The majority of the people who have gone through thesis defense have two or more ideas to offer to those preparing for their protection. Depending on your situation, some of the tips will work, and some might not even work. The advice that will work in your case might not work in other candidate cases. All candidates are unique, and every dissertation defense is equally diverse since circumstances might be different in each case. From the tips, a candidate can adopt those tips that work for their case and probably adapt those that do not work in their case. Other information that cannot get adapted then you can discard. The following are defense tips that are likely to be operational in all circumstances.
- You are an excellent specialist in your thesis topic. No one knows more about your selected topic and your field of study. Your supervisor is only there to guide you through the process of arriving at a sound conclusion. This fact will boost your confidence and spirits to prepare for your defense.
- Your research committee has confidence in you. Since you have had direct contact with members of your committee, then they believe in you. In most cases, your research committee will not allow you to protect your dissertation if, in their own opinion, you are not ready.
- When answering dissertation questions, it is good to be silent than to speak and display your ignorance. If, by any chance, you do not know an answer to a question from the panelists, then it is better to be silent than to ramble in the hope of guessing the correct answer.
- The research committee members are on stage performing for your target audience, and probably some might not like more than you.
- Take adequate rest the night before you present your dissertation defense. During your last hours, rest is more critical since it will ensure you concentrate during the actual defense. Avoid spending your entire night preparing for the reason; this might be counterproductive.
- Be direct and straightforward to the point. When it comes to writing a conclusion or abstract, being concise and clear is the best. This technique applies to the dissertation defense. Simplicity is an all-time cure to having issues presented clearly and concisely. Complexity, on the other hand, has the potential to confuse.
- Do not beat around the bush in an attempt to answer a question that you are not sure of. The committee members will recognize the techniques and tricks you use to avoid addressing their problems. Therefore, if you do not know an answer to a question, it is better to say no.
- If you are not sure of an answer, it is not a crime to say I do not know. Stating you are unsure of a solution can result in your research committee clarifying or helping you understand it better and possibly accelerate your understanding.
- If the questioning goes beyond the scope of your topic, do not be afraid to clarify. Remember, you are the only expert in your topic, and the rest are simply advisors. Therefore, if questions are about issues beyond your research, do not hesitate to let committee members know.
- Enjoy your moment since such opportunities come once in a lifetime. Please do not panic; you will pass since the committee members have confidence in your work. The only thing that they might tell you to do is some corrections here and there, which is standard in the dissertation defense.
Some students feel that reading dissertation defense tips and writing the dissertation does not provide the adequate preparation that they need. Dissertation defense tips have the potential to boost your chances of having your defense successful. Make good use of these dissertation defense tips to prepare for your final stab at qualifying for your award of an advanced degree. For the tips that you feel it does not apply to you, feel free to adapt them to suit your circumstances.