Dissertation Title Synopsis and Introduction Dr B Ravi

Dissertation Title, Synopsis and Introduction Dr B Ravi Chander Principal and Prof & Head(Pediatrics) MVJMC & RH Hoskote, Bangalore

Definition • A dissertation/ thesis – Statement or theory supported by arguments – submitted for candidature for a degree or professional qualification • Thesis – Intellectual Proposition • Dissertation - discourse • Thesis is used as part of a Bachelors or Masters course • Dissertation is normally applied to a Doctorate

The Need for Dissertation • A Prerequisite to qualify for writing the MD/MS/DNB exam • Training the Post graduates in research methodology

The Need for Dissertation The real purpose • • Developing systematic problem solving Perceive a problem State a hypothesis Collect relevant data Analyze the data Make interpretations Help in advancement of science Your first step in research methodology

Why Research ? Research is • A scientific and systematic search for pertinent information • Art of scientific investigation • A careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts • Systematized effort to gain new knowledge.

Why Research ? • To gain familiarity with a phenomenon (exploratory or formulative research) • To accurately portray characteristics of individual/ situation / group (descriptive research) • To determine frequency with which something occurs or associated with something else (diagnostic research) • To test a hypothesis of relationship between variables (hypothesis-testing research)

Students Perception • Never again • I had a mental breakdown • A pain in the neck • What will my guide say/comment • How many more revisions • What a waste of time and money • Why do they have it anyway? • It does not benefit anybody • It does not matter how I do it • Sheer wastage of time • I just need it for my degree • Thank God, it’s over

Dissertation Components • Define research problem • Review – concepts/ theories/ – previous research finding • • • Formulate hypotheses Design research Collect data Analyse data Interpret and report

Dissertation Components • • • Title Introduction Review of Literature Aims and Objectives Materials and Methods Statistical methods Results & Analysis Discussion Summary and Conclusions Bibliography/References

Title • The most important part… • The research question “If you have not asked a question, It is unlikely that you will find an answer” If your question is good, thesis will naturally fall in place

Title • Not too short, not too long • Precise • Clear • Mention type of the study

Synopsis • Dissertation Proposal ? – A brief summary of the major points of a written work • • • Trailer of your study Concise summary of your study 150 -250 words Should be complete in itself Not too detailed, give an overview Helps the reviewers/experts

Synopsis • Components of the Proposal – Title – Introduction – Review of literature – Aims and Objectives – Materials and Methods – References – Ethical cllearance – Statistician clearance

Abstract • It is the first section of the dissertation. • brief account of the dissertation • summarizing information given in each major section • It is different from the conclusion and identifies the basic contents of the dissertation. • The abstract is around 250 words

Abstract • Written under the following headings: – – – – – introduction objectives main outcome measures, study design setting subjects methods results Conclusion Key words

Introduction • The importance of the topic selected • The rationale of the study and discusses the background.

Introduction Three key paragraphs (parts) • Current knowledge of your research area • Summarize what others have done in this field, what limitations have been encountered and what questions remain unanswered • What do you plan to do in the study ?

Introduction 1. Frequency of asthmatic attacks has shown an inverse relationship with basal metabolic rate. Basal metabolic rate in turn is dependent on the body weight, thyroid status and age of the individual. 2. Most studies have shown that this relationship is variable at times. There are conflicting reports regarding frequency of asthmatic attacks and its relation with body mass index (BMI) (give examples of these reports). 3. We plan to conduct this study in patients with asthma to study the relation between frequency of acute asthmatic attacks and the BMI

Introduction • First chapter or the first major division of the first chapter. – A brief statement of the problem investigated – It should outline the scope, aim, general character of the research – The reasons for the student's interest in the problem. – It should NOT review the subject extensively – It should NOT have data or conclusions of the study.

Introduction The two most important functions of your introduction are to serve as • A grabber (a stylish, creative lead-up to what you’re trying to say) • Justification (an explanation of why your argument is even important in the first place) A B C Of writing

Thank you