Posted: June 1st, 2015

COMPARATIVE DIAGNOSTIC TEST ACCURACY OF MRI VERSUS CT SCAN IN THE ASSESSMENT OF ADULT PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD): A STRUCTURED SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF PROTOCOL

• Structured Literature Review

In selecting this option you will undertake an in-depth review of existing published primary research on a specific topic. Conducting a Structured Literature Review (SLR) involves a ‘desk top’ review using specific, explicit and therefore reproducible methodological strategies to select, analyse, synthesise and present critical commentary on previously published primary research studies with the purpose of answering a specified and highly focused research question.

 

Completing a Structured Literature Review will enable you to develop and demonstrate your research skills in conducting an in-depth critical review, quality assessment of empirical work, data extraction and analysis. This provides the opportunity to synthesise the results of existing primary research studies to answer a specific question. To meet with the learning outcomes for the dissertation module, undertaking a SLR entails developing a highly focused and appropriate research question that is relevant to your discipline/professional background. This will be associated with appraising primary research which:

 

• Evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention (i.e. focusing on Quantitative studies)

 

 

This should allow you to appraise a narrow range of studies (normally between 4-6 primary research studies) linked to the clearly defined area of investigation. Ethical approval is not normally required to undertake a structured review.

 

NB Whilst there is varying terminology associated with ‘reviewing literature’, please avoid undertaking an integrative review (i.e. a combination of qualitative and quantitative studies); a review of published systematic reviews or scoping studies (i.e. inclusion wide range of different types of studies which are mapped, characterised and categorised in term of their results and features). These types of reviews are more complex and demanding in nature and would be difficult to complete in the specified time frame for this Masters Framework Dissertation.

 

Master Dissertation Assessment Criteria

Assessment of the Masters Dissertation is based on your ability to produce an in-depth piece of scholarship based on inquiry that demonstrates you have engaged with current debate within the literature, data analysis and evaluation of findings in order to consider the inherent implications.

 

The Assessment Matrix informs assessment of the Masters Dissertation for Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework (level 11), which outlines the generic expectations of Master’s level study (please refer to appendices). This matrix clarifies that masters candidates are required to demonstrate a systematic comprehension and understanding of current issues/problems/challenges/insights in a related field/area of practice; application of research techniques; originality in knowledge transfer; conceptual understanding which permits criticality, reasoning and evaluation. Consequently, the following module specific criteria underpin the assessment of the Dissertation:

 

 

• Demonstrates internal consistency and originality in undertaking the study
• Evidences criticality and evaluation in the use of information to present and sustain reasoned arguments
• Justifies methodological approach and appropriateness of methods deployed to enable research inquiry
• Demonstrates appropriate methods of data analysis, presentation and discussion of findings
• Draws appropriate conclusions from key findings and offers appropriate recommendations

Presents a dissertation in an appropriate, logical, coherent and concise format to comply with academic convention

 

 

Module Learning Outcomes

A number of learning outcomes are associated with undertaking the dissertation project. These are outlined in the following extract from the approved module descriptor:

 

On completion of this module the student should be able to:

• Critically utilise a range of search strategies to identify literature related to the area of interest
• Critically evaluate related literature related to the area of interest
• Provide a systematic critical account for structured literature review
• Synthesise knowledge and theory from a range of sources
• Reflect and critically comment on any procedural issues/problems which may have arisen
• Evaluate the significance of the findings associated with undertaking a structured literature review
• Critically and creatively comment on the findings potential to contribute to the relevant areas of professional practice
• Produce, in a standard format, a comprehensive focused research report which meets the aim and objective of having undertaken a Structured Literature Review.

 

Structuring the Component Parts of the Masters Dissertation

Whether undertaking empirical study or a structured literature review, the components of the dissertation will be similar in that it should contain discrete sections and chapters, which reflect the following:

 

Front Cover Page – details study title, student’s name, Degree Programme, Matriculation Number, date/month/year presented, word count

 

Second Page – Declaration of Authenticity – statement, as noted above, confirming that the dissertation is your work

 

Abstract – orientates reader, a succinct outline of the study approach and findings

 

Acknowledgements

 

Table of Contents Page – by number, lists major sections and sub-divisions and indicates page number

 

List of tables/Figures/illustrations/list of appendices

 

List of Abbreviations/Glossary

 

