WRITING STYLE OF THESIS Example of a Good

WRITING STYLE OF THESIS: Example of a Good Thesis Dr. Hardeep Kaur Assoc. Professor UCON, Faridkot 3/19/2018 1

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What is a complete research…. . Continuous practice Quality clinical practice Identify questions/ problem Conduct research Utilize research findings Disseminate knowledge 3/19/2018 Generate new knowledge

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 3/19/2018

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 3/19/2018

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. Oxford dictionary, 8 th ed, 2009 3/19/2018

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 3/19/2018

Characteristics of good thesis • • Clarity Concise Complete in information Accurate Interesting Attractive, neat and clean Objectivity and Honesty 3/19/2018

Very important • Most universities have a preferred format for their thesis. • Follow your university format. Please log on to www. bfuhs. ac. in 3/19/2018

Outline of thesis 1. Preliminary section 2. Main body 3. Supplementary section 3/19/2018

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 Preface / forward List of annexure List of tables List of figures List of abbreviations & symbols used 3/19/2018

STUDY TITLE 16 -18, CENTERED, UPPER CASE University logo NAME OF CANDIDATE NAME OF COLLEGE 14 -16 Upper NAME OF THE UNIVERSITY Case CITY MONTH & YEAR OF SUBMISSION 3/19/2018

ENDORSEMENT BY THE HOD, PRINCIPAL OF THE INSTITUTION Certified that this is bonafide work Of Name of the Candidate At the Name of college Thesis submitted for the partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Name of course Speciality Of Name of university City Month and year of submission Signature of the Principal Roll No……. . Name: Course Name Qualification: College Name : 3/19/2018 University Name: City, State, Country

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 Designation and department 3/19/2018

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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 3/19/2018

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 3/19/2018

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS & SYMBOLS USED • Use only standard abbreviations • Do not use abbreviations in the title • Specify abbreviation in full when it comes 1 st time in text. • In alphabetical order 1. 2. 3/19/2018 anon- Anonymous et. el. - and others 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. 3/19/2018

STRUCTURED ABSTRACT (Max. 150 -250 words) Background & Objectives Methods Results Interpretation & Conclusion Keywords: (Max. 10, Each keyword should be separated by semicolon ; ) 3/19/2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter No. Contents I INTRODUCTION Background of the study Need for the study Statement of the problem Objectives Assumptions Operational definitions Conceptual framework II REVIEW OF LITERATURE III METHODOLOGY Research approach Research design Setting Population Sample and sampling technique Data collection tools and techniques Ethical clearance Method for data collection Pilot study Data analysis IV ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION V DISCUSSION REFERENCES ANNEXURE 3/19/2018 Page No. 1 -5 5 -6 6 6 7 7 -8 8 -12 13 -32 33 33 34 35 40 40 41 41 42 -81 82 -92 93 -99 100 -168

LIST OF ANNEXURES S. No. Name of Annexure I II IV V VI VIII IX Letter to experts for content validity of the tool Letter to authoritarian person for conducting study Consent form Certificate of editor (Punjabi) Certificate of editor (English) List of Experts List of formulae used English tool Punjabi tool 3/19/2018

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 26 4. Correlation between physical and psychological problems during menopause transition among women 28 5. 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 3/19/2018

LIST OF FIGURES Figure No. Title of Figure Page No. 1. Conceptual framework based on modified Roy’s Adaptation Model 9 2. Research design 21 3. Frequency and percentage distribution of women during menopause transition according to levels of physical problems 25 4. Frequency and percentage distribution of women during menopause transition according to levels of psychological problems 27 5. Correlation between physical and psychological problems during menopause transition among women 29 6. Mean physical problems score of women during menopause transition according to sample characteristics 33 7. Mean psychological problems score of women during menopause transition according to sample characteristics 37 3/19/2018

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 3/19/2018

Chapter I - Introduction • • General Introduction Background specific 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. 3/19/2018

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At the end of every chapter……. . This chapter has dealt with …………… …. . The next chapter will deal with……. 3/19/2018

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 3/19/2018

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 3/19/2018 Contd. .

Contd…. • • 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 3/19/2018

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 3/19/2018 Contd. .

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 3/19/2018

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 3/19/2018

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. 3/19/2018

Vancouver style for 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. http: //www. library. uq. edu. au/useit/ 3/19/2018

3. Supplementary section • References (if not mentioned earlier) • Annexure • Index 3/19/2018

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 3/19/2018

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. 3/19/2018

Hard board binding 3/19/2018 Spiral binding

Side of thesis • Put three information in following sequence Course Candidate name 3/19/2018 Month & year of submission

Specific Instructions • • • Use bond paper, A 4 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 3/19/2018

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 3/19/2018

CHAPTER TITLE- 16, CENTERED, BOLD, UPPER CASE Roman digit Heading: 14, Left, bold, lowercase Sub heading: 12, Left, bold lowercase Text: font size 12, un-bold, left aligned 3/19/2018 Text Type 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) 3/19/2018

From where, to start thesis writing? I Introduction II Review of lit III Methodology IV Results V Discussion 3/19/2018

What to do if find thesis work boring? • Do it ………. . Do it … • Get an habit of writing, even only 10 -15 min/day • Just begin somewhere & keep it regular • Writing of 1 st draft is hard • Take deep breath • Meditation/ yoga • Fulfill hobbies 3/19/2018

What is the Vancouver Referencing Technique? A uniform set of requirements for bibliographic references. qa "numbered" style qfollows rules established by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors qalso known as: Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals.

In-text citing q A number is allocated to a source in the order in which it is cited in the text q If the source is referred to again, the same number is used. q 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 ØAuthor ØTitle ØEdition ØPlace of Publication ØPublisher ØDate (year) journals ØAuthor ØTitle of Article ØJournal Title ØDate ØVolume number ØIssue number ØPage numbers

Examples for books Personal Author: Adam RD, Victor M. Principles of Neurology. 5 th ed. New York: Mc. Graw-Hill, 1993. Organization as author: Virginia Law Foundation. The Medical and legal implications of AIDS. Charlottesville: The Foundation, 1987.

Examples 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. 2 nd ed. Version 2. 0. San Diego: CMEA; 1995.

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 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 (4 Suppl): 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. 3/19/2018

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