Dissertation Time! But Which Topic?

[Aidy]

I have read many a journal and just can't find anything that stimulates me. One thing that has got on my nerves (and not much does) throughout placements is the way doctors do not tell patients that their cannula is really some plastic, and not a metal needle that can poke them anythime they move. And also puttting them in the arms/hands/legs they use most. Do you think I could use this for a dissertation? I'm just worried that I will be stuck without access to masses of literature.

Also any information on what you did or are thinking of doing for your dissertations would be a helpful guide.

Cheers

[puggymae]

When I was in graduate school I was assigned a committee of 5 faculty members to guide me in writing my graduate thesesis. Are you writing a Doctoral Dissertation? Need more info in order to help.

[Aidy]

I'm a 3rd year student nurse undertaking a BSC Hons Nursing dissertation. Yes we do have mentors to guide us but we do not meet them until the 3rd of 12 weeks in which we have to do it plus other stuff. Really just want to figure out an area of reseach that is appropriate. Preferably a topic that has lots of information and is researchable by myself.

cheers

[Bammy]

hey aidy, im doing my dissertation (or supposed to be) too. Im doing about atypical antipsychotics being used on dementia patients and the effect on their cognitive function. ive got friends doing stuff like psychosocial effects of stomas/catheters etc. Another is doing about masectomies and the use of silver on wounds. Just a few ideas for you!

Try the cochrane library on the net to find some journals and stuff.

Good luck, i know i need it!

[llg, PhD, RN]

I have read many a journal and just can't find anything that stimulates me. One thing that has got on my nerves (and not much does) throughout placements is the way doctors do not tell patients that their cannula is really some plastic, and not a metal needle that can poke them anythime they move. And also puttting them in the arms/hands/legs they use most. Do you think I could use this for a dissertation? I'm just worried that I will be stuck without access to masses of literature.Also any information on what you did or are thinking of doing for your dissertations would be a helpful guide.

Cheers

I strongly suggest you go to the library FIRST and browse the literature on a few general topics of interest to you. That way, you can develop a good understanding of the specific issues within that general area that are of interest that have been of interest to other scholars. Such browsing will also give you a good idea as to the availability of information you will need to complete your project.

Too many students pick a topic that "sounds good" to them without a clue as to the "state of the science" of that topic. They pick a topic with their hearts and then cross their fingers in hopes that the appropriate literature to support their work will appear. It's better to acquaint yourself with the areas of interest to you prior to narrowing your choice of topic.

Good luck,

llg

[Aidy]

I'm now thinking of looking at nurse fatigue and in relation to the number of errors. Firstly allowing nurses to document their recognised errors in a confidential journal. Then hopefully analysing them in some form of graph, showing that long consecutive shifts increase errors?

What do you think?