very useful for pgs

1. GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A
THESIS OR DISSERTATION
DR. PUTTARAJ T K
PROF.&HOD
DEPTOF PROSTHODONTICS& IMPLANTOLOGY
1
GREETINGS
FROM

2. GOOD MORNING
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3. RESEARCH ?
• Research is an endeavour to discover answers to intellectual and
practical problems through the application of scientific
method.
• “Research is a systematized effort to gain new knowledge” Redman and
Mory.
• “Is an organized enquiry designed and carried out to provide information for
solving a problem.” Fred Kerlinger.
• “Is essentially an investigation, a recording and analysis of evidence for the
purpose of gaining knowledge- Robert Rose
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4. INTRODUCTION
• The term "thesis" (ಪ್ರಬಂಧ )comes from the Greek θέσις, meaning "something put
forth", and refers to an intellectual proposition.( ಬೌದ್ಧಿಕ ಪ್ೂರ್ವಭಾವಿ ಪ್ರಬಂಧ )
• "Dissertation" comes from the Latin dissertātiō, meaning "discussion".
• Aristotle was the first philosopher to define the term thesis.
A thesis, or dissertation is a DOCUMENT submitted in support of
candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification
presenting the author's research and findings.
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5. • “A written work resulting from original research, especially one submitted for
higher degree in a university
WHAT IS A THESIS?
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6. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
A DISSERTATION AND A THESIS?
The word "thesis" or a cognate is used for part of a bachelor's or master's course
Dissertation " is normally applied to a doctorate.
 It depends on where you are?
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7. WHAT IS LIBRARY-BASED DISSERTATION ( L.
D.) ?
 Is a piece of academic research that views a particular discipline or
subdiscipline under scrutiny.
• This form of the dissertation does not rely as much on gathering and collating
primary data directly through observation or measurement.
• Rather, the focus is on putting together a well-reasoned critique
from the analysis of the discipline.
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8. WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT STEPS IN CONDUCTING A
LIBRARY-BASED STUDY?
1.In library-based research, it is important to begin by identifying the
research topic and the overall scope of the project.
2. Define the title of the research and create your questionnaire.
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9. L.D
3. A library-based dissertation also carries out a comprehensive
review of the available research evidence.
• It also includes an elucidate literature review of all the required
books, articles and journals that are relevant to the purpose of
study.
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10. L.D.
4.Draw a logical conclusion. In a library-based dissertation, it is extremely important
to provide an overall evaluation of the statistical research as well as the other
of analysis of the available evidence.
5.The conclusion can also be a relative analysis of the Pros and Cons of the case.
6.Make suggestions for additional investigative studies, or highlight the implications
for preparation.
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11. WHAT IS A SYNOPSIS?
 Synopsis is a Greek word derived from. syn – together, opsis – seeing.
Synopsis –the concise outline of a survey of the contents of the thesis or a
monograph or a review paper
Most frequently a synopsis is a multi-paragraph summary of a chapter,
book, article, or drama.
It makes no effort to address every idea.
Synonyms: Condensation, epitome, abstract, abridgment, summary &
protocol.
.
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12. SYNOPSIS FORMAT BY RGUHS?
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7.1
7..
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7.3
MATERIALS AND METHODS
SOURCE OF THE DATA-
SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION:
STUDY DESIGN:
DURATION OF STUDY :
PROCEDURE :
Statistical Analysis:
8 LIST OF REFERENCES:
9.
Signature of Candidate
10.
Remarks of guide
11.
11.1 Name and Designation
of the Guide (in block
letters)
11.2 Signature
11.3 Head of the Department
11.4 Signature
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12.1 Principal
12.2 Remarks of Chairman
and Principal
12.3 Signature
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.
1
NEED FOR THE STUDY
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.
2
REVIEW OF
LITERATURE
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.
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OBJECTIVES OF THE
STUDY
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13. FALLOW THE UNIVERSITY
GUIDELINES
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14. 14
1. Does make you famous 2.Pursuing interests 3.Just to Pursuing post graduate
4.Developing crucial skills 5.Boosting your Employability 7.Social impact
6.Selecting career path
WHY WRITE A THESIS?

15. CHOOSING A TOPIC – TOO DIFFICULT A TASK
?
• Check for the originality,feasibility…
• Do remember easier topics difficult to work
with
• Do never select an outdated work, as you
have to remain in the Profession for > 4
decades so Avoid over-exhausted topics. ...
• Your desertion is the reflection of your hands
on experience,
• Avoid topics which do not give adequate and
modern skills
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16. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A
TOPIC
• Is this topic appropriate to the conditions of your workplace ? Availability of sources.
• A topic that interests you. ...Will this topic appeal to my interests?
• A topic you are curious about. ...Is this topic something I can speak about with enthusiasm &
• A topic that is challenging. Will I be able to offer a fresh perspective on this topic? Scope..
• What elements are most important to this topic? topic that is manageable, ...time..deadlines etc
• A topic that is significant. ...
What does the other professionals most likely know about this subject
• Ethical considerations,adminisrative support etc
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17. GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A THESIS
STATEMENT
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A thesis statement is a sentence used in an essay that serves as the guide for the essay and directly
answers the question or task asked of you.
A thesis statement express the main
idea of your paper.

