Defend or Die Trying
Your routine PhD defense transforms into an academic nightmare as Professor Blackwood, known for ending careers, launches a surgical strike at your methodology. Three years of research, two major grants, and your entire academic future hang by a thread as the committee seems suspiciously coordinated in their attack. The air grows thick with tension as you realize this isn't just a defense - it's an academic execution.
Challenges
0
Survivors
0
Popularity
0
Difficulty
B1-B2
Scenario Overview
Your Role
Doctoral Candidate in Behavioral Economics
Conversation Partner
Professor Diana Blackwood, PhD Committee Chair
Setting
Modernist glass-walled conference room, 20th floor, harsh overhead lighting casting sharp shadows across polished steel and glass surfaces
Location
Williams School of Economics, Stanford University
Learning Objectives
Defend your sampling methodology without appearing defensive
Maintain professional composure while under direct attack
Demonstrate deep understanding of research limitations without invalidating results
About This Scenario
Your routine PhD defense transforms into an academic nightmare as Professor Blackwood, known for ending careers, launches a surgical strike at your methodology. Three years of research, two major grants, and your entire academic future hang by a thread as the committee seems suspiciously coordinated in their attack. The air grows thick with tension as you realize this isn't just a defense - it's an academic execution.
How It Starts
“Before we proceed further, I need to address a rather... disturbing pattern in your participant selection protocol. Your exclusion criteria appear to systematically bias toward positive results. Was this... intentional?”
This is how Professor Diana Blackwood, PhD Committee Chair's greeting will start.
Practice Details
Scenario ID
#1187
Category
General
Location Tag
Williams School of Economics, Stanford University
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