Overcoming the Viva Voce Examination Obstacle at Postgraduate Research

Most postgraduate programs have viva voce, or oral examination, or thesis defense as a mandatory form of research assessment. This chapter defines viva voce examination, its importance in the assessment of postgraduate students, the way it should be managed, the challenges it presents to the students as well as the staff, and how to overcome it as an obstacle. The chapter provides a handy tool for the guidance and preparation of students and faculty in low-resource settings in the viva process. The author recommends students be gradually and systematically introduced to viva voce examinations as a formative assessment, rather than suddenly as a terminal assessment.