Masters in Health Professions Education 2018

Research Proposal/ Synopsis for MHPE Dissertation

RIPHAH CMS #------------------Final date of submission:

The research proposal / synopsis is a brief outline (about four A-4 size pages or 2500 words is
the maximum limit) of your future dissertation/thesis work.

Title of Study:

Name of the Student:

Name of the Supervisor:

Name of the Co-Supervisor (if any):

Duration of Project:

Degree awarding Institute:

Institute where study will be conducted:

Name and Signature of Student:

Name and Signature of Supervisor:

Name and Signature of Dean FHMS- Riphah International University:

Name and Signature of Director of Program:

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 Masters in Health Professions Education 2018
A synopsis must have the following headings:

TITLE OF STUDY: Should reflect the objectives of the study. It must be written afterthe whole
synopsis has been written so that it is a true representative ofthe plan (i.e. the synopsis).

INTRODUCTION: Should contain brief background of the selected topic. Itmust identify the
importance of study, rationale, its relevance and applicability ofresults. It must clearly state the
purpose of the studywith justification and educational problem identification/Statement-Why
the particular topic is selected? (if applicable).

RESEARCH QUESTION (S):are questions in quantitative or qualitative research that narrow the
purpose statement to specific questions that researchers seek to answer. Researcherstypically
develop them before identifying the methods of the study (i.e., the types of datato be
collected, analyzed, and interpreted in a study).

OBJECTIVE(S) OF STUDY: An objective is intent of what the researcher wants todo state in clear
measurable terms.”

CONCEPTUAL, THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK:

To get from idea, problem or phenomenon of interest to a research question, it is necessary to
have a conceptual,theoretical framework for the study: Identify underlying theories of
mechanisms and principles of learning,teaching or education pertaining to the topic and search
the literature for ‘what is already known’ and‘what needs to be investigated further’.

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION: Is the definition of the exposure andoutcome variables of interest

in context to objective in study.

HYPOTHESIS: are statements in quantitative research in which the investigator makes a

prediction or a conjecture about the outcome of a relationship among attributes or
characteristics.A hypothesis is a statement showing expected relation b/w 2 variables.

METHODOLOGY / STUDY DESIGN: Mention the name of the appropriate study

design(Qualitative, Quantitative or Mixed methods) and then mention itstype.
SETTING: Name and place where the research work is to be conducted.
DURATION OF STUDY: How long will the study take with dates?
SAMPLE SIZE: How many will be included. If there are groupshow many per group?
SAMPLING TECHNIQUE: Type of sampling technique employed(How you will select the
subjects?).
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?

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 Masters in Health Professions Education 2018
DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE: A detailed account of how theresearcher will perform
research; how she/he will measure the variable.It includes: Identification of the study variables

METHODS: Data collection tool/ Instrument(questionnaire/Focus group discussion etc) and its
procedure. The researcher must attach, as an annex, the questionnairewith the help of which
he/she intends to collect data. The proforma/questionnaire must match the objectives and
must not contain irrelevantsections like inclusion and exclusion criteria etc.or questions which
will be used in focus group discussion or semi structured interview. Mention the strategy for
triangulation, if doing.

CONTROL OF BIASES (What kind of biases can threat your study and how will you control
them?)

PILOT TESTINING IF ANY?

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

BUDGETING:

REFERENCES:
In APA Sixth Edition

Use Font Type, Times New Roman

ANNEXE:
Annexure I: Instrument
Annexure II: Gantt chart for study plan

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