SYNOPSIS OF DISSERTATION

(DISSERTATION PROPOSAL)

DR. S. YOHANNA

ASSUMPTIONS

1. You have chosen a research topic.2. You have thought through the objectives.3. You have studied the literature on similar

studies done elsewhere. 4. You have decided on how to conduct the

study.5. You have decided on how to present the

results.

• The synopsis (research proposal) is a short write-up that describes those assumptions.

• The aim is to explain your proposed research to an independent assessor, who then advises on the feasibility or suitability of the study.

OBJECTIVES OF DISSERTATION:

• To demonstrate ability to identify a research problem.

• To formulate clear objectives for the study.• To design a feasible methodology to research

into the problem.• To produce a document useful to the practice

of Family Medicine.• On-going debate b/w PhD vs. Fellowship.

LAYOUT OF THE SYNOPSIS.1. TITLE OF THE STUDY.2. INTRODUCTION.3. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM.4. AIM & OBJECTIVES.5. MATERIALS & METHOD.6. RELEVANCE/JUSTIFICATION.7. LIMITATIONS/CONSTRAINTS.8. REFERENCES.9. APPENDICES.

TITLE PAGE

1. Topic:2. A synopsis of proposed dissertation submitted

to the NPMCN in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the Part II Fellowship examination of the College in Family Medicine.

3. Name of Candidate +/- Qualifications4. Name of training institution & Date.

1. THE TITLE

• Keep it short – avoid too many words.

• Should reflect the problem being studied

• Where relevant, should also reflect the centre where study is conducted.

THE ROLE OF LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION IN MANAGEMENT OF HYPERTENSIVE ADULTS ATTENDING GOPC OF LUTH.

A synopsis of proposed dissertation submitted to the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the Part II Fellowship Examination of the College in Family Medicine.

DR A.O.AK (MBBS, MAUTH) DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE LAGOS UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL APRIL, 2012

MCQ – The Title.

1. The pattern of ANC attendance in private practice setting.

2. Pattern of skin disorders among Nigerians.

3. Family support and depression in diabetics attending GOPC of OAUTH.

2. THE INTRODUCTION.

– Background information or overview of the subject being studied.

– Review relevant literature/studies on the subject, including the findings and recommendations from those studies.

– Define any terms used in the topic and/or terms that may be used in the dissertation.

e.g. “Influence of family support on pregnancy outcomes in poor women attending ANC in Nnewi.”

• Review of relevant literature should form part of the Introduction.

• No need for a separate section called “Literature Review.”

• The entire section should be about 2-3 pages.

3. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM.

A good Introduction should naturally lead to

a statement of the problem being studied.

From the Introduction, the reader should

begin to conceptualize why the topic is

worth studying.

THE PROBLEM STATEMENT.• What are the specific issues about this topic that you

want to study further?

• What is the gap between what should be, and what actually exists? This can come from observations in your own practice, from hospital records, or from studying the literature.e.g. - response of patients to antimalarials

- ANC women unsure of LMP

• Explain the magnitude and distribution of the problem and why it is important.

Effect of person-centred counselling on depression among diabetics.

• Describe burden of DM in your practice area• Describe prevalence of depression among

them• Describe current mgt of depression among

diabetics, and issues associated with it.• Describe current methods of counselling and

problems associated with it.

4. THE AIM & OBJECTIVES.

AIM: (General Objective or Goal).

Must reflect the subject or topic being studied – should reflect the Title.

It is a broad statement of what you hope to achieve at the end of the study. It is the end-result of the study.

MCQ – Aim of the Study

1. To assess the quality of glycaemic control in persons with Type 2 DM at UBTH.

MCQ – Aim of the Study

1. To assess the quality of glycaemic control in persons with Type 2 DM at UBTH.

in order to formulate management guidelines for FM, and, ultimately, reduce disease burden and its complications to the patient, family and healthcare facility.

AIM

2. To determine the effect of lifestyle modification measures in adult hypertensive patients in LUTH.

AIM

2. To determine the effect of lifestyle modification measures in adult hypertensive patients in UBTH

with a view to recommending those measures to patients for improved blood pressure control.

OBJECTIVES

Objectives: (Specific Objectives):

Indicate how you will attain the Aim/Goal.

State things you will do to achieve the goal.

AIM – To assess glycemic control ..

Objectives• To determine the pattern of glycaemic control in

persons with Type 2 DM at ...• To evaluate the factors affecting glycaemic

control in persons with Type 2 DM at ....• To determine the presence of some

complications in persons with Type 2 DM at ... • To identify some associated co-morbidities ...

