dissertation definition in medicine

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Formal MD Thesis Requirement

All students at Yale School of Medicine engage in research and are required to write an MD thesis during medical school. The only exceptions are students who have earned a PhD degree in the health sciences before matriculation and students enrolled in Yale’s MD/PhD program. The YSM MD Thesis is under the governance of the EPCC, which meets regularly to recommend rules, regulations, and deadlines.

Deadlines/Important Dates

Thesis approval process, thesis awards, required formatting and components of the md thesis, examples for reference section formatting, avoiding the risk of copyright violation and liability when submitting your md thesis, instructions for submitting a thesis to the yale medicine thesis digital library, thesis depositors declaration form, evaluations of advisor, student evaluation of thesis advisor.

• Yale School of Medicine Digital Thesis Depositor’s Declaration Form
• Thesis Deadline Extension Request Form

Thesis Deadlines for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

Md students:.

The Office of Student Research, in conjunction with the Dean’s Office, has established the following deadlines for theses submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for graduation in May 2024. The deadlines ensure that (1) students have sufficient time to complete their theses; (2) that there is sufficient time for rigorous departmental review and subsequent revision by students before final approval. These deadlines are strictly followed. Students are strongly encouraged to submit their theses well before the Class of 2024 Thesis Deadlines provided below. This timeliness will provide students, advisors, and sponsoring departments sufficient time for useful review and revision. It should be recognized by all concerned that the integrity of the thesis requirement and effective, rigorous review requires adherence to these deadlines. OSR will hold periodic “Thesis Check-in Sessions” via zoom for the Class of 2024 and will send periodic reminder emails with more detailed instructions as these deadlines approach.

*Students missing the August 4th, January 19th, and/or March 29th deadlines will be referred to the Progress Committee to ensure they receive adequate support to make progress towards this graduation requirement. Students missing the January 19th and/or March 29th deadlines will be ineligible for thesis prizes at graduation.

Extensions beyond the above thesis deadlines will be granted only for special circumstances and must have the approval of the student’s thesis mentor/advisor, academic advisor, and the Departmental Thesis Chairperson . Students seeking an extension for the January 19, 2024, deadline must submit a Thesis Deadline Extension Request Form to their Academic Advisor, and the Departmental Thesis Chair, for approval. Students missing the August 4th, January 19th, and/or March 29th deadlines will be referred to the Progress Committee to ensure they receive adequate support to make progress towards this graduation requirement. In the event of an extension, if granted, the following ABSOLUTE Class of 2024 Thesis Extension Deadlines will apply:

*All late theses require an extension. The student must submit the Thesis Deadline Extension Request Form before January 19, 2024.

MD/MHS Students:

Consistent with degree requirements, MD/MHS students must present their thesis to their three-person committee prior to the January 19th deadline. Students are encouraged to start arranging the date of this committee meeting in the fall to avoid unanticipated delays.

MD/PhD Students:

A different process applies to students in the MD/PhD program. For students enrolled in the combined MD/PhD Program, the dissertation submitted to and approved by the Graduate School will satisfy the MD thesis requirement. Therefore, MD/PhD students who have already defended their dissertation and received their PhD should provide this information to OSR via email as soon as possible.

To ensure compliance with YSM graduation deadlines, MD/PhD students in the class of 2024 who have not defended and submitted their dissertation to the Graduate School by the October 1, 2023, deadline will need to submit a copy of their dissertation directly to OSR via the MD/PhD Box Upload Link by March 15, 2024. OSR will convene a committee to review the dissertation, obtain feedback, and provide approval for graduation. Please note that MD/PhD students must also defend and submit their dissertation to the Graduate School no later than March 15, 2024, to meet the Graduate School spring degree deadline for conferral of the PhD degree. MD/PhD students who have not yet defended their dissertation should provide this information to OSR. If there are any questions about the process, please contact the MD/PhD Office.

Financial support is not provided for writing the thesis.

Thesis Preparation and Approval

Preparation for thesis submission begins in the summer of the fourth year with the OSR leadership. At this time, timeline and practices are distributed via email and reviewed with students in class meetings. Because thesis approval is a lengthy process involving three levels of review, students are encouraged to manage their time well and start writing their first draft early in the fall semester of their final year of medical school. A suggested timeline is provided below.

July : Thesis deadlines are distributed via email to all students in the graduating class and an informational session is held. Students should be on track to complete their thesis research by mid-fall. Any student anticipating a challenge in this regard should contact the OSR as soon as possible. All students expecting to graduate in May of a given year must, provide the OSR with information regarding their thesis title and mentor/advisor. Students will receive an email from the OSR containing a Medtrics link requesting this information. The OSR will contact all thesis mentors/advisors to confirm this role and to provide information and expectations regarding the thesis process.

August – December : Students should be finalizing research and writing their thesis draft. As the semester progresses, activities should shift from the data generation/analysis to the writing of the actual thesis. Students should do their best to complete the first draft of the thesis by mid-late December. Because students are also involved in the residency application and interview process, they are discouraged from starting new projects at this time.

December – January : This period is devoted to reviewing and editing of thesis draft that is ultimately approved by their thesis mentor/advisor and submitted by the student to the Thesis Chair of their sponsoring department. The YSM thesis mentor/advisor will be asked to complete a thesis assessment that evaluates the student’s mastery of YSM’s research-related educational objectives and provides formative summative feedback to the student.

January – March : The Departmental Thesis Chair coordinates thesis review by external reviewers. An “external reviewer” is defined as an individual who is not directly involved in the project. This individual may be a Yale faculty member internal or external to YSM or may hold a faculty appointment at an outside institution. This reviewer is required to complete a thesis assessment and provide formative summative feedback, as well as recommendations for any required changes, to the thesis. Departmental Thesis Chairs review assessments, notify students of departmental approval, and transmit these approvals to the OSR.

March : Theses and their associated assessments undergo school-level review by the OSR. Students receive YSM approval of their thesis along with summative feedback obtained during the review process. Students incorporate any required changes into their thesis and upload to the Yale Medicine Digital Thesis Library/Eli Scholar via the ProQuest platform (see below).

April : The OSR confirms that theses have been deposited into the Yale Medicine Digital Thesis Library and the registrar receives the names of students who have completed the thesis requirement.

