Dissertation Writing

DISSERTATION WRITING

By Maj Gen VW Tilak AVSM, VSM (Retd)

DISSERTATION WRITING INTRODUCTION TOPIC SELECTION QUESTIONS:What am I trying to do? What has been done before? What is required to be done? SYNOPSIS SCHEDULE / PROFORMA

DISSERTATION WRITING Contd… 

PILOT STUDY

MAIN STUDY  STATISTICAL CONSULTATION  CONTENTS OF DISSERTATION  VANCOUVER STYLE:BMJ 1979;1:532-35 BMJ 1978;1:1334.  CONCLUSION 

SELECTION OF THE TOPIC Read earlier dissertations  Short list  Do not select complicated topic  Select simple topic: (ensure)  Feasibility  Time  Resources ( 3 Ms ) 

SELECTION OF THE TOPIC Contd…. Quality vs Volume  Consult guide  Finally decide  Search literature  Refer to Index Medicus  Take help from Pubmed, Google search 

SYNOPSIS Introduction Aims and Objectives Review of Material and Methods

PREPARATION OF THE SCHEDULE After your subject is approved a Proforma / Schedule should be prepared and got approved from the guide.

PILOT STUDY Test proforma on smaller sample (10%) and review for any modification.  This should be mentioned in Material and Methods.  Cases done in pilot study are allowed to be included in total study after mentioning it. 

STUDY Start collection of data  Simultaneously start collecting related literature  Statistical consultation  Continuous consultation – guide and statistician 

CONTENTS Index Introduction Aims and Objectives Review of literature Material and Methods

Findings Discussion Recommendation s Conclusions References Appendices

INTRODUCTION Background information Clearly identify grey areas Propose hypothesis of study / wish to prove

Mention Aim and how study will be beneficial Justify choice of study in brief Be clear, brief and relevant Should be 3-4 pages

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Clear, concise and brief  Aims may not be achievable, objectives must be achieved by cross checking that they are actually achieved 

REVIEW OF LITERATURE Review only literature related to your topic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS Area of Study Place of Study Population Unit of Study Sampling Period of Study Variables Parameters of Study Data Collection Reliability

Tools used Limitations Clinical examination Schedule Pilot Study Lab Investigations Equipment used Calibration Standardisation

MATERIAL AND METHODS Contd…. Describe clearly subjects chosen  Describe characteristics and relevant parameters studied  Describe methods used in details  Give protocols used as an appendix at the end 

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 

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Tabulate in chronological order. Tabulate and classify data obtained. Smaller,clear, simple tables. Clear interpretations/ inferences. Statistical interpretations. Arabic serial numbers

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Clear and unambiguous headings. Use figures, graphs and photographs. Coherence in discussion (Tables and discussion together). Consistency in text, tables and diagrams. Use precise, appropriate and simple language.

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LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

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RECOMMENDATIONS

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CONCLUSION

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REFERENCES

VANCOUVER STYLE References in chronological order Identify by Arabic numbers Tables and Figures – Chronological orders with Arabic numbers References in text and in References chapter must tally – no extra or less ! Tally Authors’ names Avoid as references Abstracts Unpublished Observations Personal Communications Dissertations

VANCOUVER STYLE CONTD…. Verify and use authentic references. Use only accepted abbreviations of Journals. Use “et al” if more than six authors in References Chapter and more than two in text. Use simple, short and clear sentences Check spelling mistakes / typing mistakes.

VANCOUVER STYLE CONTD…. Para numbering as per WHO guidelines / publications Page numbering Do not disclose institutions identity Use only standard abbreviations of words / terms in the text : Do not invent your own! Better avoid them!!

VANCOUVER STYLE CONTD…. EXAMPLES Standard References Soter NA, Wasserman SI, Austen KF. Cold Urticaria. N Eng J Med 1976;294:687-90.

VANCOUVER STYLE CONTD…. ORGANIZATION AS AUTHORS World Health Organization. Integrated Vector Control. Technical Report Series 1990; 676 : 22 – 25.

VANCOUVER STYLE CONTD…. BOOKS Rhodes AJ, Van Rooyen CE. Textbook of Virology. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins,1968;530-32.

VANCOUVER STYLE CONTD…. CHAPTER IN A BOOK Weinstein L, Swartz MN. Pathogenic properties of invading microorganisms. In: Sodeman WA Jr, Sodeman WA, editors. Pathologic physiology: mechanisms of disease. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1974; 457-72.

The “5W and 1H Approach” Who?:- might benefit/developed the idea. What?:- Assumptions we are making/significance//advantages/disadvantages Where? :- Can it be applied/relevant. Why? :- Is the idea developed/introduced. When? :- Is the idea applicable. How? :- Will work in practice/introduced /evaluated.

Writing Tips         

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Rewrite and revise until satisfied. Talk and interact with others. Remember central point and findings. Start writing early. Remind reader of research question at regular intervals . In long report remind each points in each section. Write with the ear. Write for the eye ( get-up , spacing/color). Write clear and simple ( Succicnt ). Avoid long, convoluted sentences, jargon & pretentious waffle. Don’t use 20 words if 10 will do.

CONCLUSION Plan / Write truthfully. 2 – 3 drafts / redrafts. Must be read by you thoroughly ! Let someone else read it. Do not leave obvious lacunae. Do not publish articles before you pass MD / MS !! You are the MASTER. Who else ? Give limitations / pitfalls frankly. “ Science without conscience is a body without soul”.

CONCLUSION Contd… Always be in touch with your guide after all he is your BOSS!! Listen to him, respect him Student - Teacher relationship is eternal and permanent – nourish it !