Accuracy of the methodology section of graduate and post-graduate theses in Shahid Beheshti medical university, school of dentistry from March 2009 to October 2011

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the histologic interaction Theses are among the most important research sources of the universities and should be authored according to the international standards of scientific writing. The present study aimed at determining the accuracy of the methodology section of graduate and post-graduate theses conducted in Shahid Beheshti Medical University, School of Dentistry from March 2009 to October 2011. In this descriptive cross-sectional study all approved theses of the Shahid Beheshti Medical University, School of Dentistry from March 2009 to October 2011 were evaluated according to the international check lists. For data analysis, SPSS version 16.0 software, ANOVA and independent ttest were used. A total of 101 theses with observational design and 72 with experimental design were evaluated. The mean conformity of observational theses with STROBE check list was 75%. The highest conformity was observed in the complete description of inclusion and exclusion criteria [95%] while the lowest conformity was observed in the bias control [48%]. The mean conformity of the interventional theses with all the items of CONSORT checklist was 62%. The highest conformity was found in complete description of the type and process of intervention [90.3%] whereas the lowest conformity was found in allocation concealment mechanism [88%]. No significant correlation was found between the presence of a consulting professor and academic ranking of the thesis instructor and the mean score of thesis. In observational theses, the lowest conformity was observed in the description of the bias control; whereas, in interventional theses the lowest conformity was detected to be in allocation concealment mechanism