The central role of the medical student thesis is to assess student’s performance on the YSM’s research-related educational objectives. As such, all students are expected to produce an excellent piece of scholarly work. In recognition of these achievements, the OSR has worked to develop an award process that celebrates the wonderful research being done by our students without creating a competitive atmosphere surrounding the thesis. Hence, thesis awards are based on competency-based assessments submitted by thesis mentors/advisors and reviewers during the approval process, and internal review of the final thesis that was deposited into the Yale Medicine Digital Thesis Library. Consistent with all other graduation prizes, YSM MD Thesis Awards will remain confidential until they are announced in the YSM Commencement Program on May 20, 2024. While some departments may elect to confer thesis “honors” based upon their own internal review, this recognition is distinct from YSM graduation prizes and is not under OSR’s purview.

Read about the required formatting and components for the thesis .

See helpful examples for reference section formatting.

Read about avoiding the risk of copyright violation and liability when submitting your MD Thesis.

Learn more about submitting a thesis to the Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library .

Learn more about the Thesis Depositors Declaration Form.

Learn more about evaluating your experience with your thesis advisor .

Apply for a Thesis Extension

Read about the required formatting and components for the thesis.

Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine

Learn more about the journal or submit a manuscript.

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Biomedical Sciences: Theses and Dissertations

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Introduction

Theses and dissertations are documents that present an author's research findings, which are submitted to the University in support of their academic degree. They are very useful to consult when carrying out your own research because they:

• provide a springboard to scope existing literature
• provide inspiration for the finished product
• show you the evolution of an author's ideas over time
• provide relevant and up-to-date research (for recent theses and dissertations)

On this page you will find guidance on how to search for and access theses and dissertations in the Bodleian Libraries and beyond.

Definitions

Terms you may encounter in your research.

Thesis: In the UK, a thesis is normally a document that presents an author's research findings as part of a doctoral or research programme.

Dissertation: In the UK, a dissertation is normally a document that presents an author's research findings as part of an undergraduate or master's programme.

DPhil: An abbreviation for Doctor of Philosophy, which is an advanced research qualification. You may also see it referred to as PhD.

ORA: The Oxford University Research Archive , an institutional repository for the University of Oxford's research output including digital theses.

Theses and dissertations

• Reading theses and dissertations in the Bodleian Libraries

The Bodleian Libraries collection holds DPhil, MLitt and MPhil theses deposited at the University of Oxford, which you can consult. You may also be interested to read theses and dissertations beyond the University of Oxford, some of which can be read online, or you can request an inter-library loan.

Help with theses and dissertations

To find out more about how to find and access theses and dissertations in the Bodleian Libraries and beyond, we recommend the following:

• Bodleian Libraries theses and dissertations Links to information on accessing the Bodleian Libraries collections of Oxford, UK, US and other international theses.
• Oxford University Research Archive guide
• Help & guidance for digital theses Information on copyright, how to deposit your thesis in ORA and other important matters
• Guide to copyright The Bodleian Libraries' Quick guide to copyright and digital sources.

Plagiarism checking tools

Read the University academic good practice page.

Seek your Supervisor or Tutor's guidance. In addition, your Supervisor or Tutor may decide to submit your work to Turnitin, accessible to teaching staff only. Visit the Turnitin website for product information.

Consult books - suggested reading:

• Neville, C. (2016). The complete guide to referencing and avoiding plagiarism (3rd ed.).  Maidenhead: Open University Press. Title available in e-book and print format - shelfmark PN171.F56 NEV 2016 in the Radcliffe Science Library 
• Pears, R. & Shields, G.J. (2019). Cite them right: the essential referencing guide (11th ed.) Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Title available in e-book format

Depositing your thesis

It is mandatory for students completing a research degree at the University of Oxford (registered to a programme of study on or after 1st October 2007) to deposit an electronic copy of their theses with the Oxford University Research Archive (ORA) in order to meet the requirements of their award. To find out more, visit the Oxford University Research Archive guide.

Quick access to research & writing guides

• Research integrity and ethics The University of Oxford regards research integrity as a core value and has a longstanding commitment to ensuring that it is embedded in its research culture and activity
• Academic good practice Advice on academic good practice including avoiding plagiarism, managing your time, reading, note taking, referencing and revision.
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Writing a dissertation

• Related content
• Peer review
• Paul Stephenson , third year medical student 1 ,
• David Brigden , professor of health sciences education 1
• 1 University of Chester, School of Medical Education, University of Liverpool

Don't worry if you haven't got a clue, Paul Stephenson and David Brigden present a step by step guide to completing one successfully

The dissertation forms the cornerstone of most undergraduate degree programmes. It provides the student with an opportunity to develop research skills and critical thinking techniques; it is also often the first real test of a student's report writing skills. Given its importance, it is perhaps surprising that many students do not know what a dissertation actually entails—that is, of course, until they've done one. Unfortunately, many students get to grips with the process only through experience, and the first one can therefore be an uncomfortable and steep learning curve.

The dissertation has played an increasingly important part in undergraduate medical education. This is a direct consequence of the General Medical Council's recommendations set out in Tomorrow's Doctors , which says that the GMC “expects” between 25% and 33% of a standard five year course to include student selected components. These components should give the student the opportunity to w1 :

Learn about and begin to develop and use research skills

Have greater control over their own learning

Study topics of particular interest outside the core curriculum

Develop greater confidence in their own skills and abilities

Present the results of their work verbally, visually, or in writing

Consider potential career paths.

Given the above list of criteria it is perhaps not surprising that the student selected component is often synonymous with a dissertation. However, it should be emphasised that this is not necessarily the case. The student selected component can be presented verbally or visually (as well as in writing); Student BMJ has published articles on these topics. w2 w3 w4 w5 w6

This article therefore discusses how to research and write up a dissertation. It is aimed at medical undergraduates without experience of writing long essays; it may also be useful to any medical professional who feels their writing methods could be improved.

We consider the dissertation process to include three main activities: planning, searching the literature, and writing up.

Planning a dissertation

The key is to approach the planning systematically. The following are aspects you may wish to consider:

List all activities involved in completing your dissertation ( box 1 )

Order items chronologically, noting which can proceed simultaneously as opposed to those that have to occur sequentially

Estimate the time that each item is likely to take. Also remember that your dissertation needs to fit in with other commitments. (It is often useful to set out a visual representation of your dissertation on a calendar.)

