And then he threatened to kill himself

Nightmare viva stories as opportunities for learning

Datos Bibliográficos

ID9744930
AutoresPat Sikes (0000-0003-2399-0222, University of KwaZulu-Natal, autor de correspondencia)
Año2017
Volumen17
Número4
Páginas230-242
Fecha de publicación2017-11-13
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaQualitative Research Journal (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1443-9883 • E-ISSN: 1448-0980
EditorialEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/qrj-12-2016-0074
OpenAlexW2599708125
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas12
Referencias citadas27

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

Art · Institution · Literature · Narrative · Narrative inquiry · Nightmare · Originality · Pedagogy · Political science · Public relations · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Supervisor · Transformational leadership · Value (mathematics · Doctoral Education Challenges and Solutions · Health and Medical Research Impacts · Innovations in Medical Education · Law · Psychology · Social Psychology