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 Findings
Introduction Discussion
Aims and Recommendation
Objectives s
Review of
literature Conclusions
Material and References
Methods Appendices
 INTRODUCTION
Background Mention Aim and
how study will be
information beneficial
Clearly identify Justify choice of
grey areas study in brief
Propose Be clear, brief
and relevant
hypothesis of
Should be 3-4
study / wish to pages
prove
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 Tools used
Place of Study
Limitations
Population
Unit of Study Clinical examination
Sampling Schedule
Period of Study
Pilot Study
Variables
Parameters of Study Lab Investigations
Data Collection Equipment used
Reliability 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
 Tabulate in  Clear and unambiguous
chronological order. headings.
 Tabulate and classify  Use figures, graphs and
data obtained. photographs.
 Smaller,clear, simple  Coherence in discussion
tables. (Tables and discussion
 Clear interpretations/ together).
inferences.  Consistency in text, tables
 Statistical and diagrams.
interpretations.  Use precise, appropriate
 Arabic serial and simple language.
numbers
 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

 RECOMMENDATIONS

 CONCLUSION

 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

 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 !