Common Panel Questions
Panellists ask predictable questions. Prepare for the canonical 12 and you will handle 80% of any defence. This lesson lists them with model answers.
The Canonical 12
| # | Question | What They Are Really Checking |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Why did you choose this topic? | Genuine motivation, beneficiary alignment |
| 2 | What is your gap in the literature? | Critical reading of related work |
| 3 | How did you derive your objectives? | SMART thinking, traceability |
| 4 | Why this methodology? | Justification, fit with problem |
| 5 | How did you validate requirements? | User involvement, evidence |
| 6 | What architectural alternatives did you consider? | Trade-off thinking |
| 7 | How will you scale it? | Awareness of non-functional concerns |
| 8 | What is the biggest risk? | Honest risk awareness |
| 9 | Where could the data be wrong? | Data integrity, sources of bias |
| 10 | How does this affect the beneficiary? | Impact, change management |
| 11 | What would you do differently next time? | Reflection |
| 12 | What is next? | Vision beyond defence |
Answer Frame
For every question:
- Restate the question briefly.
- Give the headline answer in one sentence.
- Support with one piece of evidence (figure, table, finding).
- Acknowledge limit or alternative.
What Trips Students Up
| Trigger | How To Avoid |
|---|---|
| A panellist disagrees with your finding | Thank them, restate the evidence, offer to revise |
| You don't know an acronym they used | Ask for clarification - never bluff |
| Two panellists give conflicting advice | Note both; agree to consult adviser |
| You realise an error mid-answer | Pause, correct, continue - panellists respect candour |
Discussion
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