What it's like to do a Master's thesis with me (Ted Pedersen)
Me thesis
description
Transcript of Me thesis
Dr Md. Yunus Additional Professor
&Coordinator, Medical Education Unit, NEIGRIHMS, Shillong
PLANNING A THESISFOR POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENT
&HOW TO WRITE A DISSERTATION
A Dictionary meaning of a Thesis
• The·sis (thss)n. pl. the·ses (-sz)
• 1. A proposition that is maintained by argument
• 2. A dissertation advancing an original point of view as a result
of research, especially as a requirement for an
academic degree
• 3. A hypothetical proposition, especially one put forth without
proof
• 4. The first stage of the Hegelian dialectic process
“Thesis” & “Dissertation”
• Words “Thesis” & “Dissertation” are used interchangeably
• Thesis is much shorter than Dissertation (1 year versus 3-4 years)
• Thesis & Doctoral Dissertation have different objectives
• Objective of Thesis is to teach & train a PG student in Research
Methodology & in Thesis process is more important than outcome
• Whereas in Doctoral Dissertation (PhD) there is bound to be a
new outcome & it reflects the critical thinking of the candidate on the
research topic
What is Dissertation?
• “A formal, often lengthy treatise or discourse, especially
one written by a candidate for a doctoral degree”
• “It is an exercise to train a PG student to plan, execute,
evaluate, write & report a scientific project”
• “It is an in depth study of a particular topic which
contributes new information & knowledge in the field”
Why to do a Dissertation?
AS FAR AS POST GRADUATE DEGREE COURSE IS
CONCERNED THE TERM
‘DISSERTATION’ IS USED INSTEAD OF ‘THESIS’
As per the guidelines of MCI, many
universities/Institute in India including
NEIGRIHMS have made Dissertation a
mandatory part of PG degree curriculum
Requirements for a PG dissertation
• 1. Competent guide &
• A determined student
• 2. Adequate time
• 3. Instrument, Equipments, Consumable &
Drugs with technical know-how to use them
The Dissertation
• 1. Teaches the fundamentals of Research
Methodology & stimulates interest in research
• 2. Helps to develop scientific attitude
• 3. Teaches to probe in depth of a topic
• 4. Teaches the critical appraisal of the medical
literature
• 5. Encourages to develop special technical skills
The Dissertation Cont..
• 6. Encourages the students to use library & electronic
medical data bases
• 7. Contributes new knowledge
• 8. Teaches publishing of a scientific data
• 9. Satisfies the academic /scientific instincts of PG
students
• 10. Brings about a behavioural change in a student
Role of Postgraduate Students
• They must realize its importance
• Get truly involved in their projects
• Work sincerely & honestly to make use of this best
opportunity of learning
• Wrong notion amongst the students & inability to
relate the need of dissertation with their clinical goal
leads to malpractice like cooking the data, statistics, &
copying from other sources
Role of Guides & Responsibility of Faculty Mentors
• Supervision & guidance of the candidate at all stages of the dissertation
• Helping from all angles to conduct a proper study
• • The faculty mentor should make every effort to orient the student to a
practical problem that can be addressed within the available time
• 1. background of the problem being investigated
• 2. hypothesis that will be examined
• 3. specific aims of the study
• 4. methods that will be used including details of the specific design of the
study
• 5. selected references
Submission of Dissertation Protocol
• It should be submitted at the end of six months after admission in the course
• Protocol in essence should consist of:
• a. Introduction & objectives of the research project
• b. Brief review of literature
• c. Suggested materials and methods, & (scheme of work)
• d. Statistician should be consulted at the time of selection of groups, number
of cases & method of study
• e. References
Where and How to Start?Selection of the topic
• 1). Idea: Invariably comes from the guide
• The guide is an experienced person with the knowledge of
the research
• The limitations of the facilities available in the institution
• Moreover it is a maiden experience for the PG student
Guide for Dissertation
• 1. Chief guide will be from the parent
department
• 2. Co-guide(s) will be from the parent
department or from other disciplines
related to
2) Formulation of Hypothesis
• Hypothesis is nothing but an idea, which is yet to be
proved
• example a Research hypothesis can be formulated
• “Epidural Ketamine in sub-anaesthetic doses provides effective
post operative pain relief following upper abdominal surgeries”
Formulation of Hypothesis Cont..
