THESIS WRITING BY DR SHASHWAT JANI

Thesis WritingDr. Shashwat Jani.

M. S. ( Obs – Gyn )Diploma in Advance Laparoscopy.

Consultant Assistant Professor,Smt. N.H.L. Municipal Medical College.

Sheth V. S. General Hospital , Ahmedabad.Mobile : 99099 44160.

E-mail : [email protected]

Selection of a topic for researchThesisGuide’s role Time managementReview of literatureBibliography

Thesis Writing

May 2, 2023 Dr Shashwat Jani 9909944160

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Thesis – Definition and Scope

‘ A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for

an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's

research and findings. ‘

Scope:All university pg medical degree as well as

MCI.Consider research or thesis work an

obligatory requirement.Physician’s role as researcher.Appraisal/utilization of new knowledge to

improve clinical knowledge.


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How a dissertation conducted ?

A postgraduate conducts research on a problem relevant to medical specialty under the guidance of Faculty Members and submits a protocol/synopsis at the end of 1st year and the final dissertation at the end of 2½ years.

Basic purpose of research is to:

Prevent Disease

Promote Health

Ref :- RK Pillai et al,The significance of research in PG education ...[Clinical epidemiology& Global health 2015]

Ideal : have a clinical Epidemiological Dept.

Voluminous clinical material on University archives.

Careful documentation of clinical information

SELECTION OF A TOPIC

• Choice of subject of interest.• Choice of guide

accordingly.• Help of biostatistics

dept. and guide – discuss.• Topic with present

day significance.

Eg:-Good choice – Eg: Doppler study in 1st and 2nd trimester of

pregnancy in predicting perinatal outcome. Bad choice – Eg: Umbilical coiling index as a predictor

of perinatal outcome. Already well evaluated [obsolete].


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Who Selects The Thesis Topic ?GUIDE or STUDENT ?


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On many occasions guide suggest some topics with better understanding, knowing very well the facilities available in the Laboratory / Hospitals.

The student has also important role in accepting what has been suggested,

Impracticable outdated ideas of guides is catastrophic both to the students and to the department.


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CONFLICTS IN GUIDE AND STUDENT RELATIONS


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• A non committed students and a irrational guides are the real areas of conflict what we see in the working environment .

• Today’s youth too are intelligent wise and well informed they can understand strengths and weakness of

the guides in few days of joining the Department . • Even guides should practice the policy of Humble

to learn and wise to teach .


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• Obviously your external examiners will read the thesis.

• They will be experts in the general field of your thesis but, on the exact topic of your thesis, you are the world expert.

Keep this in mind: You should write to make the topic clear to

a reader, who has not spent most of the last three years thinking about it.

Some journals which may help you while searching for topic :

Indian Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecological research American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecological research Asian Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. BJOG-an international Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Journal of the federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology International journal of Reproduction. International Journal of South Asian Federation of Obstetrics &

Gynecologist ( JOSAFOG) IOSR Journals-International Organization of Scientific Research. Journal or PG Gynecology & Obstetrics.

PubMed/MEDLINE from the NLM LexisNexis Academic Opposing Viewpoint Resource Center from Gale Academic Search Complete from EBSCOhost Annual Reviews Science Citation Index from Thomson Web of

ScienceICTRP – Search Portal

Net Sites / Portals & Search Engines

Pubmed’s journal catalog

Medknow (list of journals)

Directory of Indian Medical Sites. http:/www.indianmedicalsites.in/

Directory of Open Access Journals

Ref: - www.qmed.org.in ‘Resources for you’ ‘QMed’s learning resources’

Other useful resources:

Clinical trials need clearance from IEC / IRB.Clearance letter from IEC mandatory for

each research proposal involving questionnaire based surveys or animal study.

Ref:- Nuremberg code of ethics 1947.Helsinki Declaration (I) 1975.