Box 1: What a dissertation entails

Background reading

Searching the literature

Drawing up a questionnaire

Doing interviews

Statistical analysis

Tabulating results

Compiling a bibliography

Proofreading

One clear way to make sure your dissertation is achievable is to have concrete aims and objectives in mind. These should be as SMART as possible:

Specific—having just one indicator

Measurable—show a change from the baseline

Achievable—be realistic and fit with timescales

Relevant—move the project towards its goal

Timely—divide up into milestones.

The aim can also help formulate the title of your work, which should be explicit without being too wordy. In the title seek to indicate:

Subject area

Specific aspect of analysis

Method of analysis

Any geographical or historical focus.

To write a good dissertation is challenging but ultimately rewarding. Remember that to achieve this goal planning and preparation are essential.

Literature search

Research in its myriad forms is at the heart of many activities that underpin the quality agenda in the delivery of health care; it is also one of the central tenets that underpin continuing professional development. In this section we consider the place of the literature search and propose a framework for doing the search.

A literature search may be done for many reasons ( box 2 ). A proper literature search entails systematic exploration of relevant material already produced on a particular topic.

Box 2: Why do a literature search?

Discover what exists on a topic

Increase your knowledge of that topic

Use earlier work as a foundation or a springboard

Find gaps, errors, or inconsistencies in previous work

Generate ideas for your own work

Avoid duplication of previous work

Justify and lend authority to your work

The following is a proposed approach which should help maximise your efforts.

Mind mapping

Use the mind map technique to put down what you know about a topic.

Draw up a search net

Having identified all the relevant terms you can now do a search strategy. Order your terms from the general to the specific so that you end up with a linguistic net in which to “catch” relevant material. You can then alter the size of the holes in the net depending on how much or little you find. Figure 2 is an example of a hierarchy of search terms. 2

Many students prefer to start a literature search with the internet. However, it is always worth cross checking web based information against traditional sources; the internet is quicker, but the material is often less reliable. Journal articles also usually have a comprehensive bibliography, which allows you to build up a bank of useful references quickly.

Record your results

Keep a record of potentially useful articles you discover. Make sure you record all the details necessary for the bibliography that will form the end section of your dissertation. It is a good idea to document these details in the required format as you go along to avoid hours of painstaking work at the end. Be sure to know when to stop. It is easy to go on searching for new material, ending up with too much to read and too little time to do anything else.

Analysis and further research

What is the next step once you have all these references and information? This depends on the reasons for your search in the first place. For some it will be a process of analysing primary texts and building up an argument giving reasons as to why they agree or disagree with other writers. Others may use the findings as a platform for their own research.

This is why the literature search is so important: it shows not only what others have done but how they did it. As long as you reference your sources, it is quite legitimate to adopt or adapt other people's theories, approaches, or methods.

Unfortunately, and there's no avoiding this, writing a dissertation takes time and often entails writing a number of drafts before your writing lucidly expresses what you intend it to. In practical terms, leaving writing up to some “mythical writing-up stage” near the end often means that work is submitted which is still only in draft format as there has been insufficient time to shape and craft your report. However gifted you may be at practical work or research, this might be difficult to prove if your written account is not of an equally high standard.

It is therefore important to start writing your dissertation from the outset and thereafter write regularly. The more time you have between getting down your first ideas and their final expression, the more polished the final version will be. And of course, you can write material in any order. So, make a start on the dissertation as early as you can, constructing a “shell” for it as shown in box 3 . Get in the habit of making regular back-ups of all electronic files. It's bad enough losing an hour's work when your computer crashes but to lose your entire work is heartbreaking.

Box 3: Structure of a dissertation

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Literature search

Chapter 3: Methodology

Chapter 4: Results

Chapter 5: Analysis or discussion

Chapter 6: Conclusions

Let your dissertation grow, rather than see it as an intimidating whole. Remember, the introduction is normally done last; it's only when you've been there that you can signpost the route for others.

Presentation

It is a good idea to decide on the look of your document at the outset. While a well written and presented dissertation is not necessarily a good dissertation, attention to the issues detailed in box 4 will certainly make it better.

Box 4: Formatting and editing

Begin each section on a new page

Avoid having single, stray lines of text at the top or bottom of pages if they form part of a paragraph

Use double spacing

Write on one side of the page only

Quotations and notes can be written in single line spacing

Use standard default for margins; don't try to cram too much on a page

Number tables, charts, and figures and add suitable captions

Short quotations should be set apart in their own indented paragraphs

Use lower case, normal font for your text (including quotations) saving italics and bold for headings and special words

Justified text looks neater

Material that is not part of the main argument (eg database sheets, computer printouts, questionnaires) should be included as an appendix

Numbers from one to nine are conventionally written as words, with those greater than 10 written as numbers

Generally, do not use abbreviations (unless defined earlier in the text)

And finally

The best reports are produced by students who are willing to criticise their own work. If a section of text is untidy, it will pay to make the effort to improve it. Equally, be prepared to take out a section of text if it is not necessary; don't stubbornly hold on to a well crafted paragraph just because it took you a whole morning to put it together. Above all, a good dissertation should be easy to read; it should flow from start to finish in a logical order. This is often where undergraduate students fall down.

References w1-w6 are on student.bmj.com .

(Paul Stephenson and David Brigden - January 2008)

Amita Mukhopadhyay

(January 18th, 2008)

Assistant Professor, Community Medicine, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Kancheepuram Dist, Tamilnadu 603103, India dr.amukho{at}gmail.com

Dear Editor, I would like to comment on the article "Writing a dissertation". Paul Stephenson and David Brigden have presented a comprehensive, yet lucid overview of a task that gives nightmares to many medical students. A doctor is responsible not only for clinical care, but also for recording and reporting new discoveries to the entire medical profession. It takes years of practice to become a good researcher and writer and the sooner you start the better, as I tell my second year undergraduate students. They are expected to research a topic of their interest and present the findings in dissertation form at the end of their Community Medicine posting. We encourage them to master the basic concepts of research methodology and dissertation writing right from the early stages. This article will be a very useful and informative point of reference in going about that job.

