmap to triumph in your thesis defense.

1. Start Early: Lay the Foundation for Success

• Begin by setting up a timeline outlining key milestones leading up to your defense.
• Allocate time for revising your thesis, scheduling mock defenses, and finalizing presentation slides.
• Starting early allows you to address unexpected challenges and ensure thorough preparation.
• Familiarize yourself with the defense format and requirements set by your department or institution .
• Create a checklist of tasks to complete before the defense, such as submitting paperwork and distributing copies of your thesis to committee members.
• Set realistic goals and deadlines for each stage of preparation to avoid last-minute stress.
• Communicate with your supervisor and committee members to ensure they are aware of your progress and can provide timely feedback.
• Take care of your physical and mental well-being by maintaining a healthy work-life balance, getting enough rest, and engaging in stress-reducing activities.
• Seek guidance from peers or mentors who have successfully defended their theses to gain valuable insights and advice.
• Begin drafting and refining your presentation slides well in advance to allow ample time for revisions and improvements.

2. Know Your Thesis Inside Out: Be the Expert in Your Field

• Thoroughly review your thesis, understanding every aspect from research questions to conclusions.
• Understand the format and expectations of your dissertation defense to ensure you are fully prepared for the oral defense.
• Anticipate potential questions from thesis committees and develop thoughtful responses. Remember, thesis committees are understanding of your nervousness and are there to provide support, not to be adversarial.
• Seek feedback from your advisor or peers to identify areas for improvement.
• Be prepared to discuss the significance and novelty of your research, and how it contributes to your field of study.
• Familiarize yourself with the key literature in your research location and be ready to discuss how your work builds upon or differs from previous studies.
• Practice explaining complex concepts in your thesis using clear and concise language, making it accessible to both experts and non-experts in your field.
• Be honest about the limitations of your study and demonstrate your ability to critically analyze your own work.
• Prepare examples or anecdotes that illustrate the real-world applications or implications of your research findings.
• Anticipate repeating questions about your methodology, data analysis and interpretation of results, and be ready to justify your choices.
• Demonstrate your passion for your research topic and your commitment to advancing knowledge in your field.
• Be open to constructive feedback and show a willingness to engage in scholarly discussions during the defense.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice: Perfect Your Presentation Skills

• Conduct mock defenses to simulate the actual defense experience and receive feedback. Practice for the final oral exam by seeking advice from alumni who have successfully defended their PhD thesis in public health.
• Refine delivery, body language, and pacing to convey confidence and professionalism.
• Practice incorporating visual aids seamlessly into your presentation to enhance clarity.
• Record yourself presenting and critically evaluate your performance to identify areas for improvement.
• Seek opportunities to present your research at departmental seminars, conferences, or workshops to gain experience and build confidence.
• Practice active listening during the question and answer session, taking a moment to consider each question before responding thoughtfully.
• Anticipate potential challenges, such as technical difficulties or tough questions, and develop strategies to handle them gracefully.
• Engage in deep breathing exercises or meditation to manage anxiety and maintain focus during the presentation.
• Practice maintaining eye contact with your audience and using appropriate gestures to engage them and convey enthusiasm for your work.
• Seek feedback from a diverse group of people, including those outside your field, to ensure your presentation is accessible and engaging to a broad audience.
• Develop a backup plan in case of unexpected issues, such as having a printed copy of your slides or notes in case of technical failures.
• Practice adapting your presentation style to different formats, such as virtual defenses or in-person presentations, depending on the current circumstances.

Easily pronounces technical words in any field

4. Anticipate Questions: Prepare Responses in Advance for Your Thesis Defense

• Brainstorm potential questions based on research questions, methodology, and findings, and practice answering questions effectively for your PhD thesis defense.
• Attend other thesis defenses to understand the types of questions that may be asked and to gather insights on how to respond effectively.
• Develop concise, articulate responses that showcase depth of knowledge and understanding.
• Seek input from advisors or peers to identify areas of potential challenge and prepare evidence to support arguments.
• Review your thesis with a critical eye and identify areas that may raise questions or require further clarification.
• Prepare a list of anticipated questions and draft responses, focusing on the key aspects of your research, such as its significance, limitations, and future implications.
• Practice responding to questions in a clear, confident, and concise manner, avoiding jargon or overly technical language.
• Be prepared to discuss the choices you made throughout the research process, such as your methodology, data analysis techniques, and interpretation of results.
• Anticipate questions that challenge your assumptions or conclusions, and prepare thoughtful, evidence-based responses that demonstrate your ability to think critically about your work.
• Consider potential questions that may arise from recent developments or debates in your field, and be ready to discuss how your research contributes to these conversations.
• Prepare examples or anecdotes that illustrate the real-world applications or implications of your findings, as committee members may ask about the broader impact of your work.
• Remember that it’s okay to admit if you don’t know the answer to a question; use it as an opportunity to discuss how you would approach finding the answer or address the limitation in future research.

Prepare Visual Aids: Enhance Your Thesis Presentation with Presentation Slides

Photo by Jason Goodman on Unsplash

• Utilize tools like Google Slides or PowerPoint to create visually appealing slides for your thesis presentation.
• Focus on simplicity and clarity, using graphs, charts, and images to illustrate key points.
• Practice incorporating slides into your presentation to enhance engagement and comprehension.
• Ensure that your slides are legible and easy to read, using appropriate font sizes, colors, and contrasts.
• Use a consistent theme throughout your presentation to create a cohesive and professional look.
• Limit the amount of text on each slide, using bullet points or short phrases to highlight key information and avoid overwhelming your audience.
• Incorporate relevant and high-quality images, such as graphs, charts, or photographs, to illustrate complex concepts or provide visual evidence for your arguments.
• Use animations and transitions sparingly and purposefully, ensuring they enhance rather than distract from your content.
• Practice timing your slides to coincide with your spoken presentation, ensuring a smooth and seamless delivery.
• Consider including backup slides with additional information or examples to address potential questions or provide further clarification if needed.
• Test your slides on different devices and platforms to ensure compatibility and avoid technical issues during your presentation.
• Seek feedback from your advisor or peers on the effectiveness and clarity of your visual aids, and make revisions as necessary.
• Provide handouts or copies of your slides to your committee members for reference during the question and answer session.

