Dissertation Title, Synopsis and Introduction

1. DissertationTitle, Synopsis and Introduction Dr B Ravi Chander Principal and Prof & Head(Pediatrics) MVJMC & RH Hoskote, Bangalore

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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)

7. Students Perception • 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 • 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?

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

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

10. 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, the thesis will • naturally fall in place

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

12. 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

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

14. 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

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

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

17. 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 ?

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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

21. Thank you