Commonly asked Questions in research defense with answers| Oral Defense Questions |

Summary

In this video, the presenter discusses the most commonly asked questions during research defenses at the master's and PhD levels, offering valuable insights into how to effectively answer them. Key topics include explaining the motivation behind the research, defining the scope and significance of the study, justifying research methodology, addressing limitations, and suggesting future research areas. Viewers are also guided on how to relate findings to existing theories. This practical guide equips researchers with the knowledge to confidently navigate their defense and present their research effectively.

Takeaways

• 😀 Why did you choose this topic? Discuss the motivation behind your study and the problem you are addressing.
• 😀 What is your research project about? Be prepared to summarize your abstract, including the research problem, variables, methodology, findings, and recommendations.
• 😀 What is the scope of your study? Clearly state the specific areas covered in your research project.
• 😀 What is the significance of the study? Explain how your research can contribute to the community, researchers, educators, or industries.
• 😀 What are your research variables? Be ready to explain your independent and dependent variables.
• 😀 What research methodology did you use? Provide details on your research design, data collection methods, and sampling techniques.
• 😀 Why did you use this research methodology? Justify your choice of methodology with clear arguments and evidence.
• 😀 What limitations did you encounter? Discuss challenges like time management or balancing coursework and projects, but avoid focusing on data limitations.
• 😀 What sources of data did you use? Clarify whether your research involved primary data (e.g., questionnaires, interviews) or secondary data (e.g., books, journals).
• 😀 What areas will you suggest for future research? Based on your findings, offer potential directions for future studies.
• 😀 How would you relate your findings to existing theories? Be familiar with the relevant theories and empirical studies to connect your findings.

Q & A

What is the most commonly asked question in a research defense?

The most commonly asked question is 'Why did you choose this topic?' This question focuses on understanding the motivations behind the research and the research problem being addressed.

How should you answer the question 'Why did you choose this topic?'

To answer this, you should discuss the motivations that led you to choose the topic and the specific research problem you wanted to address. Essentially, explain the 'why' behind your study.

What should you include when explaining what your research project is all about?

You should summarize your research project by repeating the main points of your abstract: the research problem, the variables involved, the methodology, key findings, and recommendations.

What does 'the scope of the study' refer to in a research defense?

The scope of the study refers to the specific aspects of the research project that were covered, including the particular areas, variables, and boundaries within the research.

What is the significance of a study, and how should it be addressed in a defense?

The significance of the study refers to its contribution to the field or society. In your defense, you should explain how your research benefits researchers, educators, organizations, or industries.

What should you explain when asked about your research variables?

You should clearly explain the independent and dependent variables involved in your research, providing a clear understanding of how they relate to your study.

What types of research methodologies exist, and why is it important to justify your choice?

There are both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, each with different approaches. Justifying your choice is crucial because it shows that you have carefully considered the most suitable methodology for your research goals.

How can you justify the use of a particular research methodology in your defense?

You can justify your choice by explaining the strengths of the chosen methodology. For example, survey research is cost-effective, minimizes interviewer bias, and allows for broad data collection, making it suitable for many types of studies.

What limitations should you mention in a research defense?

In your defense, you should focus on simple, non-critical limitations, such as time constraints, resource limitations, or challenges in balancing research with other academic responsibilities, rather than limitations related to your data or analysis.

How should you respond when asked about the type of data used in your research?

You should specify whether the data used was primary (e.g., collected through surveys, interviews, or observations) or secondary (e.g., sourced from books, journals, or other published materials).

What areas for future research might be suggested based on your findings?

Based on your research findings, you should suggest areas for future research that align with your study’s results. These could include unexplored variables, new research questions, or broader applications of your research findings.

How can you relate your findings to existing theories in your field?

To answer this, you should show how your findings support, contradict, or add to existing theories. You should reference relevant empirical studies and theoretical frameworks to demonstrate how your research fits into the larger academic conversation.