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The final examination of the UK PhD: fit for purpose?

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Title: The final examination of the UK PhD: fit for purpose?
Authors: Houston, Gillian1 (AUTHOR) houston07302223@gmail.com, Lunt, Ingrid1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education. Dec2024, Vol. 49 Issue 8, p1182-1195. 14p.
Subject Terms: *Summative tests, *Apprentices, Supervisors, Professional employees, Minorities
Abstract: In recent decades the doctorate and its purposes have undergone fundamental change. The scholarly model has evolved from one of 'apprentice' to independent, supported learner and the doctoral training process has been revolutionised; many candidates now experience cohort-based, structured research. The UK's final PhD examination, however, has changed little in response and as a result has been called into question: does the current model – thesis evaluation followed by a viva voce examination – adequately assess the candidate, their achievements and their potential? This article includes data from a larger study that included live observations of viva examinations and interviews with candidates, supervisors and examiners. In the article, we explore the developments that have transformed the UK PhD from an elite 'licence to practise' for a minority to a mainstream qualification increasingly used to enhance career prospects. We consider the fitness for purpose of the examination by analysing the attributes assessed through the thesis and the viva. The article concludes by questioning whether the examination process enables examiners to communicate the attributes on which judgements are based: the candidate's ability to conduct research independently, their professional and personal characteristics, and their potential career prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: The final examination of the UK PhD: fit for purpose?
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Houston%2C+Gillian%22">Houston, Gillian</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> houston07302223@gmail.com</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lunt%2C+Ingrid%22">Lunt, Ingrid</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Assessment+%26+Evaluation+in+Higher+Education%22">Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education</searchLink>. Dec2024, Vol. 49 Issue 8, p1182-1195. 14p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Summative+tests%22">Summative tests</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Apprentices%22">Apprentices</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Supervisors%22">Supervisors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+employees%22">Professional employees</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Minorities%22">Minorities</searchLink>
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  Data: In recent decades the doctorate and its purposes have undergone fundamental change. The scholarly model has evolved from one of 'apprentice' to independent, supported learner and the doctoral training process has been revolutionised; many candidates now experience cohort-based, structured research. The UK's final PhD examination, however, has changed little in response and as a result has been called into question: does the current model – thesis evaluation followed by a viva voce examination – adequately assess the candidate, their achievements and their potential? This article includes data from a larger study that included live observations of viva examinations and interviews with candidates, supervisors and examiners. In the article, we explore the developments that have transformed the UK PhD from an elite 'licence to practise' for a minority to a mainstream qualification increasingly used to enhance career prospects. We consider the fitness for purpose of the examination by analysing the attributes assessed through the thesis and the viva. The article concludes by questioning whether the examination process enables examiners to communicate the attributes on which judgements are based: the candidate's ability to conduct research independently, their professional and personal characteristics, and their potential career prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1080/02602938.2024.2364026
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        Text: English
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Apprentices
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      – SubjectFull: Supervisors
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              Text: Dec2024
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