6. Dress and Act Professionally: Make a Positive Impression

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• Choose attire that is professional and appropriate for the occasion.
• Maintain eye contact, speak clearly, and demonstrate confidence in your knowledge and abilities.
• Adhere to academic norms of conduct to convey respect for the defense process.
• Dress in business or business-casual attires that is comfortable and allows you to move and speak with ease.
• Ensure your clothing is clean, pressed, and free of any distracting patterns or colors.
• Pay attention to grooming, ensuring your hair is neat and styled appropriately and your nails are clean and well-manicured.
• Arrive early to the defense location to allow time for setup and to compose yourself before the presentation begins.
• Greet your committee members and other attendees with a smile, a firm handshake, and a confident demeanor.
• Maintain good posture throughout your presentation, standing up straight and using appropriate gestures to convey engagement and enthusiasm.
• Speak at a measured pace, enunciating clearly and projecting your voice to ensure all attendees can hear and understand your presentation.
• Use appropriate language and avoid slang or overly casual expressions, maintaining a professional tone throughout the defense.
• Demonstrate active listening during the question and answer session, maintaining eye contact with the person asking the question and responding thoughtfully and respectfully.
• Accept feedback and constructive criticism graciously, thanking your committee members for their insights and suggestions.
• Remember to smile and convey your passion for your research, as your enthusiasm can be contagious and create a positive atmosphere during the defense.

7. Manage Your Time: Pace Yourself During the Presentation

• Outline key points and allocate time for each section to ensure coverage within the time limit.
• Practice delivering your presentation while maintaining a logical flow and engaging the audience.
• Stay focused and avoid rushing through material to ensure clarity and comprehension.
• Familiarize yourself with the time constraints for your presentation and plan accordingly, leaving ample time for the question and answer session.
• Create a detailed timeline for your presentation, assigning specific amounts of time to each section, such as the introduction, methods, results, and conclusion.
• Practice your presentation multiple times, timing yourself to ensure you can comfortably cover all the material within the allotted time.
• Consider using a timer or clock to keep track of your progress during the actual presentation, ensuring you stay on schedule.
• Be prepared to adapt your presentation if necessary, such as skipping less essential details or elaborating on key points, depending on the time available.
• Use transitions effectively to move smoothly between sections of your presentation, maintaining a logical flow and keeping your audience engaged.
• Avoid rushing through your presentation or speaking too quickly, as this can make it difficult for your audience to follow and comprehend your key points.
• Allow time for brief pauses between sections or after important points, giving your audience a moment to process the information and formulate questions.
• Be mindful of the time during the question and answer session, providing concise and focused responses to ensure all committee members have an opportunity to ask questions.
• Practice active time management during mock defenses or other presentations to build your skills and confidence in pacing yourself effectively.

8. Stay Calm and Confident: Embrace the Challenge

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• Practice meditational breathing techniques to manage nerves and maintain composure.
• Remind yourself of your preparation and expertise in your research area.
• Approach the defense with a positive mindset, focusing on one point at a time.
• Engage in relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation or visualization exercises, in the days leading up to the defense to help reduce anxiety and increase feelings of calm.
• Get a good night's sleep before the defense, ensuring you are well-rested and mentally prepared for the challenge ahead.
• Eat a healthy, balanced meal before the defense to provide your brain and body with the necessary energy and nutrients to perform at your best.
• Arrive at the defense location early, giving yourself time to familiarize yourself with the space, set up your materials, and take a few moments to center yourself.
• Use positive self-talk to reinforce your confidence and remind yourself of your strengths, such as "I am well-prepared," "I am an expert in my field," or "I can handle any question that comes my way."
• Visualize yourself successfully navigating the defense, responding to questions with clarity and confidence, and receiving positive feedback from your committee.
• Focus on your breathing during the defense, taking slow, deep breaths to help regulate your heart rate and maintain a sense of calm.
• Remember that it's normal to feel nervous, and try to channel that energy into enthusiasm and passion for your research.
• If you feel overwhelmed or anxious during the defense, take a brief pause, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing before continuing.
• Celebrate your achievements and the hard work you've put into your research, recognizing that the defense is an opportunity to showcase your expertise and contributions to your field.

9. Be Ready for Anything: Adapt to Challenging Situations

• Stay flexible and adapt to unexpected challenges or changes during the defense.
• Take a moment to gather your thoughts before responding to difficult questions.
• Demonstrate resilience and professionalism in handling challenging situations.
• Anticipate potential technical issues and have backup plans in place, such as bringing extra copies of your presentation or having offline versions of your slides.
• If faced with a difficult or unexpected question, take a deep breath and pause to collect your thoughts before responding, ensuring you provide a clear and well-reasoned answer.
• Maintain a positive attitude and stay focused on your research, even if the defense takes an unexpected turn or you encounter a particularly challenging line of questioning.
• If you don't know the answer to a question, acknowledge it honestly and offer to follow up with the information after the defense or discuss how you would approach finding the answer.
• Stay open to constructive feedback and criticism, viewing it as an opportunity to strengthen your research and grow as a scholar.
• If a committee member's question or comment seems unclear, don't hesitate to ask for clarification or additional context to ensure you fully understand their point.
• Remember that your committee members are there to support your success, even if their questions or feedback seem challenging in the moment.
• If you encounter a significant obstacle or challenge during the defense, remain calm and focus on finding a solution, drawing on your problem-solving skills and the support of your advisor and committee.
• Practice stress-management techniques, such as deep breathing or positive self-talk, to help you stay centered and focused during challenging moments.
• Celebrate your resilience and adaptability after the defense, recognizing that your ability to handle unexpected challenges is a testament to your growth as a researcher and scholar.

10. Look to the Future: Embrace Opportunities for Growth

Photo by Kevin Turcios, Unsplash

• Reflect on feedback and insights gained from the defense to inform future research endeavors.
• Consider how you can further develop findings or explore new research questions.
• Celebrate accomplishments and embrace the exciting possibilities that lie ahead in your academic or professional journey.
• Take time to process the feedback and suggestions provided by your committee members, identifying key takeaways and areas for improvement in your research.
• Consider how you can incorporate the insights gained from the defense into your future research projects, using the experience to refine your skills and approach.
• Explore potential avenues for expanding upon your current findings, such as conducting follow-up studies or collaborating with other researchers in your field.
• Identify new research questions or focus area of inquiry that emerged during the defense, and consider how you might pursue these in your future academic or professional work.
• Reflect on the personal and professional growth you experienced throughout the thesis defense process, recognizing the skills and knowledge you gained along the way.
• Celebrate your achievements and the successful completion of your thesis defense, taking a moment to appreciate the hard work and dedication that brought you to this point.
• Share your success with your support network, including family, friends, and colleagues, acknowledging their role in your journey and expressing gratitude for their support.
• Look ahead to the next steps in your academic or professional career, whether that involves pursuing further education, seeking employment opportunities, or embarking on new research projects.
• Embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, knowing that the skills, knowledge, and resilience you developed during the thesis defense process will serve you well in your future endeavors.
• Continue to seek opportunities for growth and learning, staying engaged with developments in your field and remaining open to new ideas and perspectives.