Originally published as: Student BMJ 2008;16:024

Writing A Medicine Dissertation: Tips And Tricks

Writing a dissertation can be an intimidating and challenging task for those in the medical field. It requires careful planning, research and dedication to ensure that the paper meets all of the required criteria.

This article provides tips and tricks to help make the process easier by providing guidance on topics such as structure, content, research methods and sources of reference materials.

The writing process can be daunting but with the right approach it can be a rewarding experience. By following the advice provided in this article, medical students can take steps to ensure they are successful in completing their dissertation.

With this information at hand, students will have a better understanding of what is expected of them and how to go about writing a quality dissertation.

A dissertation is a long-form piece of writing that requires extensive research on a particular topic. In the field of medicine, dissertations typically focus on an area of medical research or discuss ethical issues related to patient care, clinical trials, and drug development.

All dissertations must follow a specific format and include a literature review, methodology section, findings section, and conclusion.

When writing a medical dissertation, it is important to consider medical ethics when discussing controversial topics such as patient autonomy or informed consent. Students should also ensure they are following the guidelines of their university or institution when conducting research and writing their dissertation. Additionally, it is essential to cite any sources used throughout the paper in order to avoid plagiarism.

Creating an outline can help break up the dissertation into manageable sections and ensure that all relevant information is included. It is also beneficial to establish a timeline for each section and commit to completing certain tasks each day until the project is completed.

Finally, students should take advantage of available resources such as online tutorials or peer review groups to help them stay on track and complete their dissertation in time for their deadline.

Choosing A Topic

When writing a medicine dissertation, choosing the right topic is essential. It is important to consider the ethics considerations and ethical implications of any topic you decide to pursue. Additionally, you should think about the data gathering methods and variety of sources available for your research. When selecting your dissertation topic, it is also important to identify any research limitations that you may encounter.

It can be helpful to consult with an academic advisor or mentor when choosing your dissertation topic. They can provide guidance in narrowing down potential topics and can help you develop a clear research plan for your project. Additionally, they can point out resources that could be beneficial for data collection or further investigation into a chosen topic.

In addition to consulting with an advisor, it is important to do independent research on potential dissertation topics. Review journal articles and other literature related to the field of study in which you are interested; look at what has already been done in order to identify areas where more research is needed.

Consider if there are any practical applications or implications of researching a particular topic; ask yourself if this knowledge could lead to improvements in current health care practices or treatments?

Finally, consider how passionate you are about the subject matter before making a final decision on your dissertation topic. Writing a lengthy thesis requires dedication and hard work; if you have enthusiasm for the material, it will make the process much smoother and more enjoyable!

Research Planning

When it comes to researching for your dissertation, planning ahead can be a great advantage. It is important to familiarize yourself with the process of examining case studies, selecting research methods, avoiding plagiarism, citing sources and creating outlines. By doing so, you will gain a better understanding of the scope of your project and have an easier time organizing your thoughts.

When it comes to examining case studies, there are several things to consider. First, you should try to identify any potential biases in the study. This includes looking at the sample size and determining if there are any demographic patterns in the data. Additionally, you should also consider the research methods used in the study and determine whether they are suitable for your project or not.

Effective research requires that you properly cite all sources used in your dissertation. Not only does this help ensure accuracy, but it also helps show that you are taking ownership of your work by giving credit where credit is due.

Furthermore, it is important to avoid plagiarism when conducting research as this can lead to serious consequences such as being expelled from university or having your degree revoked.

Finally, creating an outline can be helpful for staying organized during research. This will allow you to easily organize all of your information into sections and subsections that make sense for the flow of your dissertation. Additionally, this will provide a roadmap for how your paper should progress throughout its entirety which can save valuable time in the long run by reducing the need for major revisions later on down the line.

Grammar & Style

Accurate grammar and style are integral parts of any academic writing, and they can make a big difference to the quality of your dissertation. When it comes to grammar, punctuation rules, academic conventions, and formatting styles should be followed.

This will ensure that the readers have an easier time understanding your writing which will help you communicate your ideas more effectively.

For improved writing clarity, it is important to make sure that paragraphs are well-structured, sentences are clear and concise, words are chosen carefully, and any jargon or technical language is explained.

Additionally, referencing guidelines should be followed accurately so as to avoid plagiarism. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

Ensure that all sources used in your work are properly cited with accurate references.

Double-check that all quotations have been accurately reproduced from the original source.

Make sure all references follow the accepted style set by your university or department.

It is also important to remember that good grammar and style not only helps you present your ideas more effectively but also adds value to them by showcasing your professionalism as a writer and researcher.

As such, take the time to review the content of your dissertation before submitting so that it meets all the requirements for accuracy and clarity of expression.

Literature Review

Selecting reliable sources is an important step to ensure the quality of the literature review. Evaluating existing research is necessary in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topics being discussed in the literature review.

Selecting Reliable Sources

When conducting a literature review for a medicine dissertation, it is important to identify reliable sources.

This can be done by locating a wide range of sources, evaluating the accuracy of information provided and identifying any potential bias.

An online tutor can help you with this process; they will be able to provide guidance on how to locate sources from trusted academic journals or websites, evaluate whether the information is up-to-date and accurate and look out for any signs of bias in the research that has been conducted.

By taking these steps, you will be able to build an evidence base for your research that is both reliable and valid.

In conclusion, selecting reliable sources for your literature review requires careful consideration but with guidance from an online tutor, it is achievable.

Evaluating Existing Research

Once the sources have been identified, it is important to evaluate existing research to assess its effectiveness.

This involves considering ethical considerations, such as whether the research was conducted ethically and fairly, as well as looking for alternative methods that could be used in future studies.

When evaluating existing research, it is also important to consider any limitations or flaws in the study design.

An online tutor can provide guidance on how to analyse and interpret existing research in order to assess its accuracy and reliability.

With this knowledge, you will be able to make informed decisions about how best to use existing research within your dissertation.

Ultimately, assessing existing research is a key step in ensuring that your literature review provides a comprehensive evidence base for your dissertation.

Data Collection & Analysis

Accurate data collection and analysis is a crucial part of any successful dissertation, and can make or break the quality of your work. Gathering and analyzing data properly requires careful consideration of a variety of factors, including quantitative methods, data gathering techniques, data interpretation, ethical considerations, and academic integrity.