18. STANDARDIZATION OF WRITING THESIS
Every thesis should be written in new times roman 12 and consist of three parts:
• Beginning, --research qwestion ,thesis statement
• The body text –results,discussion,significance of the topic
• and the Ending. –summary of key points
• Each part has several sections that must be laid out according to certain rules.
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19. WHAT WE SHOULD DO AFTER COMPLETING
THESIS?
• • You’ve finished writing & defending your thesis
• • Turn it into a book now possible to publish as e-book
• • Publish some journal articles around it
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• What do you do next?

20. PLAGIARISM 20
Use of others published /unpublished ideas without consent,
credit or acknowledgement.
ANTIPLAGIARISM SOFT WARE
URKUND,TURNITIN

21. DISSERTATION ABSTRACT
• An abstract is a brief summary of a research article, thesis,
review, conference proceeding,
• Write importance(purpose),method(what u did),results(what you found)
• No use of references,tables,figures,abbreviations
• May be structured or unstructured
• Usually 250-300 words
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22. DISSERTATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• The acknowledgements section is usually optional, and gives space for you to
thank everyone who helped you in writing your dissertation.
• This might include your supervisors, LAB PERSONNEL, participants in
your research, and friends or family who supported you.
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23. • OPTIONAL
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OF A THESIS

24. CONTENTS OF A THESIS
1. Title
2. Introduction
3. Purpose
4. Review Of Literature
5. Methodology & Stastical analysis
6. Results
7. Discussion
8. Conclusion
9. References
10. Recommendations
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25. CONTENTS OF A THESIS
1. TITLE: Title reflects content of the thesis ..SHOULD SUMMARIZE THE TOPIC
How to select and write a title ?
• Be specific & accurate -- in single phrase
• Use concise but informative title….
• Short, descriptive,. Fewest possible words-- 10–12 words
• Not be too long or too short.
• Avoid unnecessary phrases such as “Observations on” or “A study
of”. “A study of...”, “An investigation of...”
• It should not contain abbreviations i.e no SHORT FORMS in the title
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26. :
2 .INTRODUCTION ..WHAT IS AN INTRODUCTION ?
Introduction ---A description of the general problem followed by a statement of the specific
problem and the motivation for the study
How it should written ?
• It SHOULD BE designed with a specific question in mind.
CONTENTS OF A THESIS
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27. WHAT TO WRITE IN THE
INTRODUCTION?
The first paragraph
The second paragraph
The last paragraph
what we learn
What we are now showing
(why the study was done).
should state the rationale, hypothesis,
main objective, or purpose
what is known
what is un-known

28. 3.REVIEW OF LITERATURE--THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK
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29. WHAT IS LITERATURE REVIEW?
• Collecting sources (e.g. books and journal articles) and selecting the most relevant
ones
• ‘…a systematic method for identifying, Critically evaluating and interpreting and
synthesis of the…work published by researchers, scholars and practitioners.’
• Filtering & sorting the essentials from the irrelevant…
• Drawing connections between them (e.g. themes, patterns, conflicts, gaps) to make an
overall point
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30. NEED FOR THE LITERATURE
REVIEW
• To assess the level theory and research—to find what already is known and
what is to be investigated in the specific field of the study
• To identify and adopt research design, analytical methods,scales,instrument,
data analysis etc
• To understand the definitions of the established concept and variables in the
chosen field .
• To become fully aware of all the difficulties encountered by other workers and
thus avoid waste of time money in the proposed research
• To learn how to write a research report
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31. GUIDELINES FOR LIT. REVIEW…
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32. 4.MATERIALS & METHODS
• WHERE AND WHEN the study was carried out - be written in the past tense,
either in active or passive voice
• WHAT materials, techniques, samples, data, approaches, theoretical frameworks
were used in the study
• HOW the study was carried out
• WHAT procedures were used.
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33. MATERIALS & METHODS :
•..
 Method design –pilot or based on previous study--The overall approach and type of
research (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, experimental, ethnographic)
• Sample size—population of the study---Your methods of collecting data
(e.g. interviews, surveys, archives)..minimum sample size is 30
• Sample type-criteria for sample selection—inclusion & exclusion criteria— valid or
biased
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34. MATERIALS & METHODS
• Sample preparation – be written and done in standardised way
• Sample grouping—all groups should have similar sample size—
• Processing technique should be similar
• –properly mention the tools and materials you used in the study (e.g. computer
programs, lab equipment, UTM,SEM Etc)
• Statistical analysis—how were the data analysed and appropriate test
• An evaluation or justification of your methods
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35. MATERIALS & METHODS--STATISTICS
• Statistical methods should be to standard works when possible Any computer
programs used should be identified.
• Statistical terms, abbreviations, and symbols should be properly defined.
• It is recommended to include the word “considered” in descriptions of statistical
significance such as “a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically
significant”
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36. 6.RESULTS: CLEAR EXPOSITION OF FINDINGS.
• It serves to weave a coherent story and must communicate the findings
to the reader in a logical, transparent manner.
Arrange data in logical manner (in table)
• Cross-check reference to figures/tables in the text
• Give proper credit to figures/tables taken from other sources
• All statistical analyses, where appropriate, should be described
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37. Graph or Table?
• Tables can be used to display precise numeric values
• Figures are better for conveying trends or proportions
• Clear, succinct graphs, charts, photographs, and drawings can
quickly convey the primary findings of research
• The figure legends should provide a detailed description of the
corresponding figure
• Explain each symbol in the figure (typically arrow heads, arrows,
asterisks)
• Label should be clear (e.g., scale bar on SEM)
RESULTS ----DATA PRESENTATION -
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• Figures should be numbered consecutively according to the order in which they have been first cited
in the text.
• When symbols, arrows, numbers, or letters are used to identify parts of the illustrations, each one
should be explained clearly in the legend.
Illustrations Graphs are used to illustrate relationships