Preparing for your thesis defense requires careful preparation, practice, and confidence. By following these 10 tips and approaching the defense with a structured plan and positive mindset, you can navigate this final step of your graduate journey successfully. Remember, your thesis defense is not just an evaluation of your work but also a celebration of your achievements and a gateway to new opportunities for growth and advancement.

Presentation Skills

Thesis Preparation

Defense Preparation

Thesis Defense

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Dissertation Defense: Steps To Follow To Succeed

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.

What is A Dissertation Defense?

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.

Stages of a Dissertation Defense

One of the most important dissertation defense tips provided by several professors is to breakdown the process into three steps:

• Preparation : This stage involves collection of all the necessary information that must be included in the defense dissertation and making all the arrangements for the actual meeting.
• The defense meeting : This is where you decide how you will present the defense. The actual meeting is hugely reliant on the performance, body language and the confidence in your oral defense.
• After the defense meeting : This stage, also known as the follow up, requires you to make the necessary revisions suggested by the university committee. You can even provide bound copies of the whole dissertation to distribute among different members of your departments. In the follow up stage, one must also think about expense that are related to publishing the Ph.D. dissertation defense as well as printing additional copies of the manuscript, if required.

How Long is a Dissertation Defense?

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.

How to Prepare for the Dissertation Defense

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:

• Watch other students in action to learn about different presentation styles. You can attend defenses of different colleagues in your department as well as other departments in your university.
• Get all the details about the deadlines and the rules of your college or university about scheduling your defense.
• Scheduling is also a very important part of your preparation. It is important to note that members of the committee and University chairs need to make time for these defences in a very packed schedule. Coordinate the date, venue and time of your defense as early as possible.
• Prepare a manuscript adhering to the necessary formatting rules. Review your manuscript thoroughly before you hand it in. During your PH.D, your faculty will also assist you with the defense. For this, they must have a crisp and polished copy of your manuscript.
• Most colleges have the facility for a pre-defense meeting. This is the best opportunity to sort out any concerns that you may have about the actual meeting. It is a good idea to ask the chairs what types of questions may be put forward and if there are any problems with the defense that need to be resolved. When you prepare for a pre-defense meeting, think of it as the final one and give it your all.
• Put together all the material that you need for the defense. A detailed, yet to-the-point presentation must be prepared.
• The final stage of preparation is practicing your presentation over and over again. It is not just the presentation but also the approach towards the questions that you must practice.

Tips To Nail Your Actual Meeting

With these tips you will be one step closer towards a successful defense that will help your dissertation pass and be approved:

• All meetings should begin by addressing the chair. Make sure you thank all the committee members and the advisors for the efforts that they have put it. This gives you a professional start to the presentation.
• The presentation should cover the following subjects in brief:
• The research topic
• Literature review
• The methods used for analysis
• The primary findings of the research
• Recommendations of additional research on the subject in the focus.
• Do not get rattled by any discussions among the chairs. They will deliberate on any disagreements or topics of interest. This is a part of the process and is not a reflection of the presentation itself.
• There are two questions that are commonly asked that you should be prepared for. This includes the weaknesses of the dissertation and the research plans that you have made post-dissertation.
• Use subtle gestures when you are talking. Do not overuse your hands when doing so. The whole meeting including the question and answer session should have a very formal appeal.
• The tone of your voice must be assertive without making it seem like you are trying to hard. Be clear and enunciate when you speak.

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.

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Trapped in dissertation revisions?

Preparing for your dissertation defense, published by steve tippins on april 4, 2019 april 4, 2019.

Last Updated on: 30th August 2022, 04:43 am

Preparing for your dissertation defense is one of the most important things you’ll do as a doctoral candidate. Now that you’ve completed your dissertation, it’s up to you to present the results to your committee.

However, the results aren’t just about your study. Your committee wants to see what you learned through the process and whether you are ready to take on the responsibility of being a scholar.

What is a Dissertation Defense?

When you finish your dissertation and your committee has said you are ready to move forward, there is a formal meeting–your dissertation defense–where you have the opportunity to explain what you did and what you found.

Your committee then has the opportunity to ask questions related to your work, the implications of what you found, and your future. It is a chance for you to stand before your peers and be welcomed into the academy. Defending your dissertation is one of the great rites of passage into the world of academia.

How to Prepare for Your Dissertation Defense

Rather than write a quick list of dissertation defense tips, I thought I’d create a comprehensive guide to defending your dissertation. After chairing and sitting on countless dissertation committees, these are the steps I recommend you take.

Cultivate The Right Attitude

Perhaps the most important thing to have as you prepare to defend your dissertation is a revised view of your academic self. You’ve spent years gaining knowledge on your chosen subject, and now is your time to shine. While it’s natural to be nervous — after all, you’re jumping the highest hurdle in academia — keep in mind that this is your moment to shine and that you are now an expert on the topic.

One way to look at the dissertation defense is as a rite of passage. You are being tested, and just as with any rite of passage, the more rigorous the test, the prouder you will be of making it through.

During the process of your defense, keep this in mind: your committee tests you not only to ensure your worthiness but also to enable you to see just how much you know; to step into your new role as “expert.”

Prepare For Your Committee’s Questions

With this attitude in mind, you will want to prepare to demonstrate your expertise. That means anticipating questions the committee may have about your research.

If your dissertation asserts the likelihood of a recession in the presence of particular economic indicators, your committee will want to know what socio-political conditions are linked to these indicators. If you found that high achieving students are more likely to have had parents who volunteered in their schools, your committee members will likely ask you to speculate about how to increase parent involvement in schools.

In other words, you’ll need to be able to participate in discourse beyond your results — questions that speak to the relevance and implications of your research.

This kind of preparation goes beyond creating a PowerPoint of your findings (though that is necessary too); it’s part of your stepping into your expert role.

One thing I always tell my students is “Be able to explain your topic to your grandparents,” because to elucidate someone who knows nothing about the topic (no offense to the grandparents!) you must know it inside and out.

Of course, you’ll also want to know your topic well enough to discuss the topic with the top researchers in the field, but at this stage, you’ll have read enough of their work that you’ll feel you know them personally. It’s usually more difficult for academics to simplify than to complicate.

To ready yourself for potential questions, give your abstract to a few friends outside your academic program and have them ask you questions about your study. The advantage is their “outsider” perspective; you’ll have fun answering their questions and will likely have to make a few new neuronal connections to do so. Practicing like this will also help you relax during the actual defense.