When it comes to quantitative methods, there are many approaches you can use to gather information for your dissertation. Common methods include surveys, interviews, experiments, or observational studies. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages; you should consider which method will best fit your research topic.

Data collection is only half the battle – you must also be able to properly interpret the collected data in order to draw meaningful conclusions from it. This requires an understanding of statistical analysis techniques as well as an ability to synthesize information effectively.

Additionally, when collecting and analyzing data for a dissertation project it’s important to take into consideration any ethical implications associated with the research process. Academic integrity must be maintained at all times; any deviation from this could result in serious consequences for both you and your work.

When done correctly, collecting and analyzing data can help provide valuable insight into the topic of your dissertation while ensuring that all aspects of academic integrity are upheld. Taking the time to properly consider every step of the process will help ensure your success in completing an effective dissertation project.

Structuring The Paper

After analyzing the data collected, the next step in writing a medicine dissertation is to structure the paper.

Constructing an outline is an important part of this process, as it helps to organize ideas and ensure that all necessary points are addressed.

Additionally, identifying resources for research papers such as books, journals, and other digital sources can be beneficial when writing a dissertation.

Once resources are identified and an outline is constructed, creating drafts is the next step. As you write your drafts, citing sources appropriately according to the style guide used by your institution will help make your paper appear professional and well-researched.

After completing multiple drafts and editing them accordingly, formatting your paper according to the style guide is necessary before submitting it.

Citing sources appropriately and Formatting Paper according to Style Guide are also essential steps in structuring the paper for a medicine dissertation.

This should be done with care as any errors or omissions may lead to a lower grade or even disqualification of one’s dissertation. Therefore, it is highly recommended that these final steps are given special attention when working on a medicine dissertation.

Editing & Proofreading

When editing and proofreading a medicine dissertation, it is important to pay attention to the grammar and spelling errors. This ensures that the information is conveyed accurately and the dissertation is presented in an organized manner.

Clarity and coherence are also key aspects to consider when editing and proofreading a medicine dissertation. Proper sentence structure and the use of appropriate terminology should be used throughout the dissertation to ensure that the ideas and arguments are clear and logical.

The formatting and referencing of a medicine dissertation should also be properly checked. This involves adhering to specific guidelines and ensuring the accuracy of in-text citations and bibliographic entries.

Grammar & Spelling Errors

Grammar and spelling errors are important to take note of when editing and proofreading.

Before the digital age, many words had outdated spellings that were still in use, such as ‘colour’ instead of ‘color’. It is important to be aware of these conventions while revising your work.

Additionally, you should double check that all punctuation marks are used correctly, as well as make sure there are no word choice errors such as using “affect” instead of “effect”.

Taking the time to ensure that your paper is free from grammar and spelling errors will give it a more polished look and make it easier for readers to understand.

Therefore, it is beneficial to review your paper multiple times before submitting it for feedback or publication.

Clarity & Coherence

When editing and proofreading, it is essential to ensure that your writing is clear and coherent. This means making sure that the points you are trying to get across are easily understood by the reader.

To do this, you should reference guidelines, such as formatting requirements and presentation techniques, to make sure that all of your ideas are expressed clearly. Additionally, you should pay attention to any words or phrases that could be ambiguous or confusing and revise them accordingly.

By following these steps, you can create a well-structured paper that is both clear and concise. In the end, readers will appreciate your effort since they will be able to easily understand what you wrote and take away whatever message you intended them to receive.

Formatting & Referencing

Formatting and referencing are important aspects of editing and proofreading that must be considered in order to ensure clarity and accuracy.

It is essential to adhere to the legal requirements for citing data sources, as well as any formatting guidelines that have been provided by the publisher or instructor.

Additionally, if statistical techniques are used to analyze data, those should also be referenced properly.

Knowing the correct way to format references can help ensure that all information is accurately represented and can prevent potential issues with plagiarism.

By following these steps, writers can produce a paper that is both academically sound and free of any legal implications.

Time Management

Time management is a critical skill to develop in order to successfully complete your dissertation.

It can be difficult to stay on track with such a large project, but by creating deadlines, breaking tasks into manageable chunks, and avoiding procrastination, you can make steady progress.

Technology and support systems can help you manage your time efficiently; for example, online calendars or task tracking programs are great tools for staying organized.

Additionally, enlisting the help of peers or mentors can provide much needed accountability and motivation as you work towards completing your dissertation.

Making a plan and sticking to it will ensure that you reach the end goal of submitting your dissertation on time.

Seeking Professional Assistance

Writing a dissertation can be an overwhelming task, and many students may find themselves in need of professional assistance.

Seeking external help can help make the process smoother and more efficient.

When seeking professional assistance, it is important to ensure that your sources are accurately referenced and your data is interpreted correctly.

Furthermore, having somebody who is familiar with formatting guidelines can be immensely helpful when submitting a dissertation.

In addition, having access to writing strategies from an experienced tutor can be invaluable when writing a complex paper like a dissertation.

By enlisting the help of a professional, students can gain insight into how to best approach their project and increase their chances of success.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a medicine dissertation be.

When writing a medicine dissertation, it is important to keep in mind the expected length of the paper.

Generally, a medical dissertation should be at least 50 pages long, excluding bibliography and other supplemental material. However, depending on the topic and research methods used, the page length may vary.

Outlining expectations prior to starting the project can help students stay on track while creating their dissertation.

Additionally, citing sources correctly and avoiding plagiarism are important components of any dissertation so that proper credit is given to those whose work was utilized in completing the project.

Additionally, proofreading content as well as researching options are important steps that should not be overlooked when writing a medicine dissertation.

What Is The Best Way To Structure The Introduction Of A Medicine Dissertation?

Structuring the introduction of a medicine dissertation is an important step that should not be overlooked.

A well-structured introduction should include framing arguments, data collection, referencing techniques, researching techniques and evidence based on the topic at hand.

It is essential to ensure the audience knows why your research is important and what you hope to achieve through it.

Furthermore, it needs to be succinct yet comprehensive enough for the reader to understand the context of the dissertation.

An online tutor can help guide you through this process by providing guidance on how best to structure the introduction and make sure all necessary information has been included.

