Presenting an MD thesis is mandatory in fulfilling the requirements for graduation in some medical schools. It’s all about researching and scientifically reporting your findings. This huge task is usually time-consuming, mind-blogging and exhausting at every step. However, there are practical ways of making this learning process exciting and rewarding.
Choosing a good research topic
A research question is a problem you are trying to solve, so it’s primordial to choose a topic that interests you. You could either propose an original topic or choose from a list of available topics suggested by a supervisor. Either way, it must be feasible, novel, ethical and relevant.1. Also, a good research question is essential to guide your thesis, making your work concise, focused, and easy to break down into manageable tasks.
Writing a proposal
A proposal aims to outline the thesis and how you plan to achieve it. This entails searching the literature and reading scientific articles related to your research question to understand the background and the gaps to enable you to define a proper scientific method2. Typically, a proposal is divided into 3 main chapters:
- Introduction (briefly describe what is known on the topic and state your objectives)
- Literature review (a detailed but concise summary of literature)
- Methods (step by step approach on how you will conduct the study, including the context and materials that you will require)
A key aspect is to write daily, even if it is nonsense. Write, rewrite, get feedback, revise and restructure. Then, continue until you are satisfied and the review is positive.
Collecting and analysing data
You can collect data in different ways, via paper, online or by phone. Choose a process that minimises cost and shrinks your error margin. Also, pretest your data collection tool to ensure that it is practical and captures all variables needed for the analysis. Writing a data analysis plan helps you to define variables accurately to select appropriate statistical methods for analysis. The CRENC has published a detailed guide on this3,4. You can choose any statistical software to analyse your data. Having a good mastery of one is fine. However, you need to select the appropriate test to answer your objectives so that the results will be reliable.
READ: How to Create a Data Analysis Plan: A Detailed Guide
Writing results and discussion
Present your findings in a simple, clear and logical manner. Use tables, charts, graphs and plots where appropriate. Avoid repetition and choose the format that would be easiest for a reader to understand.
The discussion summarises the essential aspects of your findings and informs a reader of their implications. A good discussion has 3 main points;
- A summary of your research results
- Comparisons of your results with previous findings
- Highlighting the implications, strengths and limitations of the study and suggesting areas for further research
Many students tend to focus on comparisons and forget to state their relevance as a solution to a problem. In essence, the purpose of research is to provide a solution and not for comparison with previous findings
Aristotle said, “the roots of education are bitter, but the fruits are sweet”, and this applies to writing a thesis. Following these steps at every stage makes the thesis less cumbersome. It’s a long journey of learning new stuff. Do not hesitate to ask for help or guidance. You will neither be the first nor the last. Others succeeded, why not you!!!
READ: Writing a good results section of a thesis/scientific paper
References
1. Hulley SB;, Cummings SR;, Browner WS;, Grady DG;, Newman TB. Title: Designing Clinical Research, 3rd Edition • Characteristics of a Good Research Question 2010.
2. Maleki F, Ahmad F, Loyalt B, et al. Writing a research proposal Writing of Research Proposal. Res Propos Abasyn J Soc Sci. (1).
3. How to Create a Data Analysis Plan: A Detailed Guide | CRENC eLearn. Accessed March 14, 2022. https://learn.crenc.org/how-to-create-a-data-analysis-plan/
4. Simpson SH. Creating a Data Analysis Plan: What to Consider When Choosing Statistics for a Study. Can J Hosp Pharm. 2015;68(4):311. doi:10.4212/CJHP.V68I4.1471
Very well said. If I was to go through it again, I will do it this way.
Great write up.
An advice I will give to any research newbie
This is a very simple and rich guide. I’ll always come back to this article for guidance.
Thank you!
Good one. It give a very simple and straight forward overview of thesis writing and how to go about it