Here are some questions you may be asked during your dissertation defense :

• “What are the strengths and weaknesses of your study?”
• “What was the most surprising thing you found?”
• “What will you do next with your results?”
• “If you could do this over, what would you do differently?”

Organize Your Presentation

Keep in mind that your presentation to your committee can double as your presentation to the faculty at any university to which you apply; your preparation will serve a dual purpose. You’ll need, therefore:

• a concise overview of the literature in which your study is grounded,
• a clear description of your study’s purpose, methodology, and findings,
• and a discussion of the implications of these findings.

Naturally, you will need to consult your department’s and college’s specific requirements, but every dissertation committee (and faculty search committee) will want to fully understand these basic elements of your work.

I have provided a list of questions to help prepare your dissertation defense. If you have time restrictions I would put more emphasis upon your results and the implications of your work. Think of organizing your slides according to these questions:

1. Why did I choose to study this? Don’t be afraid to reveal something personal about your motivation, as long as you can do so with poise and dignity. Your committee members will appreciate this humanizing element but keep it brief!

2. What have other people interested in this topic found? If your study is the next clue in the hunt for answers about this topic, what were the clues that led you here? What paths have past researchers gone down — both fruitful and not? What solid theoretical foundation stands under your study?

This portion of your presentation is the easiest to overdo. You will likely need to edit it again and again to ensure it is both concise and comprehensive. Stick to the major themes in your presentation but be prepared to answer questions about less dominant streams of research.

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3. How did my research question evolve? Answering this question links your research to what has already been established, placing your study in the stream of knowledge. Keep it brief but don’t skip this step, as it is key to showing you as an academic, rather than a student.

4. How did I organize my study? This is a description of the basics of your study and the “whys” of these choices. You can expand a bit here, as the decisions you made at this stage demonstrate your ability to think critically about approaching a research question. Why did you choose your particular methodology? What was the benefit of this design over another option you might have chosen?

5. What did I find? You can begin this section with what you expected to find and why, then explain what you actually found. Keep this section simple and factual.

6. What do the findings mean in relation to the question? Whether or not your findings matched your expectations, they tell you and your colleagues something important about the topic. What is it? Can we speculate that this is a promising area of research, or is this a path we might think of as a dead end? What, exactly, does this study tell us?

7. What’s next for me and for the research? You’ll want to give your committee (and any faculty search committee) a preview of your prospective academic career. What new questions has your study sparked for you? What would you hope other researchers would look at next? How do you intend to fit into the academic conversation on this topic?

Depending on your committee and requirements, you may want to include potential grants you will consider applying for to fund your next study. (This inclusion becomes more important when applying for academic positions.)

Prepare Yourself Mentally

Going back to attitude, remind yourself that a dissertation defense is your opportunity to step into your new role. This is your domain now. Breathe deeply and feel the pride that comes with a job well done. Know that you belong in this realm and the dissertation defense is your chance to prove it. Be humble, too; after all, you stand on the shoulders of giants.

Getting enough rest the night before, drinking water and bringing some with you to drink when your mouth gets dry, and being wise about what you consume prior to the defense (maybe go easy on the carbs and caffeine) are all obvious but frequently overlooked pointers. Your committee members want to know you can handle the pressure and take care of yourself under duress .

You might want to give yourself a few minutes of silence and rest before heading in to defend. Take those moments to recognize whatever you’re feeling, then humbly begin your academic career by presenting your most important work to date. And then get ready to roll up your sleeves for the next one. Congratulations, Doctor!

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

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Is it appropriate to bring coffee and cookies to a PhD defense?

First of all, I've already asked my adviser about this, but I just want to see what is the overall idea of the community on this.

In Mexico it is usually required for the student to do this, but that is about the only place I have references of people doing defenses.

I was thinking of bringing bottled water, but since is the middle of the winter I thought coffee might be a better choice.

• 13 It may vary a lot with respect to countries, universities, departments etc. And the best place to ask is to people at your department. –  Piotr Migdal Commented Jan 16, 2013 at 11:40
• Remember: that food might change the outcome :): blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2011/04/11/… –  Suresh Commented Feb 24, 2013 at 5:41

10 Answers 10

How I have seen it handle in France: usually, no food and drinks is given out during the defense, except for a bottle of water and a glass who are set on table of each member of the defense committee. However, as you say, it may be cold outside and committee members may be glad for a hot drink and/or maybe something to eat (depending what time it is). So, it is quite customary for the thesis advisor(s) to actually invite the committee members to join him some time before the defense starts, where they can make small talk and drink coffee. If the defense starts early afternoon, they committee can even go to lunch together, giving them an opportunity to discuss practical stuff (who will chair the committee? what order will people talk in? etc.).

Then, after the defense is concluded, there is a celebratory “cocktail” (buffet and drinks) to which the defense committee is invited, and to which they usually attend at least for half an hour.

In mine, there are no conventions per se, but I've seen people get food ready for just after the defense. Since it's extremely rare to get to a defense and fail it, I'm not too concerned about the 'foregone conclusion' problem.

As others pointed out, the answer depends on the country, particular university, as well as local habits at the department.

Just to complete the international picture:

In Germany (at places I had an opportunity to observe), it was customary to provide a treat in a style of "wine & cheese" of course modified to local tastes (meat in Germany :-) ) including a glass of sparkling/normal wine (usually "Sekt"), but all that after the defense. People would normally order the food by a local butcher (many of which specialise in this kind of stuff as a side business).

The same would go for some Eastern European countries, like Czech Republic, or Slovakia.

In the Netherlands, at places I saw, there is often a small reception after the defense too.

As a grad student in the US the tradition in my department was that all meetings involved a snack (usually doughnuts for morning meetings and cookies for afternoon meetings) and coffee. The snacks and coffee were set out before the meeting started. Our thesis defenses included a public and a private portion. The snacks at defenses were sometimes a little fancier (if I recall correctly, I sprung for a $20 cheese and fruit platter and a couple bottles of fancy water). As a post doc in the US the meetings typically only involved coffee. I think this was because a number of faculty in the department had strict dietary requirements (e.g., a number of vegans and kosher people), but I am not sure. In my current department in the UK we never have snacks or drinks. I really miss it.

I would suggest you ask other people in your department what is the norm. If the norm is not to bring snacks and drinks, think if you want to start a new tradition: everybody likes cookies/biscuits.

I think it's highly country-dependent. In Italy, it is normal to offer food after defending a thesis (not only phd, also bachelor and master), either directly on the place or by taking all the friends attending to a bar after the defense. Sometimes the university itself even offers a small part of the refreshment.

Often there is enough food that you can skip your lunch (if it's in the morning).

If you find it weird to bring coffee and cookies to the defense, you can simply move to a bar, a common room or another place to celebrate.