What Resources Are Available For Researching A Medicine Dissertation Topic?

When researching a medicine dissertation topic, it is essential to use reliable and up-to-date resources.

Searching databases such as PubMed and Medline can help in finding relevant research studies.

Additionally, time management strategies, outlining techniques, proofreading techniques, and referencing guidelines should all be taken into consideration when researching a dissertation topic.

Proper organization of the research process is key in order to ensure the most efficient results.

What Are The Most Common Mistakes Made When Writing A Medicine Dissertation?

Poor referencing, inadequate time management, inaccurate data analysis, and a lack of subject expertise are some of the most common mistakes made when writing a medicine dissertation.

While there can be many other errors that could be made, these particular ones can be easily avoided if the student takes the time to ensure their referencing is correct and up to date, they manage their time effectively, ensure that data is analysed accurately and thoroughly review literature in the field.

Furthermore, it is essential for students to have an adequate understanding of their chosen topic in order to write a successful dissertation.

Should I Use Footnotes Or Endnotes In My Medicine Dissertation?

When writing a medicine dissertation, the decision between using footnotes or endnotes may be difficult. It is important to consider the structuring of sources, proofreading techniques, quantitative analysis, time management and data interpretation when making this decision.

Generally speaking, footnotes are placed at the bottom of each page and provide additional information about the source cited; whereas endnotes are listed on a separate page at the end of the document.

Ultimately, it is up to personal preference as to which one you choose for your medicine dissertation.

The writing of a medicine dissertation can be a long and laborious task. It is important to ensure that the length of the dissertation is appropriate, as this will help to ensure that all relevant material is covered.

The introduction should be concise yet informative, setting out the main topic and providing an overview of what follows.

When researching for a medicine dissertation, it is important to use reliable academic sources such as journal articles, books and online databases. Taking notes throughout the research process will help make sure all relevant information is included in the final document.

Common mistakes made when writing a medicine dissertation include not properly referencing sources, poor grammar or punctuation, and overlooking plagiarism issues. When including references in the paper, footnotes are generally preferred over endnotes as they are easier to read and reference quickly.

Overall, writing a medicine dissertation can be challenging but with careful planning and attention to detail it can also be rewarding.

To ensure success when writing a medicine dissertation it is important to keep track of research materials, structure the paper appropriately, follow academic style guidelines and take care to avoid common errors such as plagiarism or poor grammar.

With dedication and hard work any student can produce an exceptional piece of work suitable for submission for their degree program.

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What Is a Dissertation? | 5 Essential Questions to Get Started

Published on 26 March 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on 5 May 2022.

A dissertation is a large research project undertaken at the end of a degree. It involves in-depth consideration of a problem or question chosen by the student. It is usually the largest (and final) piece of written work produced during a degree.

The length and structure of a dissertation vary widely depending on the level and field of study. However, there are some key questions that can help you understand the requirements and get started on your dissertation project.

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Table of contents

When and why do you have to write a dissertation, who will supervise your dissertation, what type of research will you do, how should your dissertation be structured, what formatting and referencing rules do you have to follow, frequently asked questions about dissertations.

A dissertation, sometimes called a thesis, comes at the end of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. It is a larger project than the other essays you’ve written, requiring a higher word count and a greater depth of research.

You’ll generally work on your dissertation during the final year of your degree, over a longer period than you would take for a standard essay . For example, the dissertation might be your main focus for the last six months of your degree.

Why is the dissertation important?

The dissertation is a test of your capacity for independent research. You are given a lot of autonomy in writing your dissertation: you come up with your own ideas, conduct your own research, and write and structure the text by yourself.

This means that it is an important preparation for your future, whether you continue in academia or not: it teaches you to manage your own time, generate original ideas, and work independently.

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During the planning and writing of your dissertation, you’ll work with a supervisor from your department. The supervisor’s job is to give you feedback and advice throughout the process.

The dissertation supervisor is often assigned by the department, but you might be allowed to indicate preferences or approach potential supervisors. If so, try to pick someone who is familiar with your chosen topic, whom you get along with on a personal level, and whose feedback you’ve found useful in the past.

How will your supervisor help you?

Your supervisor is there to guide you through the dissertation project, but you’re still working independently. They can give feedback on your ideas, but not come up with ideas for you.

You may need to take the initiative to request an initial meeting with your supervisor. Then you can plan out your future meetings and set reasonable deadlines for things like completion of data collection, a structure outline, a first chapter, a first draft, and so on.

Make sure to prepare in advance for your meetings. Formulate your ideas as fully as you can, and determine where exactly you’re having difficulties so you can ask your supervisor for specific advice.

Your approach to your dissertation will vary depending on your field of study. The first thing to consider is whether you will do empirical research , which involves collecting original data, or non-empirical research , which involves analysing sources.

Empirical dissertations (sciences)

An empirical dissertation focuses on collecting and analysing original data. You’ll usually write this type of dissertation if you are studying a subject in the sciences or social sciences.

• What are airline workers’ attitudes towards the challenges posed for their industry by climate change?
• How effective is cognitive behavioural therapy in treating depression in young adults?
• What are the short-term health effects of switching from smoking cigarettes to e-cigarettes?

There are many different empirical research methods you can use to answer these questions – for example, experiments , observations, surveys , and interviews.

When doing empirical research, you need to consider things like the variables you will investigate, the reliability and validity of your measurements, and your sampling method . The aim is to produce robust, reproducible scientific knowledge.

Non-empirical dissertations (arts and humanities)

A non-empirical dissertation works with existing research or other texts, presenting original analysis, critique and argumentation, but no original data. This approach is typical of arts and humanities subjects.

• What attitudes did commentators in the British press take towards the French Revolution in 1789–1792?
• How do the themes of gender and inheritance intersect in Shakespeare’s Macbeth ?
• How did Plato’s Republic and Thomas More’s Utopia influence nineteenth century utopian socialist thought?

The first steps in this type of dissertation are to decide on your topic and begin collecting your primary and secondary sources .

Primary sources are the direct objects of your research. They give you first-hand evidence about your subject. Examples of primary sources include novels, artworks and historical documents.

