MWAP initiates Synopsis Writing course for young researchers, postgraduates

Topic selected should be feasible, interesting, novel,
ethical and relevant- Dr. Wajiha Rizwan

In future it will be hindex of authors and not number of
publications which will be important-Shaukat Ali Jawaid

LAHORE: The Medical Women Association of Pakistan (MWAP) has launched a training programme for young researchers and postgraduate trainees through a Synopsis Writing Course, which was formally inaugurated on October 4, 2025.

Welcoming the participants, Dr. Wajiha Rizwan, President of MWAP, emphasized the importance of saving patients’ lives and upholding ethical standards in research. She stressed that patient welfare must always be prioritized.

Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid, Chief Editor of the Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, commended MWAP and Dr. Rizwan for this initiative. He underscored the significance of quality over quantity in research, noting that in the future, the h-index of authors, rather than the number of publications, will be the key metric for academic promotions and selections.

He highlighted that topic selection is crucial: it must be relevant, interesting, and innovative. Postgraduates should ensure that their studies are feasible in terms of time and funding. If the study requires expensive investigations, tests, or medications and lacks funding, it may not be completed. He emphasized the need for a publication strategy, stating, “Unless research is published, it has no credibility.”

Mr. Jawaid also acknowledged the contributions of the Pakistan Association of Medical Editors (PAME), which, in collaboration with UHS, runs the Certificate in Medical Editing (CME) and Certificate in Medical Journalism and Editing (CMJE) programmes. The first two batches focused on working editors and editorial board members, and now, almost all medical journal editors in Lahore are women physicians—reflecting our commitment to women empowerment, he noted.

Earlier, Prof. Nazish Imran, who moderated the session, shared that the course is designed to guide participants through all aspects of writing a research synopsis, under the mentorship of distinguished facilitators. The faculty includes senior academicians and research experts dedicated to inspiring the next generation. She added that the course structure would remain flexible and evolve based on participant feedback.

Dr. Wajiha Rizwan then gave a detailed presentation on topic selection and literature review. She emphasized that research should be systematic, aimed at evaluating the safety and efficacy of new medications or treatment modalities. Research contributes to professional development, improves patient care, enhances critical thinking, and supports problem-solving and clinical decision-making.
She advised participants to:
• Review recent journals to identify research gaps.
• Focus on prevalence, epidemiological, prospective, or retrospective observational studies.
• Understand that the research topic and manuscript title are distinct—the topic covers a broad area, while the title is the specific label of the study.
• Use the PICO format for research questions.
• Turn the topic into keywords and use tools like Google Scholar with localized searches (e.g., adding “Pakistan”).
• Explore AI tools for literature review, but verify references and be cautious of AI hallucinations, especially with ChatGPT. She recommended LINER as a more reliable tool.
She concluded by encouraging participants to consult mentors, supervisors, and statisticians early, and noted that synopsis writing is a strong starting point for any research journey.
Dr. Ayesha Zaheer spoke on “Identifying a Researchable Problem: From Idea to Research Question.” She advised participants to:
• Assess their own strengths, weaknesses, and skills.
• Develop questions based on gaps in knowledge, which requires practice.
• Focus on areas of interest and continue working in those domains.
• Ensure ethical and efficient use of resources.
• Frame research questions using who, what, when, where, how, and why.
• Follow the PICOT criteria: Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Timeframe.
• Keep questions feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, and relevant (FINER).
Dr. Saba Saleem covered how to write the introduction of a synopsis. She emphasized:
• Defining the research problem clearly.
• Providing background and rationale.
• Outlining existing knowledge and identifying knowledge gaps.
• Writing specific, measurable objectives aligned with the research question.
• Keeping language clear and concise.
• Avoiding overload of technical terms.
• Ensuring the introduction reflects the importance and impact of the study.
Dr. Saima Chaudhry remarked that the MWAP course will make a meaningful difference. Facilitators will support each other and foster mutual learning.
The course duration is two months, with fortnightly sessions held every alternate Saturday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Each postgraduate participant will be assigned a mentor.
Course Facilitators Include:
• Prof. Nazish Imran and Dr. Irum Aamir – Research Design and Methodology
• Prof. Haleema Yasmeen and Prof. Saima Chaudhry – Data Collection Tools and Techniques
• Prof. Ayesha Humayoun and Dr. Hafiza Asma Nazir – Basics of Data Analysis and Statistical Planning
• Prof. Musarrat Riaz and Dr. Saima Askari – Structure, Formatting, and Common Pitfalls in Synopsis Writing
• Dr. Noori Kiran and Dr. Ayesha Qamar – Use of AI Tools in Research
The concluding session will be held on November 15, featuring feedback and a Q&A session. The course has been structured into seven modules.