• ‘Null Hypothesis’: also known as statistical
hypothesis states exactly opposite of the research
hypothesis
• eg: “Epidural Ketamine in subanaestheic doses does
not provide postoperative pain relief following upper
abdominal surgeries”
• Null hypothesis is the one that will be tested by the
statistical significance tests & is either rejected or not
rejected
Useful hints for the selection of a topic:
• 1) Avoid topics on which dissertation has already been carried out in
the previous 5 years, in the same institution
• 2) As far as possible select a topic, which requires minimal help from
other departments (equipments or personnel)
• If unavoidable official appointment of a co-guide from the
collaborating department will be useful
Objectives
• These are more specific & relate directly to research question
• They may be divided into two types:Primary objectives (bound to be achieved)
Secondary objectives (by the way)
Defining an objective
• The objectives have to be simple, clear, precise and should be only
one or two
• Please keep in mind the limitation of available time
• At this stage only vague objective can be formed
• To define a clear objective more information may be needed
• Next thing is to search for available literature on the topic
• A thorough reading of Anaesthesia/Pharmacology textbooks on
Ketamine will be helpful
• The cross reference from the original articles should be gathered
Defining an objective Cont..
• In our example the objective will be:
• “To study the analgesic efficacy of sub-
anaesthetic doses of epidural Ketamine for post
operative pain relief in patients undergoing upper
abdominal surgeries
SMART Objectives• S Specific• M Measurable• A Achievable• R Relevant• T Time-bound
Difference between Aims and Objectives
• There is no real difference between an Aim (Goal) and an
Objective
• Aims point out the general purpose of the study, whereas
Objectives spell out specifically what one intends to do in the
study
• eg: Aim is to study the analgesic efficacy of epidural Ketamine
• Objective is to compare the duration of pain relief, pain score
(VAS) in Ketamine group Vs. Saline (Placebo) group
• In any study objectives must be justifiable & the PG
student must be able to defend them
Doing a Literature Review
Review of Literature (ROL)
• Sources: Books: * Textbooks & Reference books
• * Journals Index Medicus • * Electronic Database: Medline
Literature Review as a Process
ROL reveals
• One should also find out whether similar studies have been
conducted or published elsewhere, to avoid duplication
• Now the objective can be defined with precision
• If the literature search reveals that the idea has already been
tested by many, one has to drop that idea and go for another
one
• If it is found that the other studies have missed an important
aspect, your study can be modified to explore that aspect
PROTOCOL - PROFORMA
• A Proforma consisting of the details of the patient,
details of the methodology, technical details,
observations (in the convenient format for recording),
complications & all the relevant details needed for the
study have to be prepared by the students with, of
course the help of guide/co-guide for approval by
Dissertation committee
Approval by Ethical committee
• Any scientific study epidemiological microbiological,
pharmacological, pathological, clinical, nonclinical which involves
human subjects, requires clearance from ethical committee
• There is no clear line to demarcate what is ethical and what is
non-ethical
• A self-test such as asking oneself - Would I conduct this study on
myself or my child (or parent)
• This is one way of solving this dilemma
• If the answer is ‘yes‘ go ahead & plan the study
Consent & Logbook
• Consent of all Patients enrolled in the study is very
essential
• The Performa are to be Xeroxed and kept ready in the place
of work and one copy is to be utilized for one patient
• A separate logbook for all the cases of the dissertation has