Secondary sources provide information that informs your analysis. They describe, interpret, or evaluate information from primary sources. For example, you might consider previous analyses of the novel or author you are working on, or theoretical texts that you plan to apply to your primary sources.

Dissertations are divided into chapters and sections. Empirical dissertations usually follow a standard structure, while non-empirical dissertations are more flexible.

Structure of an empirical dissertation

Empirical dissertations generally include these chapters:

• Introduction : An explanation of your topic and the research question(s) you want to answer.
• Literature review : A survey and evaluation of previous research on your topic.
• Methodology : An explanation of how you collected and analysed your data.
• Results : A brief description of what you found.
• Discussion : Interpretation of what these results reveal.
• Conclusion : Answers to your research question(s) and summary of what your findings contribute to knowledge in your field.

Sometimes the order or naming of chapters might be slightly different, but all of the above information must be included in order to produce thorough, valid scientific research.

Other dissertation structures

If your dissertation doesn’t involve data collection, your structure is more flexible. You can think of it like an extended essay – the text should be logically organised in a way that serves your argument:

• Introduction: An explanation of your topic and the question(s) you want to answer.
• Main body: The development of your analysis, usually divided into 2–4 chapters.
• Conclusion: Answers to your research question(s) and summary of what your analysis contributes to knowledge in your field.

The chapters of the main body can be organised around different themes, time periods, or texts. Below you can see some example structures for dissertations in different subjects.

• Political philosophy

This example, on the topic of the British press’s coverage of the French Revolution, shows how you might structure each chapter around a specific theme.

This example, on the topic of Plato’s and More’s influences on utopian socialist thought, shows a different approach to dividing the chapters by theme.

This example, a master’s dissertation on the topic of how writers respond to persecution, shows how you can also use section headings within each chapter. Each of the three chapters deals with a specific text, while the sections are organised thematically.

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Like other academic texts, it’s important that your dissertation follows the formatting guidelines set out by your university. You can lose marks unnecessarily over mistakes, so it’s worth taking the time to get all these elements right.

Formatting guidelines concern things like:

• line spacing
• page numbers
• punctuation
• title pages
• presentation of tables and figures

If you’re unsure about the formatting requirements, check with your supervisor or department. You can lose marks unnecessarily over mistakes, so it’s worth taking the time to get all these elements right.

How will you reference your sources?

Referencing means properly listing the sources you cite and refer to in your dissertation, so that the reader can find them. This avoids plagiarism by acknowledging where you’ve used the work of others.

Keep track of everything you read as you prepare your dissertation. The key information to note down for a reference is:

• The publication date
• Page numbers for the parts you refer to (especially when using direct quotes)

Different referencing styles each have their own specific rules for how to reference. The most commonly used styles in UK universities are listed below.

You can use the free APA Reference Generator to automatically create and store your references.

APA Reference Generator

The words ‘ dissertation ’ and ‘thesis’ both refer to a large written research project undertaken to complete a degree, but they are used differently depending on the country:

• In the UK, you write a dissertation at the end of a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and you write a thesis to complete a PhD.
• In the US, it’s the other way around: you may write a thesis at the end of a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and you write a dissertation to complete a PhD.

The main difference is in terms of scale – a dissertation is usually much longer than the other essays you complete during your degree.

Another key difference is that you are given much more independence when working on a dissertation. You choose your own dissertation topic , and you have to conduct the research and write the dissertation yourself (with some assistance from your supervisor).

Dissertation word counts vary widely across different fields, institutions, and levels of education:

• An undergraduate dissertation is typically 8,000–15,000 words
• A master’s dissertation is typically 12,000–50,000 words
• A PhD thesis is typically book-length: 70,000–100,000 words

However, none of these are strict guidelines – your word count may be lower or higher than the numbers stated here. Always check the guidelines provided by your university to determine how long your own dissertation should be.

At the bachelor’s and master’s levels, the dissertation is usually the main focus of your final year. You might work on it (alongside other classes) for the entirety of the final year, or for the last six months. This includes formulating an idea, doing the research, and writing up.

A PhD thesis takes a longer time, as the thesis is the main focus of the degree. A PhD thesis might be being formulated and worked on for the whole four years of the degree program. The writing process alone can take around 18 months.

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Writing a medical thesis: tips for post-graduate students.

What is a medical thesis?

A medical thesis is the written work resulting from an original research in the field of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and other health and life sciences. It is submitted by the students in order to obtain a higher degree from the University.

However, keep this in mind! The purpose of submitting a medical thesis is not limited to the achievement of a doctoral or post-graduate degree. It is a medium to organize the scientific knowledge in a way to make further progress in the field.

That’s the reason why the experts in  medical thesis writing  stress on the importance of choosing the right topic for your thesis. You must be able to address a genuine problem or series of problems through your medical thesis. Choose a topic that aligns with your interest and where you can offer a fresh perspective through your research study.

Writing your medical thesis

After choosing the topic for your research study, collaborate with your supervisor to design your research study and its goal. Collect all the information and data pertaining to your research before proceeding with your clinical trials.

Now, you are ready with your research data and clinical findings. You just need to pen down your findings in your medical thesis.

That sounds easy, isn’t it?

In reality, it’s not so. But, you need not worry!  Writing a medical thesis  becomes easy and fun if you follow the given steps with competence:

1.Outline the structure of medical thesis

Prepare an outline of the thesis in accordance with the following sections:

• Introduction: Why did you start your study?
• Methods Used
• Results of the study
• Discussion of results

List the major sections and chapters in each. Do a section at a time. Assemble all the figures and tables and organise them into a logical sequence.

2.Writing a title of the thesis

The title reflects the content of your thesis. For writing a perfect thesis title:

• Be concise and accurate. The title must neither be too long nor too short
• Avoid unnecessary words and phrases like “Observation of” or “A study of”
• Do not use abbreviations
• Avoid grammatical mistakes

3.Writing an Introduction

The purpose of writing an Introduction is to provide the reader with sufficient background information on the topic and help him understand and evaluate the results of the present study, without needing to refer to the previous publications on the topic.

• Give this background information in brief in the first paragraph
• Include the importance of the problem and what is unknown about it in the second paragraph
• State the purpose, hypothesis, and objective of your study in the last paragraph

Cite the research papers written on your research topic

• Include unnecessary information other than the problem being examined
• Include the research design, data or conclusion of your study
• Cite well-known facts
• Include information found in any textbook in the field

4.Writing the section of “Methods Used”

This section must be so written that the reader is able to repeat the study and validate its findings.