Institutional Ethics Committee / Review

Board


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WHAT YOU CHOOSE FOR DISSERTATION

Do remember easier topics difficult to work with Do never select an outdated work, as you have to

remain in the Profession for > 4 decades Your desertion is the reflection of your hands on

experience, Avoid topics which do not give adequate and

modern skills

Questions you must have asked when you have chosen the topic for your study

· What is the problem? · What is the relevance of this problem? · What information is already available? · What do you hope to achieve by your study? · What additional data are needed to meet the objectives? · How these data are collected? · Is it ethical to conduct the study in the way you want to

do? · How these collected data are going to be analyzed? · What is the expected outcome and how much it is useful?


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Guide’s Role

Requisites:Good clinician having similar interests (similar to

topic of research)Sufficient experienceResearch orientedPreferably present in the department

IGNORANCE IN METHODOLOGY LEADS TO POOR RESEARCH QUALITY

Guide’s Role

Documentation should be given importance in practice

Guide also should attend refresher courses

Questionnaire preparation and data analysis to be elaborate.

Regular assessment of research work.

The Dissertation will be prepared / written along the following headings:

1. Title Page2. Certificate with signatures 3. Declaration by PG 4. Certificate of Ethics Committee 5. Acknowledgement 6. Contents

1. Introduction 2. Aims and Objectives of the study 3. Summary of Literature Review 4. Methods and material 5. Results / Observations 6. Discussion 7. Conclusion 8. Bibliography / References 9. Annexure

Contents


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COVER PAGE WITH UNIVERSITY LOGO & A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE UNIVERSITY OFFICE BUILDING OR AS ADVISED

• The title: In upper case, Arial, Font Size 16 • Name of the candidate: Sentence case, Name followed by

qualifying degree, Arial, Font Size 14 • Names of Guides: Names followed by degrees (standard short

forms, e.g., MD Ph.D. ), Arial, Font Size 14 • Name of the institution: In upper case, Arial, Font Size 16 • Can covers be different colors? *****

NOTE :***** indicates topics which the dissertation committee may especially like to re-evaluate


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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS…• It is very important to be clear who may be

acknowledged when writing a thesis – as compared to compiling a manuscript…

• OBVIOUS INCLUSIONS: • Guides, Dissertation committee members • Assistance received for laboratory tests, statistical analysis, compilation,

library searches • Sources of funding both Institutional (to be mentioned in all cases),

other funds

OPTIONAL (for a thesis not a manuscript)

Family and friends


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THE MAIN SECTIONS…..A FEW DETAILS :

• Each Section begins on a fresh page • Section Titles should be in Times New

Roman font, Font size 14, centered, bold, upper case • After each Section Title the first Para of

each Section should be left aligned & not be indented; subsequent pares are to be indented


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REVIEW OF THE RELEVANT LITERATURE

This Section should contain relevant references from :

1. Traditional texts (ending with a clear link to experimental research)

2. Early publications (e.g., books, Indexed Journals ) 3. Recent publications – preferably publications, also

books 4. Tabulate the most relevant references at the end

of the Section


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ResultsThis main Section should be very concise It should include – what was found – mentioning the level

of significance and other information considered relevant depending on the test used

Mention the effect size Tables Graphs Information in Tables & Graphs should NOT duplicate each

other


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RESULTS, TABLES

• Tables should be numbered in Arabic Numerals • Each Table should have a comprehensive heading –

this should begin on the next line after the Table No. Headings should be in Times NR (like the rest of the text), Font size 12, Bold, Sentence case

• Each Table should indicate significant changes with asterisks

• The level of significance (e.g., * = p<.05…) should be mentioned below the Table, Times NR, Font size 12, Bold


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RESULTS, FIGURES

Figures should not duplicate data given in Tables Figures should be numbered in Arabic numerals Every Figure should have a legend written below it

in Times NR, font size 12, bold, sentence case The units for all numbers should be provided in SI units (e.g., length – meter (m), time – second

(s), frequency – cycles per second (Hz)


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DISCUSSION

• This is a very important Section! • It should attempt to describe what the study found &

possible reasons for the findings • How the findings differ/are similar to those described

earlier – and reasons for differences if any • Obvious drawbacks of the study design (etc.) and how

these could have influenced the outcome • Implications of the findings • Applications of the finding • Sub-sections depending on variables studied, integrating

the discussion on each at the end


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SUMMARY

This Section should ideally ‘Stand Alone’ – if anyone reads it they would know why the study was done, what was done, what was found..