to be maintained by the students
• A logbook is the only document, which can bailout a student
if the credibility of his dissertation is challenged
PILOT STUDYRegistration of the Dissertation
• Once all the requirements for the study are satisfied,
perform the pilot study always in the physical
presence of the guide
• Some or many of the unanticipated difficulties /
problems/ complications may be encountered
EXECUTION - Useful hints
• * Be meticulous in recording the data
• * Interact with the guide/co guide as frequently as possible (at least once
a month)
• * The dissertation team (candidate, guide and co-guide) should meet at
least once in 3 months & quarterly report should be submitted to the
Departmental Dissertation Committee
• * Collection of data should be complete in one year
• * Consult a statistician for scientific analysis of the study including for
calculation of sample size at the beginning of the study itself
• * Six months would sufficient for writing the dissertation
• * Dissertation should be submitted six months prior to the examination as
per University
Details to be worked out before execution
• 1) Study design & methods of elimination of errors, in the study
• 2) Sample size & number of groups
• 3) Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
• 4) Technical details
• 5) Parameters to be measured
• 6) Data collection, organization & analysis
• 7) Statistical methods
Strategies to Eliminate Errors
• Errors may creep into a study at any time, even during interpretation of results
• They can be: • * Random or Systematic • * Due to bias or oversight
• Error elimination can be done by: • * Controls • * Randomization • * Cross over designs • * Placebo • * Blinding
STUDY DESIGNS
• i) Prospective: - Data collected from the follow up of patients/ volunteers over a period of
time. Look forward after the exposure (drug /intervention) to observe the outcome
• ii) Retrospective: Data collected from past records. Look back with the aim of finding a
cause.
• i) Descriptive: - Describe the characteristics of a disease in relation to a person, place or
time. They are mainly epidemiological studies necessary for planning of preventive/ control
/eradication programs
• Three sub types viz. Correlational, Case studies, Cross sectional surveys.
• ii) Analytical: - A hypothesis is tested
• Two sub types –i) Observational (Case Control & Cohort)
• ii) Interventional (Experimental) Clinical trials
SAMPLE SIZE ( SS) • Denotes the number of subjects to
be used in the study
• A correct sample/size is the real
strength of a study, the results of
which can be applied to a population
• Incorrect sample size will lead to
• i) Wrong Conclusion
• ii) Poor quality research
• iii) Wastage of resources & invite
• iv) Ethical problem
• Factors affecting sample size
• 1) Prevalence rate of the factor
• 2) Degree of difference expected
• 3) Degree of variation among
subjects
• 4) Desired level of significances
• 5) Power of the study
• 6) Drop out cases
• 7) Non compliance to treatment
• 8) Resources available
SAMPLE SIZE ( SS) Cont..
• The correct method to calculate the sample size of
a study is to use one of formulae depending upon
type of a study and study design
• One of the commonest formula often used.
• n= 4pq/ d² {n= Sample size, p= Prevalence of a
factor in the population, q= (1-p) / (100-p), d= error
allowed}
ANATOMY OF A DISSERTATION
• * Title
• * Introduction including aims & objectives
• * Review of the literature
• * Material and methods
• * Results
• * Discussion
• * Summary & conclusion
• * References
• * Acknowledgement
• * Certificate
The Title
• It should be concise
• but informative
• short
• active
• & brisk
• No abbreviations are to be used
• The title must indicate in fewest possible words the
• i) objective of the study
• ii) the type of study
• iii) the place where the study was conducted & the duration of the study
Introduction
• Avoid Long preambles in the introduction
• Should answer why did you start?