Another variant:

My defense (UK) was informal, but very much an examination and as such there was no food or drink. However in the evening my supervisor invited myself and my examiners to a restaurant (not sure what would've happened if I hadn't passed!).

I have also heard of situations where the examination was particularly long and the examiners and candidate broke for lunch and came back - again there was no repast in the examination room.

• 3 This is all standard for the UK. Part of the point is that some other systems will not let you have a defense unless you are almost guaranteed to pass, but in the UK it is a genuine hurdle. –  Neil Strickland Commented Sep 11, 2014 at 9:58
• @NeilStrickland, indeed as a case in point, the Graduate School ran a course on preparing for your Viva, to help allay fears etc., during which they showed a video of someone failing their Viva... –  Luke Mathieson Commented Sep 11, 2014 at 11:57
• @NeilStrickland those systems that will not let you defend unless you can pass also fail your whole graduate education if you fail the defense. Turkey is one of the examples. –  Erkin Alp Güney Commented May 19, 2019 at 6:29

It depends on the department I would expect. Mine for example bans food and drink at a PhD defense, both because they think is puts an undue burden on the student (why should you have to cater your defense?) and creates an inappropriate atmosphere. Cookies, generally, are a celebratory food for example, and while you should pass your defense, having already broken out dessert suggests that its a foregone conclusion.

I don't think there is a set rule prescribing the food and drinks that are welcome in the doctoral defense rooms/halls but I am afraid it is culture- and convention-dependent. I have never heard of such a thing that doctoral students can bring in any food or hot drinks when they defense their dissertation. Bottled water is ok. However, personally I don't reject any idea of taking food to defense rooms as long as the chair and the committees think it is fine. Food and drinks sometimes ease nervousness and anxiety and may make the whole process an easier one, as we all know. So why not food and drinks?

It is illegal for a student to bring jury food. It is considered bribery, even if you give it after you are successful.

• 5 Where is it illegal? Could you please specify? Because in many parts of the world, as other answers pointed out, it is not illegal at all. –  Massimo Ortolano Commented May 18, 2019 at 15:37
• 2 Do you have a reference for this? –  J-Kun Commented May 18, 2019 at 18:13
• Juries are considered public servants in this duty and gifting public servants is considered bribery. –  Erkin Alp Güney Commented May 19, 2019 at 6:27

It varies in the U. S. by field and department. Most at my school did not but I had relatives with opposite experience. Use your judgment and don't go overboard.

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Preparing to defend your thesis from home

• Degrees and Programs
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Due to COVID-19, defending your graduate thesis or dissertation in person is likely off the table. That doesn’t mean you have to wait to defend. Many schools and programs are allowing remote defenses — meaning you could find yourself defending from your living room! In this presentation, a recent psychology doctoral student that completed a remote defense, a current dean of psychology, and APA’s Office of Graduate and Postgraduate Education and Training, share how to prepare for and complete your thesis or dissertation defense remotely.

This program does not offer CE credit.

Alvin Akibar, PhD

Hideko Sera, PsyD

Garth Fowler, PhD

An associate executive director for education, and the director of the Office for Graduate and Postgraduate Education and Training at APA. He leads the directorate’s efforts to develop resources, guidelines, and policies that promote and enhance disciplinary education and training in psychology at the graduate and postdoctoral level.

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17 Thesis Defense Questions and How to Answer Them

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,

1. What is your topic, and why did you choose it?

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.

2. How does your topic contribute to the existing literature? How is it important?

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.

3. What are the key findings of your study?

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.

4. What type of background research did you do for your study?

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?

5. What was your hypothesis, and how did you form it?

Describe the expected results you had for your study and whether your hypothesis came from previous research experience, long-held expectations, or cultural myths.

6. What limitations did you face when writing your text?

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.

7. Why did you choose your particular method for your study?

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?

8. Who formed the sample group of your study, and why did you choose this population?

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.

9. What obstacles or limitations did you encounter while working with your sample?

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.

10. Was there something specific you were expecting to find during your analysis?

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?

11. What did you learn from your study?

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.

12. What are the recommendations from your study?

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.

13. If given the chance, what would you do differently?

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.

14. How did you relate your study to the existing theories in the literature?

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.

15. What is the future scope of this study?

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.

16. What do you plan to do professionally after you complete your study?

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.

17. Do you have any questions?

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 .

Snacks for Defense Panels (Undergraduate and Graduate)

Existing policies discourage the practice of students bringing food for defense panels. As such, the departments may order snacks for defense panelists, subject to the following guidelines:

Coverage and budget per College

• Undergraduate thesis defense panels for course codes are listed in Annex A
• All graduate final defense panels
• Following the procedures for ordering meals for meetings, the department may order with any of the canteen concessionaires.
• For the u ndergraduate thesis defense panels , the budget is the aggregate amount of P50 for every student enrolled in the courses listed in Annex A. For example, a thesis course having 30 students enrolled entitles the department to a budget of P1,500. This amount may be spent for defense snacks on a per thesis group basis or as a lump sum for all thesis defense panelists.
• For the  graduate final defense panels , the budget is P200 for every student enrolled in the thesis final defense and P280 for every student enrolled in the dissertation final defense. As graduate defenses are held on separate dates, the amount is assumed to be on a per panel basis.
• The budget for undergraduate and graduate defense panels should be not aggregated.

Preparation of PRS

Revised as of 13 Feb 2024

• Department secretary to prepare required attachments as proof for processing of payment in BPMS: a.Grading Sheet b.Final Defense Schedule c.Scanned copy of Invoice (No erasure) d.Inventory of Payments for UG Snacks e.Email Recommendation from Department Chair
• Department to ensure and evaluate the above documents that summary of total expense is based on the allowed budget of P50 per student enrolled in the course. Pleases refer to Annex A for more details.
• Once confirmed and approved, the Department secretary will create BPMS entry using the following: a.Evaluated and approved documents/attachment b.Summary of expenses
• Department secretary will forward to the Chair for BPMS approval.
• Once approved, the Department Chair will forward the BPMS to College Dean for approval.
• Once approved by College Dean, BPMS to be forwarded to FAO for processing.
• Department Secretary may check the status from the Finance and Accounting Office (FAO).
• Department secretary to prepare required attachments as proof for processing of payment in BPMS: a.Grading Sheet b.Final Defense Schedule c.Scanned copy of Invoice (No erasure) d.Inventory of Payments for GS Snacks e.Email Recommendation from Department Chair
• Department to ensure and evaluate the above documents that summary of total expense is based on the following: a.P200 per student enrolled in Thesis Final Defense b.P280 per student enrolled in Dissertation Final Defense

• Faculty Issues

Bagel and Schmear? Not Here

By  Colleen Flaherty

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It’s a common tradition within graduate programs: students bring food and drinks to meetings with their thesis committees, especially to their final defenses. And for many years, the psychology department at the University of California, Los Angeles, was no exception.