39. RESULTS SECTION - COMMON
PITFALLS
• The same data are presented in figure (graph) and table
• Data presented in the table are simply stated (without
describing the trend, making comparison, highlighting anomaly,
etc.)
• Unusual trend in data is ignored (not highlighted)
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41. 7.DISCUSSION
• Start writing with research question of study and aims
• Discuss the methodology and standardization of the work
• Discuss strengths and weaknesses, limitations, flaws, of the study ---
• Discuss is there any controversy presented about the topic—
AGREEMENT AND DISAGREEMENT
• .
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42. DISCUSSION: .CLEAR, FACTUAL. .SUPPORTED BY FINDINGS FROM
RESULTS.
• Correlate your findings to findings of other people.
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43. 9.SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS
• Should be linked with the goals & boundaries of the study.
• Avoid unqualified statements and conclusions not completely supported by the
data.
• GIVE SUMMARY ABOUT
PROS AND CONS ,
ADDITIONAL STUDY,
LEAVE QWESTION OF FUTURE.
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44. RECOMMENDATIONS:
• Suggestion for future work.---- It suggests actions to be taken based on
findings
• It is related and part of to conclusions
• It is NOT based on biases or beliefs that are not supported data
 Two types of recommendations
1. To recommend actions to be taken based on findings
2.• To recommend actions to other researchers for further research
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45. 10.REFERENCES
• The number of references should be restricted to those that have a direct bearing on the work described.
• In the Harvard system, the order of references at the end of the paper is strictly alphabetical, regardless of the
chronology.
• In Vancouver system references should be numbered consecutively in the order in which they are
first mentioned in the text.
•
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46. • References in text, tables and legends should be identified by Arabic numerals (1,2,3…) in parentheses.
• References cited only in tables or figure legends should be numbered in accordance with the sequence
established by the first identification in the text of the particular table or figure
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REFERENCES

47. WHAT
TO EXPECT FROM YOUR GUIDE / MENTOR
• • Intellectual support
• • Quality assurance
• • What standard a thesis should reach
• • Indication of when to stop
• • Emotional support
• • Encouragement
• • Constructive atmosphere
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48. FINAL TOUCH FOR YOUR THESIS
• Check and recheck your thesis and make it free from mistakes.
• Be well informed on matters .. Or loose time
• Conduct periodic keyword searches in various computerized databases to
recognize new problems or angles related to your topic
• When reviewing the literature, Choose the best indexed journals
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49. SUBMITTING THE THESIS
--last formal requirement for most students
• By the final deadline, the student must submit a complete copy of the thesis to the
appropriate body within the accepting institution, along with the appropriate forms,
bearing the signatures of the primary supervisor, the examiners, and, in some cases,
the head of the student's department.
• Other required forms may include library authorizations (giving the university library
permission to make the thesis available as part of its collection) and copyright
permissions
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50. • A good thesis subject matter is interesting to you, your guide or advisor, and
the research community
• Finally, write an Implications(generalization) of Research page that will tell
about new knowledge that your research is going to come up with.
• Do not get disappointed if your thesis cannot meet the academic standards
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FINAL TOUCH FOR YOUR THESIS

51. TAKE HOME MESSAGE
Practice the best policy as guide
1 .Speech is silver
2 .Silence is gold
3.If you talk with Knowledge and wisdom it is PLATINUM.
A DIDICATED THESIS HAS SUPPORT OF
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