Unlikely. I think you'd have to publish substantially more material from your thesis to deter them. Hypothetical publishers might ask you to re-write the material a bit so that it could be described as 'drawing on X chapter in Y book', rather than saying it was published as is in another source.

I'm still fairly zen with 8 days to go. I have bits to tidy up, but overall I think it's doable and I'm just SO READY for it to be gone.

I'm in this 'Zen' place too and I have only 3 weeks to go. I've been editing the whole thesis for about 5 weeks now and, although I still have LOTS of referencing, proof reading and formatting to do, I'm strangely calm.

I just want my beast to be gone.

Apparently it's a good sign. 'The Thesis Whisperer' says 'PhD Detachment' is necessary at the end:

Congratulations, Dr. David!

Yes. You have to assume people have some knowledge and will ask for clarification if they need it. No-one could present anything in a reasonable amount of time if they had to go into full details of every aspect.

Congratulations, Dr. Swetchha! You're home free. :p(up)

Congratulations, Dr. Neuron! Well done. :)

Hi LD,

I can imagine how you're feeling. My initial thought was that perhaps he is aware that you could/should apply but, he most likely is involved in the interview process (unless it's a very large department) and so he may not want to seem like he is giving you false hope. Because, as you note, they may want someone with more experience, etc and the decision will be made by a large number of people. I would mention to him that you're thinking of applying, adding what you said about thinking it would be good experience, but making it clear that you don't assume you have an automatic advantage because you're in the department. Well, I think that's what I would do anyway. It's certainly not fun bringing these things up though.

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Thanks all for your responses. That makes sense and seems more fair; that the thesis should stand on its own merit. I think I got the wrong impression when people mentioned publications improving a thesis's chances of passing, since it suggested the work was critically sound if others were willing to publish it already. But, as Smoobles said, you can simply reference yourself in that case.

Just a simple question, but I haven't come across this on the forum/in books. I take it your internal and external examiners look at your CV in conjunction with your thesis, to see publications/research experience? Or would your supervisor just send your CV to potential externals when trying to get them onboard?

Many thanks. :-)

Thank you both for your replies. That does seem fairer, I think.
I guess the external is going to be crucial so! I'm not at that point yet, but my area of research is very niche so there is probably only two people who would know it well. Fingers crossed one of them is willing!

I initially thought that the internal and external did more or less the same job, but I've recently read an article or two that suggest the external (as more of an 'expert' on the subject) will lead the Viva questioning and has greater influence on the outcome result. Is the internal really just there to 'ensure the standards of the university are met'? Even if that is the case, I would have thought these standards would require them to be very active in the Viva.

For those of you who have gone through the process, did you notice a large difference? Did your internal seem to be less engaged? Is it reasonably common for internals to have relatively little knowledge of your subject area? for example, if it is a small department would they examine based on whose 'turn' it is...

Thanks in advance for any insights you may have. :-)

Interesting thread. I can see both sides of it, because even though I would like a slightly more personal relationship with my supervisor, every time she asks me about something other than research I completely clam up.

Like Tt_dan (I'm guessing), I am naturally a private person and am VERY bad at small talk - even when I'm trying. It takes me quite a while to become comfortable around someone - especially when they are in a superior position to me. I just hope my supervisor perceives me as shy and not robotic!

Anyway, I think that it generally works in your favour if you can let them 'get to know you' a bit better, so I would try to make the effort. But, your sup may well take your hint and leave things as they are.

Well done, Stressed. Enjoy your feeling of freedom! :)

Ha. There's a PhD in this, I'm sure.
Can't say I've noticed!