Recently, I was surprised by the topic and tile of a thesis in a university of the region, in which the question is just an small prevalence of protozoa in certain not so uncommon children/adult population. Then, besides an X% of prevalence, and may be certain associated factors (which will NOT reported with multivariate analyses according the student), what will be the contribution??? In a topic that has been extensively studied even in the city, as well the region, the country and the World...???
That depends on the level of undergraduate students competency on Epidemiology and Biostatistics. I think the most important thing for undergraduate students theses should mainly focus on introducing them to how to design research questions, applications of study designs, developing sound methodology, developing/adapting/adopting measurement tools, data cillection using appropriate method and applications of basic data analytic methods such as descriptive statistics, hypotheses testing mainly using X square test or t-test. It could also be extended to multivariate analysis, but, that depends on the supervisor's commitment and the student's effort. However, I wouldn't say it should be compulsory requirement from undergraduate theses.
If the topic is already extensively studied, then the supervisor should help them choose another topic, help them find a standardised measurement tool, etc.
The objective to learn basic of clinical trials and biostatistics is marred by shallow topics and is wastage of time and effeort. The level of knowledge of supervisor and his clinical interest in research activities determines good thesis at university level when the trainee is novice. It should be rigirous and thorough study in site of small number of cases or other problems. Besides it , the learning will make the trainee to avoid mediocrity and be good researcher in future with sound knowledge and ethical aptitude, despite the hard work during current thenure. Creation of good future leaders is essential aspect of mentorship and in medicine the need for good role models is all the more evident in the times of research frauds and fabrications.
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