Iranian Journal of Medical Education

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Introduction. Dissertation is one of the important and valuable information resources especially in libraries. In fact, dissertation reflects the accepted university pattern for research presentation. Evaluation of dissertation subjects during a special period presents the university research strategy. This study was performed to determine the structure and charachteristics of postgraduate dissertations of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Methods. All postgraduate dissertations of IUMS during 1989-1999 were evaluated using a checklist for their structure (i.e. introduction, methods, results, discussion) and type of study (Basic, Applied, Experimental-Devolopment), Experimental, Quasi experimental and Observational. Results. 83.9% of dissertations were for either MD, pharm D or DD 8.9% for PhD, 6.3% for MS and 0.9% for Medical specialty degree. The results showed that 96.6% of these dissertations were applied and 34% basic- applied and, their distribution varied among different schools (School of Dentistry had the most applied dissertations). 47.7% of dissertations were descriptive, 22% descriptive-analytical, 0.6% analytical, 0.6% quasi-experimental and 26% experimental research. There was a great variaton in dissertation structure among different schools. Conclusion. The results of this study indicated the importance of shifting thesis subjects to basic and analytical researches. Also, it could be used as a guide for planning dissertation subjects. Structural differences of thesis among different schools reveal the need for designing an “acceptable unique pattern of thesis writing” in the whole university.

Keywords: Dissertation, Structure, Postgraduate study, Basic research, Applied research.

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