No more. The department’s faculty Executive Committee recently voted to end the unofficial practice, citing the added stress -- financial and otherwise -- it puts on students.

"We would like to move away from the expectation that oral exams be catered," reads a notice sent to UCLA's psychology professors and graduate students. "The Executive Committee has approved the addition of a simple rule to our Grad Handbook, stating that students are not allowed to provide food or drink for prelims/final oral exam."

Anna Lau, professor of psychology and vice chair of graduate studies, who wrote the notice, said Tuesday that there was "never an explicit statement that students must bring food." Rather, it was "a tradition that was transmitted and maintained through social norms."

In any case, she said, "my sense from students is that many are grateful that this is no longer an obligation."

Kate Wassum, an associate professor in the department, said that faculty members are “in positions of authority and need to be open to students’ concerns, and what we can do to correct them.” There’s always more to do, she said, but “this was one small, easy thing.”

Not every faculty member in the department expected students to bring refreshments to their meetings. Wassum didn't, for example. She first told students that they weren't expected to, and when that didn't work, she arranged to have food and drinks there herself. But there remained a general expectation in psychology that students would bring something like coffee and snacks, depending on the time of day, when they met with their faculty committees for their preliminary and final oral examinations. And while some students may not have minded, others found it distracting to think about buying, making and, perhaps especially, paying for food. Preliminary meetings typically include four or five committee faculty members, but final defenses can include audience members, as well.

Discussions about ending student-catered meetings accelerated following the publication of an opinion piece in Science last month called “Committee Members Shouldn’t Expect Ph.D. Students to Serve Coffee and Pastries.” Kate Bredbenner, a graduate fellow at Rockefeller University, wrote that she “never thought I would spend so much of my time and money setting up still-life-worthy displays of flaky croissants and shiny fruit for people who are judging my science, and that of my colleagues.”

Yet at her university and many others, she said, “students bring food to our thesis committee meetings and defenses, adding to the already sky-high pressure.” Bredbenner’s “first taste of it came five years ago, for my first committee meeting. I prepared furiously. I meticulously proofread my written proposal and aligned all the figures. My slides all used the same font. I had even prepared some extra slides to address possible questions my judges might ask.”

Even so, she said, “I was sure the meeting was doomed -- because I didn’t know how to make coffee.”

The solution to the problem, Bredbenner said, “is easy: Committees shouldn’t expect students to provide lavish spreads, or anything at all. We shouldn’t have to spend our money buying overpriced fruit salad or know how to make coffee to be considered successful graduate students. Our research should be enough.”

The piece sparked immediate conversations, not just at UCLA. A graduate student in Toronto who runs several social media accounts under the name Ph.D. Diaries, in part to critique the culture of graduate school, said on Twitter that she’d forgotten to bring coffee to her most recent committee meeting and was called out for it.

This move was inspired by conversations happening on Twitter. A few things: 1 - I don't even drink coffee 2 - I brought everything else to this meeting (the presentation, the report, the paperwork) 3 - I'm the only one at this table who makes less than a living wage. — PhD Diaries (@thoughtsofaphd) July 29, 2019

Some faculty members responded positively, at least online. One professor said she’d never thought about the “inequity” of the matter, and that she’d bring it up at her home institution. “You can’t underestimate how dense faculty are, even the well-meaning ones,” that professor wrote to Ph.D. Diaries.

Noel Brewer, professor of health behavior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, responded that his department already “forbids doctoral students from bringing food and beverages to proposals and defenses. We train scientists, not caterers.” Brewer said he also pays for “trainees’ meals when we go out at conferences. And [he takes] them for a celebratory meal after the defense. Students should not pay.”

Brewer said this week that a colleague launched the policy seven years ago, as dissertation defense meetings "were becoming increasingly elaborate with tablecloths, refreshments and heavy hors d’oeuvres. We found it strange to have scientists turn into caterers."

The department also found it "inappropriate to set up expectations that put undue burden on people with limited means," Brewer said. "Many of us were just embarrassed to make such implied demands of students, given that many of us have a policy of always paying for trainees when we invite them to meals or drinks."

Ph.D. Diaries (who would like to remain anonymous) also said this week that she typically brings a carton of coffee to her meetings and intentionally didn’t bring it to the meeting she wrote about, to see what would happen.

“I think the general notion is absolutely ridiculous,” she said of student catering. “We are the only people at that table who do not make a living wage. I should not be expected to fund coffee.”

When her adviser told her she forgot the coffee, she said she responded like this: “But I didn't forget to bring everything else we need for this meeting -- the presentation, laptop, report, etc.”

At UCLA, a few professors questioned the change initially. Wassum said that in some instances, professors didn’t really know how students felt about bringing food. It is, of course, an awkward thing to bring up.

The department will now provide coffee and water at oral defenses, following a planned move.

However divisive the custom might be, it’s not meant to be punitive or stressful. Wassum said that the general mood at a thesis defense is celebratory. It’s a big moment in a student’s life. And to many, food and drink signal that. Defenses also tend to happen at a busy time of year, when people might need pick-me-ups.

“I myself find it totally unnecessary. If I need coffee, I can get coffee,” Wassum said. Still, “these things can be nice to have around, but students don’t need to be the ones to provide them.”

Lau wrote in her notice to students and faculty members that "one lovely aspect of this custom was that students often made agreements to support each other by providing refreshments for each other’s oral exams. We hope that students establish new 'buddy' traditions for supporting one another during these major hurdle steps (e.g., happy hour celebrations, being in the hallway for support during committee deliberations)."

The department also will restart the tradition of having a staff member take a photo of the candidate with their committee after the final orals, Lau said.

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What food to bring to defense?

For our defenses, we have to give a seminar open to the whole department. Usually about 20 or so people show up.

It is also custom for the defender to bring some type of food, snacks, or refreshments. Mine is in the afternoon after lunch.

Any budget friendly ideas I could bring for about 20 or so people?

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Students Prepared Low Budget Snacks to Panelists for Their Oral Defense

Students prepared low budget snacks to their panelists earned various reactions.

Photo of Students who prepared low budget snacks to their panelists for their research paper oral defense went viral on social media.

Research paper or thesis has been one of the important requirements in school , especially in college ever since. This is one of the crucial for those who want to graduate from college, or even for professionals who want to finish post-graduate studies.

