Thesis refers to the written compilation of the person’s research-based knowledge. It can be on any topic as preferred by the writer. A thesis includes the making of a research paper or a collective work on any particular topic. After the completion of the research thesis, the writer of that paper is asked to present it in front of a panel. This presentation of a research thesis in front of a panel is known as a thesis defense. Therefore, in simple terms, a thesis defense refers to an act of manually representing the research paper or the research thesis written by the person. In this round, after the thesis writer has presented his work in front of the panel, he asked some questions related to the topic or thesis, the theory presented by the person, educational qualifications, work experience, motivation behind the thesis, and other personal or professional questions. This round is somewhat similar to a job interview. A thesis defense is also called viva voice. Let’s check common thesis defense questions and answers.
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES TO PREPARE FOR A THESIS DEFENCE
There are many ways to prepare for the thesis defense. It is similar to preparing for any job interview. Moreover, the students or writers presenting the thesis defense in the panel must thoroughly prepare about the topic he has made the research thesis on. Following are some tips to prepare for the thesis defense-
- Prepare for the manual presentation of the thesis. The person presenting in front of the panel must complete the presentation within the given time. If no time is by the panel, the ideal time for presentation is a thesis defense is 15-20 minutes.
- The presenter must cover all the topics written in the research thesis. A good way to keep track of the topic covered by decided the writer in a thesis defense is by following the pattern written in the research thesis.
- The person must thoroughly prepare for all the topics, sub-topics, historical overview, critical analysis of the topic used in the thesis, facts, etc. related to the theory of the research thesis.
- A thesis defense is a sort of interview round, so the person appearing for the thesis defense can follow all the rules and instructions that apply to an interviewee.
- The person must answer the thesis defense question in short and simple sentences that can grab the interviewer’s attention.
- All the answers must be straightforward and only stick to the question asked by the panel. Moreover, the person must also listen to all the questions carefully and attentively before beginning to answer them.
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL QUESTIONS IN A THESIS DEFENSE
The interviewers or the panel can also ask some questions related to the personal or professional lives of the person appearing for the thesis defense. Apart from the question asked in a thesis defense related to the research theory, many general questions are asked by the interviewers. The answers to these questions are perspective-based. It can also defer from one person to another. The examples of the common questions asked in the thesis defense interview are as follows-
- WHAT ARE YOUR EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS?
It is one of the most asked questions in a job interview or thesis defense. The required educational qualification to appear in a thesis defense is the completion of a high school diploma with seventy and above percentage or marks. After high school, the person must have completed a degree or diploma course in any subject or any subject combination from any certified university. Moreover, the person appearing for a thesis defense must have written a research thesis or theory on any topic. It must be an original document. Therefore, the person must also prepare for this type of general questions related to his professional and educational background.
- WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE?
In any job interview or one-on-one question-answer session, the interviewers or panelists generally show some interest in knowing the interviewee’s knowledge or sources of knowledge. There can be sources like books, research works and research papers of other people, the material provided by college or university, thesis written by other people, the internet, and many more. An alternative answer to this question can be regarding the sources of the thesis or theory written by the person. It is also important to mention the sources used by the person during his presentation in the thesis defense. It increases the reliability and authenticity of the research thesis written by the person.
- HOW RESEARCH THESIS HAS CONTRIBUTED TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE?
There can be many alternative answers or solutions to this question. Moreover, creating a research thesis or theory can also have many personal or professional effects on the persona’s life. It helps them in increasing their knowledge of any one or more theory or thesis subject. It can also help other people in enhancing their academic knowledge of any research thesis. Moreover, it can also lead to enhance the person’s presentation skills and help them practice for the interview or one-on-one question-answer sessions.
QUESTION-RELATED TO THE TOPIC OF THE THESIS STATEMENT
This is the main questions and answers section in any interview or thesis defense. It includes the questions asked by the panelists related to the research thesis written by the person. Some general questions asked in the thesis defense are related to the theory on which the person has created the research thesis, sources of study, relevance, nature, and scope of the theory or thesis written by him, and many more. The example of some thesis defense questions are as follows-
- WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO WRITE THIS THESIS OR RESEARCH STATEMENT?
It is one of the most important and common questions asked by the panel in a thesis defense. The answer to this question depends on one person to another. It is also a little tricky question and many people find it difficult to answer such type of questions. Moreover, there can be many answers to this question depending on the choices and perspectives of the people. While answering this question, the person should keep in mind that the answer to this question has to be a little convincing to the panel that this topic or theory was worth the time. Also, it can help in understanding various other concepts and theories as well.
- WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS TOPIC FOR YOUR RESEARCH THESIS?
It is also a commonly asked question in a thesis defense. The answer to this question is mostly based on the perspective of the writer and also the subjects he has earlier chosen by them during their master of degree and diploma courses. The person who can answer this question is thesis defense in such a manner that he has a strong grip on the subject chosen by him, or this particular subject holds his keen interest for a long time. Moreover, while choosing the subject for thesis or research theory writing the person must prefer subjects he has a strong grip on, and he has studied that particular subject at various personal and professional levels. Also, he must prepare all the aspects of that topic he has chosen for the thesis defense including the past or historical view of that topic or theory, present status, popular facts, future scope, and many more.
- WHAT SAMPLING METHODS AND METHODOLOGY DID YOU USE?
It is asked by the thesis defense interview panel to know the research methods used by the researchers. Therefore, while making a research thesis the writer must also focus on the research method or research methods used by him. Four different methods are used by the person to write a thesis statement and research thesis. Some commonly used methodology in a thesis includes the observational method in which the thesis or theory is based on the observation of the researcher. The experimental research method, includes the data derived from manual or technical, practical experiments. The simulation method is the one that includes real-world problems and immediate solutions to these problems. The derived methodology used in a thesis is based on another person’s earlier done research statements.
- EXPLAIN IN BRIEF THE SCOPE AND FUTURE OF YOUR THESIS?
While answering this question the person must state all the advantages and other good points of the thesis. He can also state the reliability, validity, and authenticity of the research thesis. Moreover, while writing any research thesis the writer must also make sure that the theory is relevant for the future generation and can be applied shortly. The scope of a research thesis includes all the aspects and fields in which the theory is applicable.
CONCLUSION
A thesis defense is a form interview or questions and answers session. Every person who has made a research thesis or theory has to present his research thesis in front of the panelist. There are many questions asked by the interviewers or the thesis defense including the question based on their personal and professional lives, educational qualifications, and other question related to the research thesis presented by the person. Some commonly asked questions include the motivation for writing a thesis on any topic or theory, the scope and future aspect of the thesis, the methodology used by the person, and many more.