Write a detailed exposition about the participants in the study, what materials you used and how you analyzed the results

• Give references but no description for established methods
• Give a brief description and references for published but lesser known methods
• Give detailed description of new methods citing the reasons for using them and any limitations if present
• Include background information and results of the study
• Refer to animals and patients as material
• Use trade name of the drugs; instead, use their generic names
• Use non-technical language for technical statistical terms

5.Writing your Results

Keep in mind the objective of your research while writing the “Results” section. The findings of the research can be documented in the form of:

• Illustrative graphs

Use text to summarize small amounts of data. Do not over-use tables, figures, and graphs in your paper. Moreover, do not repeat information presented in the table or figure in the text format. Text must be a summary or highlight of the information presented in tables or figures.

6.Discussing your Results

Good medical theses have a targeted discussion keeping it focused on the topic of the research. Include:

• Statement of the principal findings. Make it clear to show that your thesis includes new information
• Strengths and weaknesses of your study
• Strengths and weaknesses in relation to the other studies
• A take-home message from your study for clinicians and policymakers
• Any questions that are left unanswered in your study to propose new research

How to conclude your medical thesis?

The conclusion of your research study must comprise of:

• The most important statement or remark from the observations
• Summary of new observations, interpretations, and insights from the present study
• How your study fills the knowledge gap in its respected field?
• The broader implications of your work
• How can your work be improved by future research?

However, avoid any statement that does not support your data.

With these tips, write your thesis like a pro and don’t let it delay your doctoral award!

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dissertation

Definition of dissertation

Examples of dissertation in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dissertation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1651, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near dissertation

dissertative

Cite this Entry

“Dissertation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissertation. Accessed 2 May. 2024.

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• boilerplate
• composition
• essay question
• peer review

dissertation | American Dictionary

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the·sis

The·ses.

• catastrophism
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What the New Overtime Rule Means for Workers

One of the basic principles of the American workplace is that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. Simply put, every worker’s time has value. A cornerstone of that promise is the  Fair Labor Standards Act ’s (FLSA) requirement that when most workers work more than 40 hours in a week, they get paid more. The  Department of Labor ’s new overtime regulation is restoring and extending this promise for millions more lower-paid salaried workers in the U.S.

Overtime protections have been a critical part of the FLSA since 1938 and were established to protect workers from exploitation and to benefit workers, their families and our communities. Strong overtime protections help build America’s middle class and ensure that workers are not overworked and underpaid.

Some workers are specifically exempt from the FLSA’s minimum wage and overtime protections, including bona fide executive, administrative or professional employees. This exemption, typically referred to as the “EAP” exemption, applies when: 

1. An employee is paid a salary,  

2. The salary is not less than a minimum salary threshold amount, and 

3. The employee primarily performs executive, administrative or professional duties.

While the department increased the minimum salary required for the EAP exemption from overtime pay every 5 to 9 years between 1938 and 1975, long periods between increases to the salary requirement after 1975 have caused an erosion of the real value of the salary threshold, lessening its effectiveness in helping to identify exempt EAP employees.

The department’s new overtime rule was developed based on almost 30 listening sessions across the country and the final rule was issued after reviewing over 33,000 written comments. We heard from a wide variety of members of the public who shared valuable insights to help us develop this Administration’s overtime rule, including from workers who told us: “I would love the opportunity to...be compensated for time worked beyond 40 hours, or alternately be given a raise,” and “I make around $40,000 a year and most week[s] work well over 40 hours (likely in the 45-50 range). This rule change would benefit me greatly and ensure that my time is paid for!” and “Please, I would love to be paid for the extra hours I work!”

The department’s final rule, which will go into effect on July 1, 2024, will increase the standard salary level that helps define and delimit which salaried workers are entitled to overtime pay protections under the FLSA. 

Starting July 1, most salaried workers who earn less than $844 per week will become eligible for overtime pay under the final rule. And on Jan. 1, 2025, most salaried workers who make less than $1,128 per week will become eligible for overtime pay. As these changes occur, job duties will continue to determine overtime exemption status for most salaried employees.

The rule will also increase the total annual compensation requirement for highly compensated employees (who are not entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA if certain requirements are met) from $107,432 per year to $132,964 per year on July 1, 2024, and then set it equal to $151,164 per year on Jan. 1, 2025.

Starting July 1, 2027, these earnings thresholds will be updated every three years so they keep pace with changes in worker salaries, ensuring that employers can adapt more easily because they’ll know when salary updates will happen and how they’ll be calculated.

The final rule will restore and extend the right to overtime pay to many salaried workers, including workers who historically were entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA because of their lower pay or the type of work they performed. 

We urge workers and employers to visit  our website to learn more about the final rule.

Jessica Looman is the administrator for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. Follow the Wage and Hour Division on Twitter at  @WHD_DOL  and  LinkedIn .  Editor's note: This blog was edited to correct a typo (changing "administrator" to "administrative.")

• Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
• Fair Labor Standards Act
• overtime rule

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"learner" institutional definition being finalized.

Ohio State’s Data Governance team launched a new initiative in 2022 to standardize institutional definitions, partnering with colleagues across the university.

Our latest definition for "Learner" is ready for community review. The group is open to hearing from all faculty and staff from the university and Wexner Medical Center during the review period. Those interested in reviewing these definitions are asked to fill out this Qualtrics survey by Wednesday, May 8 .

Why is this work important?

While faculty and staff at the university use terms like “learner” every day, there is no standard definition for it and other terms across the university and Wexner Medical Center. For everyday use, it might not seem to matter that common terms do not have a standardized institutional definition, but once data comes into the picture, and we start trying to dive into data, the inconsistencies in how these terms are defined can lead to confusion and inaccurate reporting and analysis.

How does this work?

The Data Governance team facilitates the development of working groups, composed of faculty and staff from across the university and medical center, to create standardized institutional definitions. Faculty and staff interested in being involved in future definition creation can email [email protected] to be notified of upcoming opportunities.

Check out previously approved terms via the  Approved Institutional Definitions  webpage.