Sikes, P.J. (2017) And then he threatened to kill himself: nightmare viva stories as opportunities for learning. Qualitative Research Journal, 17 (4). pp. 230-242. ISSN 1448-0980
Abstract
Purpose In the UK and countries following similar systems of doctoral assessment, there is little research-based evidence about what goes on in vivas. However, “doctoral assessment ‘horror stories’”, abound. The purpose of this paper is to report a study focussing on difficult doctoral examining experiences and argue that sharing such stories can provide a useful basis for examiner and supervisor education.
Design/methodology/approach The study took a narrative auto/biographical approach.
Findings The stories participants told show that doctoral examining is relational, emotional and ethical work and that viva outcomes are strongly influenced by subjectivities. There was felt to be a need to share stories of difficulties in order to bring them into the open with a view to prompting transformational change.
Research limitations/implications Participants were self-selecting and all worked at the same institution.
Originality/value There are few accounts of examiners’ experiences of the viva.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © Pat Sikes. Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article ( for both commercial & non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http:// creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode |
Keywords: | Narrative; Auto/biographical research; Doctoral assessment; Emotional relational work; Ethical practice; Vivas |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > School of Education (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 22 Feb 2017 15:37 |
Last Modified: | 10 Nov 2017 15:36 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-12-2016-0074 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Emerald |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1108/QRJ-12-2016-0074 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:112649 |