Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.
-Saadi Shirazi
Selecting thesis topic in MD/MS and DNB courses , is more of an at than science. Regular practice and patience are key to success. However, there are few tips that can make the process easier.
Research focus of thesis topic in MD/MS and DNB courses
Who should decide the thesis topic for MD/MS/DNB thesis ? You, a PG student or the guide.
Imagine you are an upcoming wildlife photographer. You are hired by National Geographic to make a photo journal on blue tailed monkey ( fictitious ) in the Amazon rain forest.
You are going into the jungle to do that.
Who would you like to decide the track you are going to follow? You or a local guide which is the son of the soil?
I do not know about you, but I will ask the local guide to decide where to go. I would love to get great photos of that monkey, but I would hate to even think of the idea of getting lost in the jungle.
The thesis is a task with similar complexity and challenge.
The most challenging task is to select a topic for the thesis.
The area of expertise of your thesis guide is the best field you should focus your thesis.
A new doctor usually does not have a clear research focus as it demands in-depth subjects knowledge to develops correct research questions.
Your thesis guide usually has adequate experience. So concentrate on the following points
Field of work of thesis guide: The outcome of a well-executive research project provided answers to a particular research question. Besides, it increases the understanding of that specific topic, which in turn help in raising many other research questions, which finally becomes bases for further research.
For example,
A cross-sectional study designed to identify risk factors for a disease x in a population. The outcome of the study is the identification of A, B, and C as risk factors for the disease X. It also gives rise to a question as to what extent the presence of the risk factor A in the population increases the odds of having the disease X. , a second study (case-control) is required to answer this question.
The previous experience with the research in the same or similar topic also gives one the idea of the difficulty faced in the study planning and execution.
You can get an idea of the field of your guides interest by looking at his/her previous publication or thesis supervised.it will provide you with an excellent sense of the focus and direction of the research interest. It is better to find some topic in alignment with the guides research focus and direction.
Feel free to contact us if you need any help regarding any aspect of thesis or artcle writing
Time frame for completion of thesis topic
Do not bite more than you can chew.
The average time allotted for completion of the MD/MS/DNB thesis is two years. It may further be reduced due to administrative delays like allotment of thesis Guides and selection of topic. At some institutions, it is only one year.
It is safe to presume that it takes around one month to finalize and submit the protocol and two months to write, print, and submit the complete thesis.
The remaining time, nine months or one year and nine months ( depending on, whether you have one or two years) are all you have for actual data collection.
You should keep in mind, the pattern of patients inflow at your institution to be able to recruit enough patients ( sample size) for your study, within this time frame.
You should only select a topic in which this is possible.
Technology and logistics available
A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
There is always a temptation to select a research topic based on some new technology, diagnostic modality, or treatment technique. It is better if that new technology or equipment is available in-house, in your department.
Negotiating with other department/institution to regularly avail their facilities is often challenging. It is because of the difference in timing, priorities, work culture, and administrative barriers.
One way to deal with it is to have a co-guide from that facility/institution.
You should diligently do your homework on this point before you take any research topic. It is practically impossible to change a co-guide or a lab facility, once the topic is finalized and protocol is submitted.
Statistical and Research Methodology Support to complete the thesis topic.
Imaging you are gifted a do-it-yourself kit to build a robot which can dance. It is meant for an age group of 10 yrs or more, and should take one hours to assemble. It has all the wheels , gears, levers, motors, wires and motherboard , required to assemble it into a functioning robot.
How long will it take to assemble? 45 minutes !
Now imaging the box has everything , accept the manual to assemble it.
Now, how long will it take to assemble ? Good luck.
You should better be Einstein to do it at all.
Writing a thesis in MD/MS and DNB courses, without having a correct research methodology planning, in practically impossible. Most of the thesis rejected are primarily due to flaws in the research methodologies only.
We at medithesis.in assist in designing the correct research methodology for different research projects and MD/MS/DNB thesis. Fell free to call us at +9151368005 or email at medical.thesis@gmail.com or submit your details here.