WRITING STYLE OF THESIS: Example of a Good Thesis Dr. Hardeep Kaur Assoc. Professor UCON, Faridkot 9/13/20151.

WRITING STYLE OF THESIS: Example of a Good Thesis

Dr. Hardeep Kaur

Assoc. Professor

UCON, Faridkot

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Identify questions/problemQuality

clinical practice

Utilize research findings

Disseminate knowledge

Generate new knowledge

Conduct research

Continuous practice

What is a complete research…..

Need of reporting

• Research is a costly endeavor.

• No study is complete until the findings have been written and shared with others in form of a research report.

• Reporting contribute to the base of evidence for nursing practice

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Research report

• Communication and dissemination outlet of summarized research findings.

• Communication outlets are– Theses and dissertations

– Term papers

– Journal articles

– On-line publications

– Report to funder

– Professional conferences- Oral report / Poster session

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Thesis

• A long piece of writing, a formal paper, discussed in a logical way, completed by a student as a part of a university degree, based on his/her own original research.

• Interchangeable with dissertation.

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Oxford dictionary, 8th ed, 2009

Why thesis?

• Share with wide number of

people• Critique • Replication• Evidence based practice

Requirement of a particular course- B Sc (N) / M Sc (N)/ M Phil/ Ph D

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Characteristics of good thesis

• Clarity • Concise• Complete in information • Accurate • Interesting• Attractive, neat and clean• Objectivity and Honesty

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• Most universities have a preferred format for their thesis.

• Follow your university format.

Please log on to www.bfuhs.ac.in

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Very important

Outline of thesis

1. Preliminary section

2. Main body

3. Supplementary section

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1. Preliminary section Title page

Endorsement by the HOD, principal/head of the institution

Certificate by the guide, co-guide

Declaration by the candidate

Acknowledgment

Abstract

Table of contents

List of annexure

List of tables

List of figures

List of abbreviations & symbols used

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Preface / forward

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STUDY TITLE16-18, CENTERED, UPPER

CASE

University logo

NAME OF CANDIDATE

NAME OF COLLEGE

NAME OF THE UNIVERSITY

CITY

MONTH & YEAR OF SUBMISSION

14-16Upper Case

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ENDORSEMENT BY THE HOD, PRINCIPAL OF THE INSTITUTION 

Certified that this is bonafide workOf

Name of the CandidateAt the

Name of collegeThesis submitted for the partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of

Name of courseSpeciality

OfName of university

CityMonth and year of submission

Roll No…….. Course Name

ENDORSEMENT BY THE HOD, PRINCIPAL OF THE INSTITUTION 

Certified that this is bonafide workOf

Name of the CandidateAt the

Name of collegeThesis submitted for the partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of

Name of courseSpeciality

OfName of university

CityMonth and year of submission

Roll No…….. Course Name

Signature of the Principal

Name:

Qualification:

College Name :

University Name:City, State, Country

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CERTIFICATE OF SUPERVISOR

This is to certify that ----Name of the Candidate----- has carried out thesis entitled

“<----------------------------- Study

Title-----------------------------------------------------------------------> " is a bonafide

research work done at College Name, University Name, fot the partial fullfillment of

requirement for the degree, of Master of Science in Nursing -----put your

specialty----.

Signature of the Guide Signature of the co- Guide

Name Name

Designation and department Designation and department

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DECLARATION BY THE CANDIDATE

I hereby declare that this thesis entitled “<-----------------------------Study

Title-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------->" is a bonafide and genuine research work carried out for the partial

fullfillment of the requirement of the degree of Master of science in Nursing

(speciality).

Date : Signature of the candidate

Place: Name

Course Name

College and University Name

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Mention persons who have made substantial contribution to the study but whose contribution does not qualify them for authorship.

Might include your guide, co guide, principle/HOD, faculty, statistician, friends, organization, funding agency, family, and off course patients or study participants.

Not lengthy, one page & signed.

Signature of the Candidate

Name

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS & SYMBOLS USED

•Use only standard abbreviations

•Do not use abbreviations in the title

•Specify abbreviation in full when it comes 1st time in

text.

•In alphabetical order

1. anon- Anonymous2. et. el.- and others 3. illus- Illustrated a

Abstract • First point of contact with readers about

findings, so deserve careful attention. • Written brief description of research problem,

methods and finding of the study, so readers can decide whether to read the entire thesis.– Traditional (unstructured) paragraph– Structured with sub headings.

• Include key words that will help others to locate your study, should indexed in Medline or CINAHL.