Objectives: must be “SMART.”- Specific.- Measurable.- Achievable.- Realistic.- Time-limited (within a specified time limit)

MCQ - “SMART” OBJECTIVES

1. To assess glycemic control among diabetics in Nigeria.

2. To determine seroconversion rates among babies born to mothers on PMTCT.

3. To determine socio-demographic characteristics of women in the study group.

4. Relationship between family functioning and depression in Lagos.

AIM & OBJECTIVES

A good study should have

Only 1 Aim,

but can have

Several objectives.

5. MATERIALS & METHODS:1. Brief description of the place where study will be

conducted – hospital, OPD, village, etc.2. Define the study population.3. Explain the study design.4. Define the sample size and explain how it was

arrived at.5. Explain the sampling method – based on study

design.6. Define selection criteria (inclusion and exclusion

criteria)

MATERIALS & METHODS:7. Study protocol - Explain how the study will be

conducted. Describe the method and instrument of data collection, including any tools or instruments that will be used.

8. Method of data analysis & how results will be presented.

9. Expected duration of the study.10. Who will fund the study, if any major costs are

involved. 11. Ethical considerations.

1. Study site.

1. Brief description of the hospital or location of the study.

2. Description of the specific area (Unit) in the hosp e.g GOPC, Ward.

3. Normal flow or work arrangement in the Unit4. No. of patients seen per week/month having

the condition being studied

2. Study Population

This is the group of patients, among whom you will select participants for your study.

• Effect of counselling on depression in diabetics• Determinants of ASB in women receiving ANC

in Sagamu• Correlates of intimate partner violence among

women attending GOPC of AKTH

3. Study DesignObservational

1. Descriptive• Case Reports/Case series• Cross sectional• Ecological

2. Analytical• Case control• Cohort

Experimental/Interventional

1. Randomized controlled Trials(Clinical trials)

2. Field trials(Intervention studies)

3. Community trials(Community Intervention trials)

Type of study design depends on:

• What is the research question/ objective

• Time available for study

• Resources available for the study

• Common/rare disease or problem

• Type of outcome of interest

• Quality of data from various sources30

Weight of evidence

1. Meta analysis (Best evidence)2. Systematic reviews3. Practice guidelines4. Randomized control trials5. Cohort study6. Case control study7. Case reports/Personal experience (Lowest

evidence)

4. Determination of Sample size

• Based on certain parameters – esp the prevalence of the condition, and your desired margin of error

• Formula depends on type of study and the study design.

• Indicate the source of the formula used• Difference between sample size and no. of

participants to be recruited.

5. Sampling method

Describes how the participants were recruited.Types of sampling:

a. Randomizedb.Non-randomized

Sampling method must reflect the study design.

6. Selection criteria

• Inclusion criteria

• Exclusion criteriaYou should always explain why some categories of patients will be excluded from the study.

Must reflect the objectives of the study.

7. Study protocol

• Detailed description of how the study will be conducted

• Describes the data to be collected• Describes the tools/instruments to be used• Describes the forms & questionnaires

8. Data Analysis

• The specific data to be collected• The statistical tools to be used for the analysis• How the results will be presented – using

Tables, Charts

9. JUSTIFICATION/RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY.

• What information is expected from the study? • How will it be used to help solve the problem

being studied? • Explain the practical application of the results.

How will the results impact on your practice, or how will it affect attitudes towards the topic?

10. LIMITATIONS/CONSTRAINTS

• Factors that may affect the conduct or outcome of the study.

• Factors that may affect interpretation of results.

e.g. time limitation/timing of the study, financial constraints, availability of reliable records, relevant literature, social and political crisis, study design etc.

11. Ethical Considerations.

• Letter of ethical approval from the institution• Separate from letter of permission for the

study• Written (signed) informed consent by the

participants.• Confidentiality of identity of the respondents.• Incentives vs. Inducement

12. REFERENCES.

• 10 – 15 will do for a synopsis.

• Not more than 10 years from publication.

• Good blend of local and International studies.

• Good blend of journals & textbooks.

• Must use Vancouver style of referencing.

13. APPENDICES.

• Questionnaire – Must contain enough questions to address each of your study objectives.

• Other instruments of data collection• Maps/Diagrams• Consent form• Letter of Ethical clearance.

THE APPROVAL PROCESS ..Is often lengthy, so you need to start

early, and do it right.

CONCLUSION

1. The best time to start choosing a topic is before the Part 1 exam.

2. Discuss with your colleagues & trainers.3. Submit your proposal within 3 months of passing

the Part 1 exam.4. A good proposal is almost 50% of the

dissertation itself.5. “If you know these things, blessed are you if you

do them.” (Because you will get FMCFM quickly)

THANK YOU!..could use more

speed!