Defending a Thesis/Dissertation

论文/学位论文答辩

A graduate student is presenting their thesis or dissertation research to a committee of professors. This involves clearly articulating their project, defending their methodology and conclusions, and responding to challenging questions from the committee members.

一位研究生正在向教授委员会展示他们的论文或学位论文研究。这包括清晰地阐述他们的项目，捍卫他们的方法和结论，并回答委员会成员提出的挑战性问题。

对话

聆听并跟进对话

Presenter (Female)

Good morning, everyone. Thank you for being here. My dissertation research focuses on 'The Impact of Climate Change on Antarctic Krill Populations.'

大家早上好。谢谢大家的到来。我的学位论文研究聚焦于“气候变化对南极磷虾种群的影响”。

Professor 1 (Male)

Good morning. Thank you for that overview. Could you elaborate on your methodology for data collection in such a challenging environment?

早上好。感谢您的概述。您能详细说明一下在这种充满挑战的环境中进行数据收集的方法吗？

Presenter (Female)

Certainly, Professor. We primarily utilized a combination of acoustic surveys and net sampling. The acoustic data provided insights into spatial distribution, while net sampling allowed for a more detailed analysis of krill size and age structure.

当然，教授。我们主要结合使用了声学调查和拖网采样。声学数据提供了空间分布信息，而拖网采样则允许我们对磷虾的尺寸和年龄结构进行更详细的分析。

Professor 2 (Female)

Interesting. And how did you address potential biases in your sampling, particularly given the dynamic nature of krill swarms?

有意思。您是如何解决采样中可能存在的偏差的，特别是考虑到磷虾群的动态特性？

Presenter (Female)

That's a crucial point, Professor. We employed a stratified random sampling approach across different depths and times of day, aiming to minimize spatial and temporal biases. We also used statistical weighting to account for variations in sampling effort.

这是一个非常重要的问题，教授。我们采用了在不同深度和一天中不同时间进行分层随机抽样的方法，旨在最大程度地减少空间和时间上的偏差。我们还使用了统计加权来克服抽样努力的差异。

Professor 3 (Male)

Your findings suggest a significant decline in krill populations. What are the broader ecological implications of this trend, beyond just the krill themselves?

您的研究结果表明磷虾种群显著下降。这种趋势除了对磷虾本身，还有哪些更广泛的生态影响？

Presenter (Female)

The implications are profound, Professor. Krill are a keystone species in the Antarctic ecosystem. Their decline would inevitably impact predators like penguins, seals, and whales, potentially leading to cascading effects throughout the food web.

影响是深远的，教授。磷虾是南极生态系统中的关键物种。它们的减少将不可避免地影响企鹅、海豹和鲸鱼等捕食者，可能导致食物网中产生连锁反应。

Professor 1 (Male)

Thank you. Your presentation was very clear and your responses insightful. We will now take some time to deliberate.

谢谢。您的演讲非常清晰，回答也很有见地。我们现在将花一些时间进行讨论。

词汇

对话中的必备词汇和短语

dissertation

A long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially for a university degree like a master's or PhD. Use it when talking about advanced academic research.

关于特定主题的较长写作，尤其是像硕士或博士这样的大学学位。用于谈论高级学术研究时。

methodology

The methods used in a research study to collect and analyze data. It's a key term in academic presentations to describe how you conducted your work.

在研究中用于收集和分析数据的那些方法。它是学术演示中描述你如何开展工作的一个关键术语。

elaborate

To explain something in more detail. In presentations, say 'Could you elaborate on...' to politely ask for more information.

更详细地解释某事。在演示中，说‘Could you elaborate on...’以礼貌地请求更多信息。

biases

Systematic errors that can affect the fairness or accuracy of research results. Discussing biases shows critical thinking in academic defenses.

可能影响研究结果公平性或准确性的系统性错误。讨论偏差显示了学术辩护中的批判性思维。

implications

The possible effects or consequences of something. Use it to talk about the broader meaning of your findings, like 'What are the implications?'

某事物的可能影响或后果。用于谈论你发现的更广泛含义，例如 'What are the implications?'

keystone species

A species that has a large impact on its ecosystem, like krill in Antarctica. It's useful in environmental science discussions to highlight important roles in nature.

一种对生态系统影响很大的物种，就像南极的磷虾一样。在环境科学讨论中，用于强调自然界中的重要角色。

profound

Very great or intense, often used for deep effects. Say 'The implications are profound' to emphasize the seriousness of your research outcomes.

非常伟大或强烈，通常用于描述深远的影响。说'其含义是深刻的'来强调您的研究结果的严肃性。

关键句型

需要记住和练习的重要短语

Good morning, everyone. Thank you for being here.

This is a polite greeting to start a formal presentation. It's useful for opening academic events; the structure uses simple present tense for thanks and shows respect to the audience.

这是一个用于开始正式演讲的礼貌问候。它在开启学术活动时很有用；结构使用简单现在时来表达感谢，并向听众展示尊重。

Could you elaborate on your methodology for data collection?

A question to ask for more details in a discussion. Useful in Q&A sessions; it uses 'could you' for polite requests and focuses on key research elements like methodology.

一个用于在讨论中询问更多细节的问题。在问答环节很有用；它使用'could you'来礼貌地请求，并关注像方法论这样的关键研究元素。

Certainly, Professor. We primarily utilized a combination of acoustic surveys and net sampling.

A polite way to respond and explain methods. 'Certainly' agrees positively; 'primarily utilized' means mainly used, showing formal language for describing research techniques.

一种礼貌的回应和解释方法的方式。'Certainly'表示积极同意；'primarily utilized'的意思是主要使用，展示了描述研究技术的正式语言。

That's a crucial point, Professor.

Acknowledges an important question respectfully. Useful in defenses to build rapport; 'crucial' means very important, and addressing the person by title adds formality.

尊重地承认一个重要问题。在辩护中用于建立 rapport；'crucial' 意思是非常重要，用职称称呼增加正式性。

The implications are profound, Professor.

Introduces the deeper effects of findings. Great for concluding sections; 'profound' emphasizes depth, and starting with the subject makes it direct and academic.

引入发现的更深层影响。非常适合结尾部分；'profound' 强调深度，以主语开头使其直接且学术化。

Your presentation was very clear and your responses insightful.

Positive feedback at the end of a defense. Useful for professors' comments; 'insightful' means showing deep understanding, praising clarity and depth in responses.

辩护结束时的积极反馈。有助于教授的评论；'insightful'意为显示深刻的理解，赞美回应中的清晰度和深度。