The opponenten (external reviewer)
Academic title and level of competence: PhD and minimum competence level docent or equivalent
Must not be employed at the University of Skövde
Before the public defense
- the opponent must critically examine the entire thesis and prepare his/her opposition.
- the opponent has an obligation to report any suspicion of scientific misconduct to the University's Registry Officer.
- it is the opponent's responsibility to report any circumstances that may contribute to conflict of interest. For more information, see the University's “Guidelines on conflict of interest” (in Swedish Riktlinjer om jäv).
During the public defense
- If chosen as an alternative: the opponent must give a summary and own interpretation of the content of the thesis and place it in relation to other research in the subject area.
- the opponent shall perform the public discussion, which means highlighting the central results, critically discussing the thesis and engaging in a discussion about the content with the respondent. The opponent discusses the thesis with the respondent by asking questions and providing views, thereby enabling the respondent to demonstrate his expected knowledge and ability to discuss the results. Future research work is also discussed here. This is the central part of the public defense as the respondent's ability to answer the questions is included in the grading.
After the public defense
- the opponent is expected to participate in the examining committee's deliberations, but leaves the meeting before the examining committee makes its decision.
The examining committee
Is the examiner for the doctoral thesis and the doctoral student's defense of the thesis in connection with the public defense. Information on assessment criteria can be found under “Assessment of a PhD thesis and defense” (or in Swedish under “Bedömning av doktorsavhandling och disputation”).
Must consist of three regular members and one substitute. At most one of the regulars may be employed at the University of Skövde, at least one must come from another Swedish University or higher education institution.
Both sexes must be represented.
Each member must have at least a docent's qualification or the equivalent.
Before the public defense
- the examining committee must critically examine the entire thesis and prepare its examination.
- the members of the examining committee have the obligation to report any suspicion of scientific misconduct to the University's Registry Officer.
- it is the responsibility of the examining committee members to report any circumstances that may contribute to conflict of interest. For more information, see the University's “Guidelines on conflict of interest” (in Swedish Riktlinjer om jäv).
During the public defense
- the members of the examining committee shall ask the respondent questions about the content of the thesis and assess the respondent's ability to defend the thesis and to answer the opponent's and others' questions.
After the public defense
- The examining committee meets and appoints a chairman (one of the three regular members). The examining committee is quorum when all members are present. The opponent is expected to participate in the deliberations. Supervisors have the right to attend, and one of them (normally the main supervisor) must attend the meeting and participate in the deliberations. When the deliberations are considered complete, the opponent and all supervisors must leave the room.
- The examining committee makes decisions on grades. Majority decisions apply and grades are only given as pass or fail. When grading, both the content of the thesis and the respondent's presentation, discussion and defense of it must be assessed.
- If the examining committee approves the thesis, the reasons may not be reported in the examination protocol. The same applies if an individual member has reservations about the decision.
- If the thesis is rejected, the reasons must be stated. The same applies if an individual member reserves himself against this decision. If the thesis is rejected, it is also possible for the supervisor to submit a special opinion.
- The examination protocol from the examining committee meeting is filled in and signed by all members of the examining committee.
- The examining committee announces its decision as soon as possible.
- The examination protocol from the examining committee’s meeting is handed over to the chair of the public defense.
The chair of the public defense
must be active at the school (‘institution’) to which the doctoral student belongs.
Before the public defense, the chair of the public defense must
- become familiar with his/her assignment and responsibilities and, if necessary, communicate issues with those concerned (main supervisor, doctoral student...).
During the public defense, the chair of the public defense must
- lead the public defense (act as moderator),
- be responsible for the defense being carried out properly. He/she must also check that everyone is present when the act/seminar starts. If the opponent or any member of the examining committee does not appear, the chair must investigate whether the public defense can be moved to a later time on the same day if the reason for the absence is delay, or ensure that the substitute member of the examining committee enters.
- welcome everyone, introduce the respondent, the title of the thesis, the opponent (external reviewer) and the members of the examining committee,
- present any relevant information about where the research has been carried out and about others involved,
- explain the procedure for the public defense (seminar) and ensure that it is carried out properly,
- leave the floor to the respondent who reports any typographical errors and/or other corrections in the thesis (errata list),
- leave the floor to the respondent and opponent (external reviewer) in the order chosen,
- give the examining committee members the opportunity to ask questions to the respondent and comment on the thesis,
- give the audience the opportunity to ask questions to the respondent and comment on the thesis,
- thank the participants and declare the public defense completed.
After the public defense, the chair of the public defense must
- hand over documentation for examination protocol (Form 5:7 Examination protocol for public defense of doctoral thesis) and any other information to the examining committee.
- ensure that the examining committee appoints a chairman within the group. The chair of the public defense then leaves the meeting.
- check that the examination protocol is complete and signed.
- be responsible for the signed examination protocol from the meeting being handed over to the University's Registry Officer for registration and administration.