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STRUCTURED ABSTRACT (Max. 150-250 words)

 Background & Objectives Methods Results  Interpretation & Conclusion  Keywords: (Max. 10, Each keyword should be separated by semicolon ;)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter No. Contents Page No.I INTRODUCTION

Background of the study 1-5Need for the study

5-6Statement of the problem

6Objectives

6Assumptions

7Operational definitions

7-8Conceptual framework

8-12II REVIEW OF LITERATURE 13-32III METHODOLOGY

Research approach33Research design33Setting

33Population

33Sample and sampling technique 34Data collection tools and techniques 35Ethical clearance 40Method for data collection 40Pilot study

41Data analysis41

IV ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 42-81V DISCUSSION 82-92

REFERENCES 93-99ANNEXURE 100-168

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LIST OF ANNEXURES S.No. Name of Annexure 

I Letter to experts for content validity of the toolII Letter to authoritarian person for conducting studyIII Consent formIV Certificate of editor (Punjabi)V Certificate of editor (English)VI List of ExpertsVII List of formulae usedVIII English toolIX Punjabi tool

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LIST OF TABLES Table No. Title of Table Page No. 1. Frequency and percentage distribution of sample characteristics 22-23 2. Frequency and percentage distribution of women during menopause transition according to levels of physical problems 24 3. Frequency and percentage distribution of women during menopause transition according to levels of psychological problems 264. Correlation between physical and psychological problems during menopause transition among women 285. Mean physical problems score of women during menopause transition according to sample characteristics 30-31 6. Mean psychological problems score of women during menopause transition according to sample characteristics 34-35

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No. Title of Figure Page No.

1. Conceptual framework based on modified Roy’s Adaptation Model 92. Research design 213. Frequency and percentage distribution of women during menopause transition according to levels of physical problems 254. Frequency and percentage distribution of women during menopause transition according to levels of psychological problems 275. Correlation between physical and psychological problems during menopause transition among women 296. Mean physical problems score of women during menopause transition according to sample characteristics 337. Mean psychological problems score of women during menopause transition according to sample characteristics 37

2. Main body

• Chapter I- Introduction• Chapter II- Review of Literature • Chapter III- Methodology• Chapter IV- Analysis and interpretation/

Results • Chapter V- Discussion and summary

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Chapter I - Introduction• Introduction • Background • Need of the study and how this work will help• Statement of the problem, research questions • Aim of the study• Objectives (1, 2, 3. . . .) • Variables under study (IV, DV & EV),

Hypotheses, • Delimitations, Assumptions, Operational

definitions, • Conceptual framework.

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General

specific

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This chapter has dealt with …………………………

…..The next chapter will deal with…….

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At the end of every chapter……..

Chapter II- Review of literature

• Divide all available review in different section as per study

• Arrange recent to old• In historical research- Old to recent• Follow Vancouver style

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Chapter III. Methodology• Research Approach• Research design• Setting• Population • Sampling technique & Sample( IC and EC, sample size)• Data collection tools & techniques ( From tool no 1 to

tool no n, with content validity and reliability, Development of the tools)

• Translation of tools • Researcher training for tool use• Tools try out

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• Intervention if any• Ethical clearance• Informed consent • Data collection procedure (method of data

collection) • Pilot study• Duration of data collection• Problems in data collection(if any)• Data analysis plan

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Contd….

Chapter IV. Analysis and interpretation

• Results• Specify about coding of data, master data sheet

and statistical package (SPSS 10) • Presentation of data in sections, objective wise,

significant bold• Emphasize only important observations from

tables/illustrations in the text without undue repetition of date & give interpretation of the finding

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Contd….

• Do not repeat the same data in tables & illustrations.

• Start with description of subjects characteristics, then present findings as per the objectives of the study (Obj-1 to obj- n), if any extra finding- put it at end.

• Write p value exactly

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Chapter V. Discussion• Summary of major findings, Do not repeat all the data, • Discussion (mention & link review in support of your

findings, defend your findings with available literature or logic),

• As per objective • Conclusions• Implications (nursing education, administration, practice &

research)• Recommendations (present and future) • Limitations.• Avoid conclusions for which adequate data has not been

obtained

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References

• Vancouver style • Reference list after chapter V. • References should be numbered

consecutively in the order in which they are first mentioned in the text.

• They should not be listed alphabetically by author or title or put in date order.

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Vancouver stylefor citing a journal article

2. Green Bob, Young R, Kavanagh D, Wilson JD, Martin JB, Kasper DL, et al. Cannabis use and misuse prevalence among people with psychosis. Br J Psychiatry 1996 Jun;12(5):127-33.

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http://www.library.uq.edu.au/useit/

3. Supplementary section

• References (if not mentioned earlier)• Annexure • Index

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Annexure / Appendices

• Letter granting ethical clearance • Any specific material developed

– Informed consent

• Tools- Original and translated• Any developed guideline• Competency certificate • List of experts• CD

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Front page and binding

• Same as title page• Binding-

– Printed colored hard board binding with silver / gold foil lettering.

– Printed soft spiral / staple binding

• Cover thesis with plastic to make it safe. • All the colleges / a university students

should use same color• Blue / brown / light green are good colors.

