This document outlines the key components that should be included in a synopsis for a dissertation or research article for FCPS trainees. The synopsis is a brief 4 page outline that includes the following sections: title, introduction, objectives, operational definitions, hypotheses, study design, setting, duration, sample size, sampling technique, data collection procedure, data analysis procedure, and references. The objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. The data collection instrument such as a proforma or questionnaire should also be included as an annex to the synopsis.

1. FORMAT OF SYNOPSIS A brief Discussion on the components of FCPS synopsis writing

2. BEFORE STARTING Before starting to work on Dissertation/Article, the FCPS trainee has to send a Synopsis to RTMC and get it approved. The synopsis is a brief out line (about four A-4 size pages or 1000 words is the maximum limit) of your future work

3. The synopsis is a brief out line

4. SYNOPSIS HEADINGS A synopsis must have the following headings: TITLE INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVES OPERATIONAL DEFINITION HYPOTHESIS MATERIAL AND METHODS

5. TITLE Should reflect the objectives of the study. It must be written after the whole synopsis has been written so that it is a true representative of the plan…… (i.e. the synopsis).

6. INTRODUCTION Should contain brief background of the selected topic. It must identify the importance of study, its relevance and applicability of results. It must clearly state the purpose of the study.

7. RATIONALE/ SIGNIFICANCE/ NEED STATEMENT It must identify the importance of study, its relevance and applicability of results. It must clearly state the purpose of the study.

8. OBJECTIVES Objectives are statements of mentions. They inform the reader clearly what the researcher plans to do in his/her work. The must identify the variables involved in research. Objective should start with an action verb and be sufficiently specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound (SMART).

9. OBJECTIVES General Specific

10. SMART TIME BOUND RELEVANT ACHIEVABLE MEASURABLE SUFFICIENTLY SPECIFIC SMART

11. OPERATIONAL DEFINITION May be required in some synopses. It is definition of a term specifically telling how it will be measured for e.g.: Morbidity: this encompass a number of aspects viz. prolonged hospital stay, severe pain, immediate complications, long term sequelae. A research must define how a vague term will be measured.

12. Efficacy Efficacy: These can by measured i. Time taken in relieve of symptoms which may be pain, fever cough heartburn etc. ii. Taking into account number of side effects. iii. Time taken for complete recovery student is requirement to specify how he/she will measure efficacy.

13. HYPOTHESIS A hypothesis is a statement showing expected relation b/w 2 variables. A hypothesis is needed in the following study designs: All interventional studies Cohort Case control Comparative cross sectional.

14. STUDY DESIGN Mention the name of the appropriate study design.

15. SETTING Name and place where the research work is to be conducted

16. DURATION OF STUDY How long will the study take with dates

17. SAMPLE SIZE How many patients will be included. If there are groups how many per group? You need a statistician for this work

18. SAMPLING TECHNIQUE Type of sampling technique employed Sampling is that part of statistical practice concerned with the selection of individual observations intended to yield some knowledge about a population of concern, especially for the purposes of statistical inference.

19. TWO REASONS Researchers rarely survey the entire population for two reasons: The cost is too high and The population is dynamic, i.e., the component of population could change over time.

20. THREE MAIN ADVANTAGES There are three main advantages of sampling: The cost is lower Data collection is faster It is possible to ensure homogeneity and to improve the accuracy and quality of the data because the data

21. OBSERVATION Each observation measures one or more properties (weight, location, etc.) of an observable entity enumerated to distinguish objects or individuals. Survey weights often need to be applied to the data to adjust for the sample design. Results from probability theory and statistical theory are employed to guide practice. In business, sampling is widely used for gathering information about a population.

22. SAMPLE SELECTION Inclusion criteria: on what bases will patients be inducted in the study. Exclusion criteria: On what bases will patients be excluded from the study.

23. DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE A detailed account of how the researcher will perform research; How s/he will measure the variable. It includes: Identification of the study variables Methods for collection of data Data collection tools (Performa/questionnaire)

24. DATA ANALYSIS PROCEDURE Relevant details naming software to be used, which descriptive statistics and which test of significance if and when required, specifying variables where it will be applied.

25. REFERENCES In Vancouver style (for detail refer to page 132).

26. DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT

27. PROFORMA OR QUESTIONNAIRE The researcher must attach, as an annex, the proforma or questionnaire with the help of which he/she intends to collect data. The proforma/ questionnaire must match the objectives and must not contain irrelevant sections like inclusion and exclusion criteria etc.