THESIS WRITING BY DR SHASHWAT JANI

1. Dr. 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 : drshashwatjani@gmail.com

2. Selection of a topic for research
Thesis
Guide’s role
Time management
Review of literature
Bibliography

3. 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. ‘
4 July 2016
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160
3

4. 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.

5. 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.
4 July 2016
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160
5

6. 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]

7. Ideal : have a clinical
Epidemiological Dept.
Voluminous clinical
material on University
archives.
Careful
documentation of
clinical information
SELECTION OF A TOPIC

8. • Choice of subject
of interest.
• Choice of guide
accordingly.
• Help of
biostatistics dept.
and guide –
discuss.
• Topic with present
day significance.

9. 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]
.

10. Who Selects The Thesis Topic ?
GUIDE or STUDENT ?
4 July 2016
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160
10

11.  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 Impracticable outdated ideas of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.
4 July 2016 11
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

12. CONFLICTS IN GUIDE AND STUDENT
RELATIONS
4 July 2016
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160
12

13. • 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 .
4 July 2016 13
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

14. • 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.
4 July 2016 14
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

15. 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.

16.  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
Science
ICTRP – Search Portal
Net Sites / Portals &
Search Engines

17. 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:

18. 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

19. 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
4 July 2016 19
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

20. 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?

21. Guide’s Role
4 July 2016
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160
21

22. Requisites:
Good clinician having similar interests (similar
to topic of research)
Sufficient experience
Research oriented
Preferably present in the department
IGNORANCE IN METHODOLOGY LEADS TO POOR
RESEARCH QUALITY

23. 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.

24. The Dissertation will be prepared /
written along the following headings:
1. Title Page
2. Certificate with signatures
3. Declaration by PG
4. Certificate of Ethics Committee
5. Acknowledgement
6. Contents

25. 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

26. 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
4 July 2016 26
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

27. 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
4 July 2016 27
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

28. 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
4 July 2016 28
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

29. 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
4 July 2016 29
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

30. Results
This 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
4 July 2016 30
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

31. 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
4 July 2016 31
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

32. 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)
4 July 2016 32
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

33. 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
4 July 2016 33
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

34. 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
4 July 2016 34
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

35.  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

36. Issues not resolved at the
department level to be brought
to the office of the principal.

37.  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)

38. • 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...

39. 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.
4 July 2016
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160
39

40. GANTT chart for research and
thesis (Form 2)

41. Name of the PG student
Report for quarter
Research title
Progress
Obstacles
Additional support needed
Signature of the student
Date submitted
Receiving signature and date
Thesis progress report (Form 3)
PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT IS
MANDATORY

42. Time Management
7 Months
Before 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

43. Assessment of a body of research that
addresses the research question.
It throws light on
What we know
What we don’t know, but may identify
Why we did the study
Review of literature

44. Steps of the research journey:
ITERATIVE process
1
• Rethink
2
• Refine
3
• Rework on the
Literature Review
Frame a question.
Search relevant sources.
Manage search results.
Synthesize results.
Write an assessment.

45. 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

46. 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.

47. 4 July 2016
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160
47

48. An Ideal Thesis Should …
• Have ‘sound stuff’
• Be well written
• Be presented well
• Be accurate, complete
4 July 2016 48
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

49. 4 July 2016
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160
49

50. 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
4 July 2016 50
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

51. 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?4 July 2016 51
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

52. 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?
4 July 2016 52
Dr Shashwat Jani
9909944160

53. 4-Jul-16 53
Dr Shashwat Jani.
9909944160.