It should include: 1. The Background (1-2 sentences) 2. The Aim 3. The Methods 4. Results 5. Implications 6. Drawbacks 7. Directions for future research

Training on research methodology Approval of preliminary protocol Regular review of progress on

research Early identification of any obstacles Resolution of problems

ENSURE THAT FINAL SUBMISSION MEETS MINIMUM REQUIRED STANDARDS

Dissertation Review Committee

Issues not resolved at the department level to be brought

to the office of the principal.

Role Of Principal Of The Institution

Name of the PG student Date handed in Research Title Aim and Objective Background including summary of key findings from the

Literature Review Study design Setting Study patients Measurements Interventions Study duration

Preliminary protocol (Form 1)

• Main outcome variables • Statistical applications • Consent • Costing • Remarks • Signature of student • Signature of the Guide / Co-Guide • Name of the Guide / Co-Guide • Receiving signature and date: • Name of the person receiving:

Form 1 Contd...


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GANTT CHART A chart in which a series of horizontal

lines shows the amount of work done or production completed in certain periods of time in relation to the amount planned for those periods.

GANTT chart for research and thesis (Form 2)

Name of the PG studentReport for quarterResearch titleProgressObstaclesAdditional support neededSignature of the studentDate submittedReceiving signature and date

Thesis progress report (Form 3)

PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT IS MANDATORY

Time Management

7 MonthsBefore Exam

FINAL DRAFT DISSERTATION

6 Months Before Exam

FINAL DISSERTATION

6 Months

PRELIMINARY PROTOCOL WITH GANTT CHART

Every 3 Months

QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT

3 MonthsDRAFT PROPOSAL

Assessment of a body of research that addresses the research question.

It throws light onWhat we knowWhat we don’t know, but may identifyWhy we did the study

Review of literature

Steps of the research journey:

ITERATIVE process1 •Rethink

2 •Refine

3 •Rework on the Literature Review

Frame a question.Search relevant sources.Manage search results.Synthesize results.Write an assessment.

Def:- List of the sources used to get information. It is included at the end of the report, on the last page (or last few pages).

Keep track of each book, encyclopedia, or article you use while reading and taking notes.

Prepare preliminary draft bibliography by listing all sources on a separate paper. (full title, author, place of publication, publisher, and date of publication for each source).

Bibliography

For final bibliography, list your sources (texts, articles, interviews, and so on) in alphabetical order by authors' last names.

Sources that don't have authors (encyclopedias, movies) should be alphabetized by title.


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An Ideal Thesis Should …

• Have ‘sound stuff’ • Be well written • Be presented well • Be accurate, complete


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BE BRAVE TO DEFEND YOUR THESIS / DISSERTATION

Don’t panic You’re probably the expert on this topic by now! Your examiners may not be experts in your area of

work however you are Your examiners are human They’ve sat in your seat They will help you find what changes (if any) are

needed to make this the required quality


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What are examiners looking for…

Review of literature

• •Is the literature relevant? • •Is the review critical or just descriptive? • •Is it comprehensive? • •Does it link to the methodology in the thesis? • •Does it summarize the essential aspects?

Methodology • •Is there a clear hypothesis? • •Are precautions taken against bias? • •Are the limitations identified? • •Is the data collected appropriately? • •Is the methodology justified?


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What are examiners looking for…?

• Presentation of results • •Have the hypotheses in fact been tested? • •Are the results shown to support the hypothesis? • •Is the data properly analyzed? • •Are the results presented clearly? • •Are patterns identified and summarized?

• Discussion and Conclusions • •Are the limits of the research identified? • •Are the main points to emerge identified? • •Are links made to the literature? • •Is there theoretical development? • •Are the speculations well grounded?

May 2, 2023 Dr Shashwat Jani. 9909944160.

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THESIS WRITING BY DR SHASHWAT JANI

Health & Medicine