_____________RESEARCH TITLE________________

by

Name of the Student

for

Qualification (Specialty)

under supervision of

Name of the supervisor (with qualification/s, Current designation and

institution)
(May add a co-supervisor if required)

Name of the Postgraduate Institute

Title of Research Project:
UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH
SCIENCES,
Synopsis submitted for: LAHORE
Discipline:

M.S./ M.D./ M.D.S. / MHPE/ M.Phil/ Ph.D

(Select concerned qualification)
Name of the Applicant as per UHS Date of Birth.
Registration Record:

University Registration Number:

Nationality: CNIC #:

Address:

Phone #: Email:

Qualifications (list all; with date of graduation):

Practical Experience (list all; with dates of employment):

ii
 Name of post-graduate institution, where applicant is currently
studying:

Name of parent institution (if on deputation):

Name of Research Supervisor *Signature: Date:

Name of Research Co-supervisor (if *Signature: Date:

any)

Name of Head of the Department *Signature: Date:

Name of Principal/Dean/Head of the *Signature: Date:

institution

Convener, Institutional Ethical *Signature: Date:

Review Committee
(Note. Please enclose details of ethical
considerations and a certificate that all the ethical
obligations have been duly addressed.)

*Signatures should always be accompanied by official stamp.

Table of Contents:

iii
iv
List of Abbreviations:
(To be arranged in alphabetical order)

v
Project Summary:
(In form of continuous text without references, maximum of 500 words, and limited to a single
page):

It should cover all aspects of the research proposal, including short statement of problem,
Research hypothesis/research question, objectives, rationale for proposed study, study design,
sample size, sampling technique including method for allocation to groups, methodology, data
analysis, anticipated results, and potential significance.

1
Introduction

(Limited to a single page)

Introduction should establish the basis of the research, in three paragraphs, duly supported with
references.

First Paragraph: Introduction of the topic. State the research problems. First discuss general
issues and then outline more specific problems.

Second Paragraph: Give short summary of current state of knowledge, gaps or controversy in
existing knowledge or if there is inconclusive evidence. Investigator may have his own
observations/reasons to question the existing knowledge that need to be verified.

Third Paragraph: The researcher will build rationale for conducting the study considering gaps or
controversies in existing knowledge given in second paragraph.

Literature Review:
2
(Not to exceed 3-4 pages, should consist of three sections)

The first section should cover current state of knowledge citing available literature with
references, with gaps or controversy in existing knowledge or if there is inconclusive evidence;
2nd section should introduce the precise nature of the project; the last section should describe
goals/objectives in the light of first two sections.

(In-text-references should be given in Harvard style preferably from last five years. A few older
references can be given only for historical purpose.)

3
Hypothesis:

4
Objectives:

5
Operational Definitions:
(If applicable, with references for standard criteria or definitions.)

6
Materials & Methods/Subjects & Methods:
Patients/Experimental Animals Selection (Inclusion & Exclusion Criteria; attach all proformas
used for data collection at the end as annexures)

Study Design:
 Randomized Control trial
 Comparative study
 Experimental study
 Quasi Experimental study
 Descriptive/Observational study including Cross-sectional study (Not acceptable for
Clinical Research Qualifications i.e., MD, MS, MDS, which must have an interventional,
analytical aspect).

Setting:
Place, where study will be carried out, including the names of collaborating departments and
institutes

Duration:
Anticipated duration of study for M.Phil/MHPE/MS/MD/MDS research should not be less
than 12 months, including the time taken for preparation of synopsis, its approval,
procurements, conduct of research experiments including follow-up if any, to compilation of
results and thesis writing. Ph.D research shall however be subject to the minimum and
maximum duration for PhD prescribed by the HEC.

Sample Size:
To be calculated by appropriate scientific formula and on basis of relevant variables from
published research giving its reference. In case of online calculator screenshot should be affixed.

Sampling Technique:
Including both recruitment of study subjects and subsequent allocation to groups

Sample Selection: Inclusion criteria

7
 Exclusion criteria
Methodology:
(Data Collection Procedure)

What variables (Dependent or outcome and independent or predictors and confounding will
be studied)?

Details of procedures, techniques, and methods

Data Collection Tools/Instruments to be used in the study

8
Statistical Analysis:
Data recording, storage, assessment. How data will be analyzed? Software to be used. What
parametric or non-parametric tests will be used for different variables i.e., level of significance?
How the conclusion will be drawn?

9
Outcome & Utilization:
(Describe in which way the expected results of your study can be useful in advancement of
medical knowledge, and potential translation into health care delivery system.)

10
Bibliography:
(Latest, preferably those published in last five years. To be given in an alphabetical order in
hanging margins, without serial numbers or bullets. All in-text references should be cited in
bibliography.)

Note: The prescribed referencing style has been Harvard Style, available
https://uhs.edu.pk/downloads/HarvardStyle.pdf (CTRL+ Mouse Click)

11
Annexures: Including:
 Ethical Considerations (duly signed by the candidate and the supervisor)
 Informed Consent Proforma (English & Urdu Translations) – Prescribed
template in English has been made available at pages 13-14 of this document.

 Estimated Cost of the Project: which includes the funds required for all
chemicals / reagents, laboratory equipment/ materials or study animals (if any) to
be utilized in the research needs. Cost estimate should be given in an itemized,
tabulated format, including all direct and indirect costs.
 Plan of work (Gantt Chart): Schedule/Phasing (In order to achieve the
desired objectives of the study, divide your work plan into different phases in a
tabular form)
 Data collection tool/s including proforma, questionnaire, survey, etc.

Note: Covering letter from the institution, and Certificate of approval of Ethical Review
Committee/Institutional Review Board shall also be placed with annexures, rather than
placing at top of the synopsis.

12
 Informed Consent Form
Project Title: ________________________________________________
Principal Investigator: ________________________________________________
Research Team
Contact: _________________________________________________
Importance of the (It includes brief overview and significance of the study on level of
study/ Purpose of the understanding for the person who will be signing the form, keep it
study: simple.)
Description of the (Basically, informing the participants how they are involved in
Research: research if they have to fill questionnaire, give blood samples, tissues
sample etc.)
Confidentiality: (Let the participants know they level of identity protection of any
personal information collected for this study. Will their identity be
fully protected, if not, then to what level and what will be publicly
available?)
Potential Hazards/ (Outline any potential risk or discomforts, and how those risks will be
Side Effects/ addressed if they arise. If you believe there are no risks involved, since
Discomfort to the there is never a guarantee, state that there are “no known risks”.)
patients/ Subjects:

Authorization:

 I, ______________________________S/o or D/o____________________________________
ID No___________________________ hereby fully agree to contribute to the above-mentioned
study and future related studies on these samples. I was given ample time to think and discuss
the study. I understand that this study is designed to add to the medical knowledge. I have been
informed about the nature of the procedure and the possible risk(s) / discomfort(s) involved. I
had the opportunity to ask any questions about the study and I agree to give ________ samples
as requested by _________________, the researcher.
 I have also been informed about my explicit right to withdraw from the study at any time if I
want to.
 I have no objection in case the data obtained from me, and my investigations(s) is published in a
research journal maintaining confidentiality.

13
 I have also been conveyed that my participation / non-participation will not affect my treatment
(if applicable).

Patient/ Volunteer/ Subject Name: Signature

(Parent/Guardian/Legal Heir in
case of Minor / Mental handicap /
Deceased)

Researcher Name: Signature

14