• The introduction should include (in 200-500 words)
the purpose of the study, the hypothesis being tested
& the methods employed for the study
• Need for the study has to funneled down
• What is known of a topic through What‘s not
known to identify the unexplored aspect of a topic
Review Of Literature
• Strictly pertinent references are to be written
• Critical approach to the reliability of previous work has to
be performed
• A retrospective ramble is boring & so – use your
discrimination in including various studies
• Evolve a consistent theme in the narration
• Avoid data / conclusion from the work being reported, in
the review
Material & Methods
• It should contain that much information (& no
more) for a competent worker to repeat your work
• It should contain sample size, sampling procedure
selection criteria, randomization, blinding if any,
data collection procedure, instrument, &
investigation
Results
• This is usually the shortest part of the dissertation & should precisely
state your findings, analysis plan, statistical measures employed,
confidence interval, level of significance etc
• Present the data wherever possible in the form of
• a) Graphics, histogram, bar diagram, pie chart, frequency polygon
• b) Illustrations
• c) Photographs
Discussion
• The discussion should contain
• i) Present principles, relationships & generalizations shown by
the results
• ii) Point out exceptions or lack of correction
• iii) Indicate agreement or contrast with previously published work
• iv) State the implications of your results
• v) Give reasons for your conclusions
• vi).Mention limitation of your work
• vii).Indicate the scope for further work
The Summary & conclusion
• The summary should concisely describe,
(within 150-200 words)
• i) the problem
• ii) the solution
• iii) the principle conclusion
• In the summary, avoid all experimental details
& references to previous work
References: References should be written in the Vancouver style
• Vancouver Style:
• References are numbered according to their appearance in the
text
• The first author cited in the text is reference number 1 the second
author cited is reference number 2 and so on
• These numbers are written as Superscripts in the text at their
relevant places and enlisted at the end serially
Certificate
• Certificate from
• 1) Self (declaration)
• 2) Guide & Co-guide
• 3) Head of the department must be included in the
dissertation
• The head of the institution must countersign the
dissertation
Submission of thesis
• The thesis shall relate to the
candidate own work on a
specific research problem or a
series of clinical case studies in
accordance with the approved
plan
Evaluation of thesis
• The thesis shall be referred by the University evaluation
to the Examiners appointed by the University
• The examiners will report independently to the Controller
of Examinations and recommend whether the
Dissertation is:
• a) approved
• b) returned for improvements as suggested or
• c) rejected ( reasons for rejection should be detailed)
• The thesis shall be deemed to have been accepted when
it has been approved by a minimum of three examiners;
one internal and two external examiners, who shall not
be the examiners for theory and clinical examinations
Evaluation of thesis Cont..
• The thesis shall be deemed to have been accepted when it has been
approved by at least two examiners
• Where improvements have been suggested by two or more of the
examiners, the candidate shall be required to re-submit the thesis, after
making the requisite improvements for evaluation
• When a thesis is rejected by the examiners, it shall be returned to the
candidate who shall have to write it again
• The second thesis, as and when submitted shall be treated as a fresh
thesis and processed
• Acceptance of thesis submitted by the candidate shall be a pre-condition for
his/her admission to the written, oral and practical/clinical part of the
examination
Acknowledgement
• Acknowledge without fail
• 1) all persons who have helped directly or
indirectly
• 2) source of funds if any
Time management
• Phase—I (0-6 Months)
• •Problem identification
• •Review of Literature
• •Proforma
• •Pilot study
• •Synopsis
• Phase II --- (7-18 Months)
• Data Collection
• Phase III – (19-24 Months)
• Analysis
• Discussion
• Publication
• The thesis or dissertation
certainly has an impact on
that future
• Trying to figure out how
your topic will help or hurt
is the most time-
consuming part of
narrowing down the
choices
Has thesis has any impact on your future ???
• Some guides / mentors are too adamant,
stick to their outdated knowledge
creating conflicts in selecting the topics
and completing the thesis.
• Choose modern topics which can serve
your progress in your career
• Best option remains with guides, advisers &
mentors, every research is a progress in
Science
• By repeating a grand old ideas will
stagnate departments
•
Go forward with research – be a master of future rather than creating conflicts
Do not get disappointed if your thesis cannot meet the academic standards
Our research in medicine is uncertain do not plan thesis for explosive ideas
Books for Further Readings
• A practical approach to PG dissertation by R. Raveendran. Jay pee Publishers, 1997.
• WHO Health Research Methodology ; A guide for training in Research Methods.
• Oxford University press 1993.
• International committee of Medical Journal Editors. Uniform requirements for
• Manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals. N.Eng. J Med; 324: 424-8‖ 22
• An Epidemiologic Approach to Reproductive Health. CDC Atlanta, Georgia,
• USA World Health Organization Geneva, Switawrland. Editor Phyllis. A Wingo
• & others. 1994.
Created by Dr Md. Yunusfor Learning & Development of Post Graduate Medical Student
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.neigrihms.nic.in