To be able to pass there are panelists who will check and review your project, and rate you according to your presentation. We could say that these guys can also be a threat to your project.

Recently, a netizen on Facebook named Rogelio Auguis shared a photo of their preparation to the panelists for the oral defense of their research paper presentation. What makes netizens amuse is when the snacks for their panelists was kind cheap and low budget.

The Facebook post found bottled water and cheap biscuits just because they prepared for panelists to judge and comment on their output. It has the caption “No, we are running out of research money.” The uploader wrote in his post.

Presumably, students did this to somehow eliminate the frustration and tension they felt during their oral defense presentation, which was not always easy to do. It also garnered various comments from netizens.

What can you say about this article? Just feel free to leave your reactions in the comment section.

For more news and updates, follow us on  Twitter: @ philnews_ph  Facebook: @PhilNews  and; YouTube channel Philnews Ph

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The top 10 thesis defense questions (+ how to prepare strong answers)

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.

Mastering the thesis defense: cultivate a success mindset

Confidence enables you to present your research with conviction, while composure allows you to navigate any challenges with grace and clarity.

Remember, you know your thesis best, so trust in your expertise.

Stay composed and focused, relying on your thorough preparation. If you encounter a question you can’t answer, gracefully guide the conversation back to familiar topics.

By embracing these principles and staying confident and adaptable, you’ll navigate your thesis defense with ease.

Question 1: Why did you choose this particular topic for your research?

Moreover, discuss the gaps you identified in the existing literature that motivated you to contribute to your field. What deficiencies or unanswered questions did you observe? How did these gaps inspire you to embark on your research journey with the aim of filling these voids? By articulating the specific shortcomings in the current body of knowledge, you demonstrate a nuanced understanding of your research area and underscore the significance of your work.

Question 2: How does your research contribute to the existing body of knowledge?

This question delves into the vital role your research plays within the existing body of knowledge, urging you to articulate its significance and impact. It’s not merely about the subject matter you’ve studied, but also about the unique contributions and advancements your research brings to your field. To effectively respond, delve into the intricacies of your work and its implications for the broader academic landscape.

Illuminate how your findings could influence future research trajectories. Explore potential avenues for further inquiry that emerge from your research findings. Consider how your work opens up new questions or areas of exploration for future researchers. By identifying these potential research directions, you demonstrate the forward-looking nature of your work and its potential to shape the future trajectory of your field.

Question 3: What are the key findings of your research?

Furthermore, relate these findings to the broader implications they hold for your field. Articulate how your research contributes to advancing knowledge or addressing pressing issues within your academic discipline. Consider the potential impact of your findings on theory, practice, or policy, highlighting their relevance and significance within the larger scholarly community.

Question 4: Can you defend your research methodology?

Defending your research methodology entails a comprehensive understanding of its rationale, alignment with research objectives, and acknowledgment of potential limitations. It’s not merely about explaining the methods employed but also justifying why they were chosen over alternative approaches. To effectively respond, delve into the intricacies of your methodology and its implications for the study.

Be prepared to discuss the limitations inherent in your chosen methodology and how you mitigated them. Acknowledge any constraints or shortcomings associated with the selected approach, such as potential biases, sample size limitations, or data collection challenges. Demonstrate your awareness of these limitations and discuss the strategies implemented to address or minimize their impact on the validity and reliability of your findings.

Question 5: How did you analyze the data and what challenges did you encounter?

Begin by outlining the techniques used for data analysis. Describe the specific methods, tools, and software employed to process and interpret the data collected. Whether it involved quantitative statistical analysis, qualitative coding techniques, or a combination of both, provide insights into the analytical framework guiding your study. Additionally, discuss the rationale behind the chosen analytical approach and how it aligns with the research objectives and questions.

In summary, when addressing inquiries about data analysis, consider the following key points:

Question 6: What theoretical frameworks or references underpin your research?

Begin by naming the key theories and seminal works that guided your research. Identify the theoretical frameworks that provided the conceptual scaffolding for your study, as well as the seminal works that shaped your understanding of the research area. Discuss how these theories and references informed your research design, methodology, and analytical approach, providing a theoretical lens through which to interpret your findings.

Elucidate on how these frameworks shaped your hypothesis and analysis. Describe how the theoretical perspectives and insights gleaned from seminal works informed the development of your research questions, hypotheses, and analytical framework. Discuss the ways in which these theoretical frameworks guided your data collection and interpretation, influencing the selection of variables, measures, and analytical techniques employed in your study.

In summary, when addressing inquiries about theoretical frameworks, consider the following key points:

Question 7: How did you address ethical considerations in your research?

When addressing ethical considerations in your research, it’s essential to demonstrate a commitment to upholding ethical standards and protecting the rights and well-being of participants. Responding to inquiries about ethical protocols involves explaining the steps taken to ensure ethical conduct throughout the research process, describing the consent process and data protection measures implemented, and mentioning any institutional review board (IRB) approvals obtained.

Mention any institutional ethics review board approvals you obtained. Highlight any formal ethical review processes or approvals obtained from relevant regulatory bodies, such as IRBs or ethics committees. Discuss how the research protocol was reviewed for compliance with ethical guidelines and standards, including considerations of participant welfare, informed consent procedures, and data protection measures. By acknowledging the oversight and approval of institutional review bodies, you demonstrate your commitment to ethical integrity and accountability in conducting research involving human subjects.

Question 8: In what ways does your research contribute to the field?

Begin by detailing the novel insights your thesis provides. Articulate the key findings, discoveries, or perspectives that distinguish your research from existing literature and contribute to advancing knowledge within your field. Discuss how your study fills gaps in current understanding, challenges established assumptions, or offers innovative approaches to addressing pressing issues, highlighting its potential to generate new avenues of inquiry and broaden the scope of scholarly discourse.

In summary, when addressing inquiries about the contributions of your research to the field, consider the following key points:

Question 9: How did you ensure your research was free from bias?

Describe any blind or double-blind procedures employed in the study. Explain how blinding techniques were used to prevent bias in data collection, analysis, or interpretation. This may involve withholding certain information from researchers or participants to minimize the potential for conscious or unconscious bias to influence the results. Discuss how these procedures were implemented and their impact on enhancing the credibility and impartiality of the research outcomes.

Question 10: Where can future research go from here?

When considering the potential trajectory of your research topic, it’s essential to identify areas where further investigation could yield valuable insights, discuss unexplored questions that emerged from your research, and reflect on the limitations of your study as starting points for future research endeavors. Responding to inquiries about the future direction of research involves suggesting fruitful areas for further investigation, highlighting unresolved questions, and leveraging the limitations of your study as opportunities for future exploration.

