Chapter 8 Research Viva

The project viva will assess a student’s ability to orally communicate their research and reflect on the research process. This assessment is typically the last undergraduate assessment and is usually positioned at the end of semester two examination week [key dates]. We hope that the day somewhat replicates conference proceedings and prepares students for postgraduate work.

Students should use the work they submitted for the written component of assessment to produce a formal conference poster, that they will be required to present on the viva day. For each of the research options a viva template, that adheres to Staffordshire University guidelines and good reporting practices, has been made available to students via the virtual learning environment.

8.1 Viva content

The viva templates offer guidance on the content that is required for this assessment. In essence, the student should summarise the background, methodology, results, and discussion. There is no word count to the piece, but students are encouraged to be succinct and clear in their communication – too much text is likely to be detrimental to the aesthetics of the poster.

8.2 Viva Marking Process

Projects will be marked independently by the student’s supervisor and verified by one other member of staff from the Staffordshire University School of Health, Education, Policing and Science, Sport and Science Department. The project supervisor will lead the viva questioning. Where there are significant discrepancies between the first marker and second verification marker (either within classification boundaries or at a classification borderline), and this discrepancy cannot be resolved between the two markers, this should be reported to the Head of Department.

8.3 Viva Allocation of Marks

Reviewers will mark the viva based on five broad categories:

Generic Marking Criteria	Weighting (%)
Poster Aesthetics	15
Research Communication	20
Accuracy, Appropriateness & Relevance	25
Justification and Project Defense	25
Personal Reflection	15
TOTAL	100

The specific marking rubric for the research viva can be viewed on the virtual learning environment.