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Hard board binding Spiral binding

Side of the thesis

• Put three information in following sequence

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Course Candidate name Month & year of

submission

Specific Instructions

• Use bond paper, A4 size (min 80 gsm)• Type on one side of paper only,• Para indent 5-7 spaces,• Keep left alignment, do not justify lines• Do not divide the words at the end of the line. (-)• Leave 1-1 1/2" space on all sides of the paper (Lt-

1.5”, Rt- 1”, top & bottom- 1”)• Prepare 6-7 copies for submission & one for

yourself

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Tables/figures

• Color page, cover with transparency • Number the tables/figures consecutively and not

for each chapter separately.• Insert figure in the text page itself instead of a

fresh page each time.• Do not break a table on two pages• Obtain permission to use photographs• Give a brief but clear title to each table / figure

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CHAPTER TITLE- 16, CENTERED, BOLD, UPPER CASE

Sub heading: 12, Left, bold lowercase

Heading: 14, Left, bold, lowercase

Text: font size 12, un-bold, left aligned

TextType double space,

(Times New Roman)

English Editing

• Free from grammatical & spelling mistakes• Avoid abstract terms and technical jargons• Use of Tense

– Past or present perfect tense for review & discussion of past events

– Past- to discuss results– Present- conclusions

• Passive voice and impersonal pronouns as these suggest greater impartiality.

• Don’t use I / We / me / us (personal pronouns)

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From where, to start thesis writing?

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IIntroduction

IIReview of lit

IIIMethodology

IVResults

VDiscussion

What to do if find thesis work boring?

• Do it ……….. Do it ……….. Do it ……….. Do it …

• Get an habit of writing, even only 10-15 min/day

• Just begin somewhere & keep it regular• Writing of 1st draft is hard

• Take deep breath• Meditation/ yoga• Fulfill hobbies

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What is the Vancouver Referencing Technique?

A uniform set of requirements for bibliographic references.

a "numbered" style

follows rules established by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors

also known as: Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals.

In-text citing

A number is allocated to a source in the order in which it is cited in the text

If the source is referred to again, the same number is used.

Example:...as one author has put it "the darkest days were still ahead" [1]: which is well documented in the literature. [2-5] This proves that "the darkest days were still ahead". [1]

Essential Elements for

referencing books

AuthorTitleEditionPlace of PublicationPublisherDate (year)

journals

AuthorTitle of ArticleJournal TitleDateVolume numberIssue numberPage numbers

Examples for books Examples for books

Personal Author:

Adam RD, Victor M. Principles of Neurology. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1993.

Organization as author:

Virginia Law Foundation. The Medical and legal implications of AIDS. Charlottesville: The Foundation, 1987.

ExamplesExamples Chapter in a book:

Wynick D, Bloom SR. Islet cell tumors. In: Grossman A. Clinical Endocrinology. Oxford: Blackwells Scientific Publications, 1992: 502-511.

Conference Proceedings:

Preston D, editor. Computers in Clinical Dentistry. Proceedings of the first International Conference on Computers in Clinical Dentistry; 1991 Sept 26-29: Houston. Chicago: Quintessence, 1993.

Monograph in electronic format:

CDI, Clinical dermatology illustrated [monograph on CD-Rom]. Reeves JRT, Maibach H. CMEA Multimedia Group, Producers. 2nd ed. Version 2.0. San Diego: CMEA; 1995.

Examples Examples

(Titles of Journals should be abbreviated according to Index Medicus)

Standard Journal Article: (list all authors, but if there are more than six, only list the first six followed by “et al”)

Burks RT, Morgan J. Anatomy of the lateral ankle ligaments. Am J Sports Med 1994 Jan-Feb; 22(1): 72-77.

Organization as author:

NIH Technology Assessment Workshop Panel. The Persian Gulf Experience and Health. JAMA 1994; 272: 391-395.

No author given:

Coffee drinking and cancer of the pancreas [editorial] BMJ 1981; 283:628.

Examples Examples

Volume with supplement

Leff J. Working with the families of schizophrenic patients. Br J Psychiatry 1994; 164 Suppl 23: 71-76.

Issue with supplement:

Hirschfeld RMA, Holzer CE. Depressive personality disorders: clinical implications. J Clin Psychiat 1994 Apr; 55 (4Suppl): 10-17.

Journal article in Electronic format:

Morse SS. Factors in the emergence of infectious diseases. Emerg Infect Dis [serial online] 1995 Jan-Mar [cited 1996 Jun 5]; 1(1): [24 screens]. Available from: URL: http://www.cdcgov/ncidod/EID/eid.htm

To summarize

• Follow your university guideline.• Though many things are same as we discussed

today but ……off course few variation might exist uni to uni.

• If you are not following than guideline strictly, it may result that your thesis comes back to you for clarification and rectification and

• You may have undue stress and unnecessary workload to correct the things which could be done earlier.

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