Synopsis Writing Tool — Interactive Template

Step 1 · Candidate, Topic & Feasibility Filter

Enter your working title and screen it against the four feasibility filters before writing anything further. A topic that fails any filter should be revised with your guide before proceeding to later tabs.

Working Title of the Study *

Self-check before proceeding — tick once confirmed with your guide (this checklist is for your own use and is not printed in the synopsis).

Timeline fit — primary outcome can be measured within the available study-conduct window Case volume — enough eligible cases exist at this institution to reach the required sample size Literature gap — a focused search confirms this question is not already answered locally/regionally Guide & resource support — guide's expertise and department data/infrastructure support this design

Step 2 · Introduction & Review of Literature

Summarise what is already known, and state clearly what gap this study will fill. Keep this focused — organise by theme, not by paper.

Introduction / Background *

Review of Literature & Identified Gap *

Step 3–5 · Research Question, Objectives & Hypothesis

State the question in PICO/PECO format, then translate it into one primary objective (this must match your sample size calculation), optional secondary objectives, and — for analytical/comparative studies — a hypothesis.

Research Question (PICO / PECO) *

Primary Objective *

Secondary Objective(s)

Null Hypothesis (H0)

Alternative Hypothesis (H1)

Step 6 · Study Design

Select the design that best fits your question and your available timeline, then justify the choice in one or two sentences — tie it explicitly to how soon the primary outcome can be assessed.

Cross-sectional / Prevalence Study

Exposure and outcome measured at a single time point. No follow-up needed — fastest design to complete.

Case-Control Study

Starts with outcome, looks back for exposure. Good for rare outcomes.

Retrospective Cohort Study

Uses existing records; no enrolment/follow-up bottleneck — a strong option under tight timelines.

Prospective Cohort Study

Followed forward from enrolment. Feasible only if the primary outcome matures early (e.g. within a few months).

Ambispective Cohort Study

Retrospective arm plus a prospective arm — often the best insurance against slow recruitment.

Randomised Controlled Trial

Investigator-assigned, randomised comparison. Needs a short-term primary endpoint to fit a PG timeline.

Diagnostic Accuracy Study

Index test compared against a reference standard, usually within a single visit.

Case Series / Descriptive Study

No comparison group; describes a case group's characteristics or outcomes.

Justification of Design Choice *

Step 7 · Materials and Methods

This is the most scrutinised section by the Ethics Committee. Be specific and internally consistent — every assumption in the sample size calculation should be citable.

Study Setting

Study Duration

Sample Size Calculation *

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Sampling Method

Outcome Measures *

📋 Data Collection — Google Form Link

Paste the link to the Google Form you have created for data collection. This will appear in the Methods section of your printed synopsis, immediately after Outcome Measures.

Note on the Form (optional)

Statistical Analysis Plan

Step 8 · Ethical Considerations

Informed Consent Process

Confidentiality & Data Storage Plan

IEC Submission Status

IEC Approval / CTRI Number (if available)

Step 9 · Expected Outcome & Significance

Expected Outcome and Clinical / Academic Significance

Step 10 · References

One reference per line, in the citation style specified by your institution (commonly Vancouver style for biomedical theses).

References

Step 11 · Timeline & Budget

Present a month-by-month breakdown mapping each phase to your available registration period — this is what forces a genuine feasibility check on paper.

Month-by-Month Timeline

Budget

Step 12 · Preview & Download

This preview regenerates automatically as you fill each tab. Use the toolbar above to download it as a PDF for review submission.