Number of objectives and conclusions in dissertations and thesis

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze the number of objectives and conclusions presented in dissertations and thesis defended at Federal University of São Paulo-Paulista School of Medicine (UNIFESP-EPM).

Methods: It was realized a search in the master degree dissertations and doctor degree thesis defended at Federal University of São Paulo-Paulista School of Medicine in the years 2002 and 2003 that were found available in the central library of this university.

Results: From 723 master dissertations analyzed, 62 (8.57%) presented only one objective and one conclusion, 134 (18.53%) presented one objective and more than one conclusion and 527 (72.89%) had more than one objective and more than one conclusion. From 502 doctor thesis analyzed, 23 (4.58%) presented only one objective and one conclusion, 123 (24.50%) presented one objective and more than one conclusion and 376 (74.90%) had more than one objective and more than one conclusion.

Conclusions: It wasn't found in researched literature the number of objectives and conclusions a scientific work must have. A highest number of thesis and dissertations presented more than one objective and more than one conclusion.