Choosing the Examiner and what examiners look for

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Choosing the Examiner (and what examiners look
for)
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Overview

• How Examiners approach the task
• How Examiners read a thesis
• What examiners look for
• What examiners dislike
• Experienced vs inexperienced supervisors
• Feedback from exams panel

Graduate Studies Office
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How Examiners approach the task

• Some set out to examine the thesis, some set out
  to examine the student/researcher
• All examiners WANT and EXPECT the thesis to pass
  when they start reluctant to fail it !
• There are only few disciplinary differences
  mainly to do with publication but all are
  impressed by publication

Graduate Studies Office
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How Examiners read a thesis

• Some read it like a book
• Some read abstract, introduction and conclusion
  before other chapters
• Whatever their strategy they all form a
  conclusion before the end of chapter 2 !!

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What examiners look for

• A well structured argument
• You have made the ideas your own
• Your ability to critically assess your own work
• Solution of a real / worthwhile problem
• Written with confidence
• Written with flair

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What examiners dislike

• Inconsistency between the declared aims and what
  is actually done be consistent and coherent
• Lack of understanding of relevant theory
• A poor summary of what has been argued in the
  thesis
• Lack of confidence in writing style
• Poor/sloppy presentation

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Experienced vs inexperienced supervisors

• Experienced examiners are usually more
  generous/formative
• Experienced examiners refer to an internalised
  set of abstract criteria
• Experienced examiners not so influenced by
  knowing the supervisor or the institution
• Inexperienced examiners influenced more by
  institutional criteria dont like dealing with
  marginal theses

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Feedback from exams panel

• Choosing the Examiners knowing your audience
• Editorial issues
• Substantive issues
• Paradigm disagreement