Suggested Outline of Chapters for a Structured Literature Review:

 

1-Introduction – Context and background literature, which presents the topic area, rationale to conduct the study, appraisal of prior work in the field, identifies where your work may contribute to the knowledge base 1000 words

 

2-Methodology – critically discusses the methods/techniques deployed to identify eligible studies, their appraisal and analysis to underpin the study 2500 words

 

3-Literature review (4500 words )

 

4-Results ( 3000 words ) and 5-Discussion( 2500 words ) – details outcome of search strategy; identification of relevant studies, quality appraisal, data analysis and synthesis of data; study limitations; findings are critically discussed and evaluated, offers comparison with prior work discussed in the literature review chapter, consideration of implications

 

6-Conclusion and recommendations( 500 words ) – draws the findings together to provide a reasoned argument; summarises the key findings; identifies areas for further research.

 

7-References – identification of sources, which have been cited to support the critical inquiry.

 

8-Appendices – important information, which is best, placed in this section to avoid distracting the argument /discussion in text.

 

**Students may require producing significant supplementary detail in conducting a SLR. Consequently, thought should be given to the utility offered by appendices and their creative use in capturing important information beyond that which needs to be needs to be included, for example, from the search, quality assessment or data extraction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presentation of the Masters Dissertation

The University requirements shall be adhered to in the format of the submitted dissertation. These regulations stipulate:

 

• The dissertation shall be word processed in A4 format.
• Referencing must conform to the Harvard system (SHLS Citation Guide available from ‘GCU Learn’ – 14/15 ABC Masters Framework Dissertation Composite site).
• The size of characters used in the main text, including notes, shall not be less than 2.00mm for Capitals and 1.5mm for lower case, e.g. Acceptable Font is Arial; Font Size 12.
• The dissertation shall be printed on the recto side of the page only. The paper shall be white and within the range of 70gm² to 100gm²
• The margin at the left-hand binding edge of the page shall not be less than 40mm, other margins shall not be less than 15mm

• The absolute maximum word count for the dissertation is 15000 words.
  • The word count refers to all words used within the Abstract and Chapters. These are the assessed sections text of the dissertation and therefore the wordage should not exceed a maximum of 15,000 words.
  • The word count includes all in-text references, tables and any figures made in the text within the chapters of the dissertation.
  • If the word count exceeds 15,000 words, a 10% penalty will be automatically deducted from the final mark awarded.
  • There is no minimum word count for the Dissertation.
  • The following do not contribute to the word count: Front Cover, Contents Pages, List of Tables/Figures, Terms of Reference, Acknowledgements Reference List/Bibliography and Appendices.
  • The total word count must be displayed on the title page of the dissertation.

• It is expected that submitted work will conform to a high standard of literacy incorporating appropriate terminology.

• 1.5 or double spacing shall be used in the main body of the text, except for indented quotations, footnotes or references where single line spacing should be used
• Pages shall be numbered consequently through the main text, including photographs, tables or figures included as whole pages

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Markers comment:    

 

Demonstrates internal consistency and originality [learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4 – Identifies the area of interest and justifies the study; demonstrates a critical approach to in presenting background literature; demonstrates clarity in presenting a highly focused research questions/aim/objectives; demonstrates logical progression of study from research question to conclusion].                        /20                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Justifies methodological approach and appropriateness of methods [learning outcomes: 1, 3, 4, 5 – Defends the type of approach adopted to underpin the review; critically discusses the methods/techniques deployed to identify eligible studies, their appraisal and analysis].    /15

 

 

Demonstrates appropriate data presentation analysis and discussion of findings, including recommendations /implications [learning outcomes: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 – Demonstrates an effective search strategy in relation to undertaking a structured review; presents and defends inclusion of relevant studies, proficient in quality appraisal, data analysis and synthesis; acknowledges limitations; a reasoned argument presented regarding implications

( this part very important and the highest mark                                               /45

 

Draws appropriate conclusions from key findings and offers appropriate recommendations [Learning outcomes 5, 6 – Presents a critical overview of key findings and draws conclusions]

/10

 

 

Presents masters research dissertation in an appropriate format [Learning outcome 8 – Presents the research dissertation coherently and concisely; conforms to presentation guidelines; grammatically error free; adheres to referencing guidelines; complies with academic convention]                                                                                                                                                                                    /10