Handling question time

Preparing for question time is as important as preparing the material for your talk.

While Confirmation Committee members are always interested in the content of a student's report and presentation, many look to question time as the best opportunity to assess a candidate's abilities and depth of knowledge.

When rehearsing your talk with a lab group or other postgrads, invite questions and take note of those fielded.

  • Some questions may indicate a gap or point of confusion in your talk. For example, 'what is the relationship between ...'
  • Others will ask you to expand on a particular point or explain something in more detail (open questions). For example, 'could you say more about ...' 
  • Some questions are asked because the listener missed a point or wants to check his/her understanding (closed questions). For example, 'what technique did you propose to use for ...'

After rehearsal, decide whether the information elicited by the questions is so important that it needs to be included in the body of the presentation. Don't try to include everything, however.

During question-time on the day of your presentation, it's worth keeping the following in mind:

  • Listen attentively; paraphrase the question or ask for it to be repeated if necessary
  • Decide whether you are being asked an open question - which gives you the opportunity to expand and elaborate - or a closed one - which requires only restatement or clarification 
  • Answer honestly and stay within the limits of your knowledge - your audience will know immediately and not be sympathetic if you try to bluff 
  • Maintain control - if necessary by reminding your audience that the project is still in development. For example: 
    • 'I can't answer that question at this point in the research. I'd hope to have an answer in 6 months time...'  
    • 'I don't know. It's something I'll be looking into but I'll have to get back to you on that one.'
  • Be honest in your answers
  • Use the confirmation process as a way of getting support and advice that will help you continue along the journey