FORMAT OF SYNOPSISA brief Discussion on the components of FCPS synopsis writing

BEFORE STARTINGBefore 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

SYNOPSIS HEADINGSA synopsis must have the following headings:TITLEINTRODUCTIONOBJECTIVESOPERATIONAL DEFINITIONHYPOTHESISMATERIAL AND METHODS

TITLEShould 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

INTRODUCTIONShould 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.

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

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).

OBJECTIVES

SMART

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONMay 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.

EfficacyEfficacy: These can by measuredi. 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.

HYPOTHESISA hypothesis is a statement showing expected relation b/w 2 variables. A hypothesis is needed in the following study designs:All interventional studiesCohortCase controlComparative cross sectional.

STUDY DESIGNMention the name of the appropriate study design.

SETTINGName and place where the research work is to be conducted

DURATION OF STUDYHow long will the study take with dates

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

SAMPLING TECHNIQUEType of sampling technique employedSampling 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.

TWO REASONSResearchers 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.

THREE MAIN ADVANTAGESThere are three main advantages of sampling: The cost is lowerData collection is fasterIt is possible to ensure homogeneity and to improve the accuracy and quality of the data because the data

OBSERVATIONEach 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.

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

DATA COLLECTION PROCEDUREA 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)

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.

REFERENCESIn Vancouver style (for detail refer to page 132).

DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT

PROFORMA OR QUESTIONNAIREThe 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.