Taller: Cómo preparar las preguntas de tu comisión evaluadora en la defensa de tesis

Summary

Carla Morales and Karina discuss strategies for preparing for thesis defense questions at the University of Chile. They advise considering the thesis defense context, understanding the committee's potential unfamiliarity with the project, and being prepared to answer both specific and general questions. They suggest knowing the committee members, being self-critical, anticipating weak points, and preparing with potential questions and supporting slides. They also offer a support document with possible questions for practice.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The thesis defense is a formal event where you present your research work to an evaluation committee.
• 🤔 Be prepared for questions that may not be directly related to your specific research project, as the committee may seek to understand your work more broadly.
• 📚 Understand the context of your defense; the committee may ask questions to gain a better understanding of aspects you didn't delve into during your presentation.
• 📈 Justify your research choices, such as methodologies, theoretical approaches, and analytical frameworks, as these are common areas of inquiry.
• 🗣️ Practice diplomacy when faced with off-topic questions, acknowledging the question's relevance while redirecting the focus back to your research.
• 🧑‍🏫 Know your audience: Research the committee members' areas of expertise and anticipate their potential concerns or questions.
• 🔍 Identify and address the weaknesses in your research, as the committee may scrutinize these aspects closely.
• 📝 Create a list of potential questions based on your own experience, similar defenses, or feedback from peers.
• 🖥️ Prepare hidden slides with supporting data, charts, or diagrams to address specific questions that may arise during the defense.
• ⏳ Prepare well in advance to give yourself ample time to reflect on potential questions and ensure you are not caught off guard.
• 📖 Utilize support documents and resources provided by the University of Chile's learning unit to practice and prepare for your defense.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of a thesis defense?

The main purpose of a thesis defense is to formally present your research work to an evaluation committee, who will ask questions related to your project and your disciplinary area.

Why might the evaluation committee ask questions that are not directly related to your thesis?

The evaluation committee might ask questions that are not directly related to your thesis to understand your expertise and to see how you handle unexpected inquiries, which can demonstrate your ability to think critically and respond to diverse perspectives.

How can you prepare for questions that the committee might ask about your research methodology?

You can prepare for such questions by understanding the rationale behind your chosen methodologies, being able to explain why certain theoretical approaches were selected for analysis, and being ready to justify these choices.

What is the significance of knowing your audience during the thesis defense?

Knowing your audience, which includes understanding the professors on the evaluation committee, their fields of knowledge, and their academic interests, can help you anticipate potential questions and concerns they might have regarding your research.

Why is it important to be self-critical about your research before the defense?

Being self-critical allows you to identify and address potential weaknesses in your research, preparing you to respond to the committee's scrutiny and demonstrating your thorough understanding of your work.

How can you use your knowledge of similar studies to prepare for your thesis defense?

By comparing your research with similar studies, you can identify common methodologies, tools, and disciplinary affinities, which can help you anticipate questions and strengthen your defense strategy.

What is the benefit of creating a list of potential questions for your thesis defense?

Creating a list of potential questions can help you anticipate the committee's inquiries, allowing you to prepare thoughtful responses and ensuring you are ready to address any concerns they may have.

How can hidden slides with supporting data be useful during your thesis defense?

Hidden slides with supporting data, such as graphs, tables, or diagrams, can serve as a quick reference to provide concrete information and clarify your arguments when answering the committee's questions.

Why is it recommended to prepare for the thesis defense well in advance?

Preparing well in advance allows you to reflect on potential questions, consider all aspects of your research, and feel less pressured during the defense, as you will have already considered various angles and topics.

What additional resource is mentioned in the script to help prepare for the thesis defense?

The script mentions a support document constructed in collaboration with the team, which contains various items of potential questions for practice. The link to this document can be found in the video description.