Reflect on the limitations of your study as starting points for future research. Acknowledge any constraints, biases, or methodological shortcomings that may have influenced the outcomes or interpretations of your study. Discuss how these limitations provide opportunities for future research to refine methodologies, address confounding variables, or explore alternative theoretical frameworks. Consider how addressing these limitations could enhance the validity, reliability, and generalizability of future research findings within your field.

Master Academia

Get new content delivered directly to your inbox, how to harness theoretical and conceptual frameworks for groundbreaking research, 25 short graduation quotes: inspiration in four words or less, related articles, first meeting with your dissertation supervisor: what to expect, left your dissertation too late ways to take action now, sample emails to your thesis supervisor, 3 inspiring master’s thesis acknowledgement examples.

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150+ Food Research Paper Topics Ideas for Students

When writing a research paper on food, there are many angles to explore to choose great research topics about food. You can write argumentative essay topics on food processing methods or search for social media research topics . Moreover, the food industry is advancing, and food styles are changing – another inspiration for an outstanding research topic about food. In other words, if you are looking for your ideal topic for food research , there are many places to look.

How to Choose the “Ideal” Food Research Topics

150+ ideas of experimental research titles about food, research title about food processing.

• Interesting Research Topics on Fast Food

Research Title about Food Industry

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Nevertheless, it can be hard to decipher what characterizes a good example of a thesis title for food. Hence, this article will briefly explain what factors to look for in a research title about food so-to-speak. Then, we will provide up to 150 food topics you can explore.

Personal interest is a vital factor to consider when sourcing the best thesis title about food . If you’re choosing a research title about cookery, you want to ensure it is something you’re interested in. If you’re unsure where your interest lies, you can check out social issues research topics .

Also, the availability of information on the topic of food is important in any research, whether it’s a thesis statement about social media or nutrition topics . Furthermore, choose several food topics to have options if one thesis about food doesn’t work out. Last but not least, ensure your chosen topic about food is neither too broad nor too narrow.

If you are unsure what title about food to work on for your research paper, here we are. Below are some of the best examples of thesis titles or professional thesis writers about food for students and researchers.

• Plant sterols in treating high cholesterol
• Is skipping breakfast healthy?
• Macrobiotic diet: advantages
• Food trendmakers
• Chocolates and emotions: the connection
• Are trans fats carcinogenic?
• Does green tea burn calories?
• Humble lentil: a superfood?

Interesting Research Topics Fast Food

• Fast foods: impact on living organisms
• Food court restaurants
• Misconceptions about fast foods
• Is McDonald’s healthy?
• Fast food: a social problem?
• National cuisine
• Fast food: effect on the liver
• Fast food education
• Students’ nutrition
• Fast food in children’s diet
• Food and 3D virtual reality
• The contemporary hotel industry
• Food and fashion
• Food in different cultures
• Can food be used for cultural identification?
• Trends in food box consumption
• Information innovation in the food industry
• The food industry in developing countries
• Proper nutrition
• History and origin of food traditions
• Can dietary supplements increase bone density?
• Why nutrition science matters
• Organic food: impact on nutrition
• Antimicrobial resistance
• Services ensuring food safety in the US
• Food safety violations in the workplace
• pH balance impacts flavor
• Animal testing should be abolished
• Does overeating suppress the immune system?
• Lifestyle-related chronic diseases
• Food justice
• Government’s involvement in food justice
• Dietary deficiencies
• Spice rack organization
• Nutrients for body development
• Milk for kids: more or less?
• Organic food and health
• Animal-sourced foods: beneficial or dangerous?
• Continental dishes
• Continental dishes vs. Indian spices
• Food factor in national security
• Junk food vs. healthy food
• Environmental food safety
• Safety and control of food colors in the food industry today
• Criteria and scope of food security
• Ensuring food security
• Cooking technology
• Food quality of agricultural raw materials
• Problems and solutions to food safety
• Food security: the theory and methodology
• Recent labeling food innovations
• Health benefits of genetically modified foods
• The vegetarian diet
• Caloric foods
• Fast food affects on health
• Food allergies
• Fast foods: nutritional value
• Food in the 21st century
• The Slow Food movement
• Doughnut’s history
• Food safety: role in gene pool preservation
• Controlling synthetic colors used in food
• Food assessment and control
• Food: its influence on pharmacotherapy’s effectiveness
• Human rights to balanced nutrition
• Quality of food products in urban areas
• Food in rural areas vs. urban areas
• Food security in Uganda
• Food safety: developed vs. developing countries
• Food factor in biopolitics
• Corn starch in baking: the importance
• Bacteria concerns in baking: Clostridium botulinum
• Normal butter vs. brown butter
• Matcha in Japanese pastry
• Sweet in baked desserts
• Effect of flour type on cake quality
• Sugar vs. stevia
• Why so much sugar in packed cakes?
• Carob is use in baking
• Coca-Cola baking: is it safe?
• Cooking schools
• Protein food preservation
• Food preservation techniques
• Vegan vs. non-vegan
• Caffeine in drinks
• Plastic and food quality
• History of carrot cake
• Turmeric: health properties
• Japanese tea ceremonies
• Healthy sugar substitutes
• The popularity of plant-based diet
• Food steaming: history
• CBD-infused foods
• Achieving the umami flavor in cooking
• Climate and diet
• Quick-service restaurants: impact on life expectancy
• Drinking and Judaism
• Chinese tea: a historical analysis
• Meat canning
• Resistance of meat to antimicrobials
• Eliminating botulism
• Reducing food allergies
• Avian influenza
• Vitamin D nutrition: the worldwide status
• Nutritional supplements are available for the poor
• Food science: importance in human nutrition
• Amino acids and muscle growth
• Poor nutrition and bone density
• Women and diet
• Tea vs. coffee
• Is tea addictive?
• Cholesterol: myths
• Sugar vs. sweeteners
• Keto diet: effect on health
• Food sensitivities in children
• African superfoods
• Spirulina: the properties
• Wine in French cuisine
• Garlic and onions
• Stored foods
• Preventing food poisoning
• Food addiction
• How to fight against food waste
• Aqueous environment: the toxicity
• Fast food in hospitals
• The risks associated with junk
• Food culture and obesity
• The link between fast food and obesity
• Burgers: are they sandwiches?
• Food additives
• History of curry
• Freezing dough: impact on quality
• Best pizza Margherita recipe
• Making low-calorie food tasty
• Jamaica and British cuisine
• Picked food in India
• How to eat eggs
• Egg poaching
• Italian pasta: types

From food innovation research titles to food sustainability research topics , there are many areas of the food industry to explore. With the list of topics and tips for choosing a topic provided here, finding your ideal topic should be easier.

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