Learning Goal: I’m working on a nutrition project and need a sample draft to help me learn.
Final Project: The Research Proposal
Purpose: To provide a compelling rationale (Chapter 1) and process (Chapter 3) for addressing an unanswered problem or question in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
Required Elements:
Title Page
Table of Contents (TOC)
Chapter 1: Introduction
Overview
- Narrative hook (broad focus)
- The research problem (narrowed focus)
- Studies that have addressed the problem
- Deficiencies in past literature
- The importance of the proposed research
Purpose of study
Research Aims and Hypotheses
Definition of Terms (including the operational definitions of variables)
Delimitations and Limitations
Chapter 3: Methods
Participants and study design
- Describe subject selection and sample size determination process (appendix?*) (Inclusion/exclusion criteria: age, gender, health status, activity status, medications, BMI, etc.)
- Recruitment strategy and randomization strategy
- State IRB approval and written consent will be obtained
- State research design (e.g., randomized controlled trial)
- Describe blinding, study duration, timing of measurements
Describe the independent variable in detail: specific diet, specific supplement, exercise protocol, etc.
Protocol procedures/dependent variables
- Describe the study protocol in detail. Describe monitoring procedures, use of questionnaires etc.
- Flow chart for design (appendix?*)
- Laboratory analyses (appendix?*)
- Describe blood/urine collection and processing (appendix?*)
- Reference procedures and provide some details
Statistical analyses
- State how data are presented (mean±SD)
- Statistical tests and statistical program used (correlation or t-test)
- State level of probability (p<0.05)
*Note: 2 appendices required
OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS
- Limit your submissions to 3500 or less words (1 point per 10 extra words will be deducted). You should be concise, yet thorough enough so that there is clarity throughout and that the reader can follow your writing.
- Cite ALL previous research and facts. Please use a standard style guide for citations – consistency in all formatting aspects (including citations) is required. The ASU formatting guidelines for theses and dissertations provide basic information and can be accessed here: https://graduate.asu.edu/sites/default/files/how-to-use-style-guide.pdf
Rubric
NTR 500 Final Project Grading Rubric
| Criteria |
Ratings |
Pts |
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeRationale for Topic of Choice
|
| 10 to >9.0 pts
Meets/Exceeds Expectations
A clear rationale and description for topic of choice is provided.
|
9 to >7.0 pts
Nearly Meets Expectations
Rationale is provided but description is lacking in detail.
|
7 to >0 pts
Does Not Meet Expectations
Rationale is vague and minimally described.
|
|
10 pts
|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeState of the Literature
|
| 25 to >24.0 pts
Meets/Exceeds Expectations
A detailed description and synthesis of the current state of the literature is provided and relevant references from Assignment 11 are included with citations.
|
24 to >17.5 pts
Nearly Meets Expectations
A description and synthesis of the current state of the literature is provided, but is somewhat lacking in depth and might not include all relevant references from Assignment 11 with citations.
|
17.5 to >0 pts
Does Not Meet Expectations
A vague or minimal description/synthesis of the current state of the literature is provided; missing several relevant references from Assignment 11 with citations.
|
|
25 pts
|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeResearch Question and Hypothesis
|
| 10 to >9.0 pts
Meets/Exceeds Expectations
A clear research question (in PICO format) is provided, along with an appropriate hypothesis addressing the research question.
|
9 to >7.0 pts
Nearly Meets Expectations
Research question is provided, but is not written in PICO format or some components of the research question are missing. A hypothesis is also provided but does not fully address the research question.
|
7 to >0 pts
Does Not Meet Expectations
Research question and hypothesis are vague and/or not included in the paper.
|
|
10 pts
|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStudy Design
|
| 10 to >9.0 pts
Meets/Exceeds Expectations
A specific observational OR experimental study design is proposed.
|
9 to >7.0 pts
Nearly Meets Expectations
An observational OR experimental study design is alluded to but not clearly stated in the paper.
|
7 to >0 pts
Does Not Meet Expectations
Study design is vague or not indicated in the paper.
|
|
10 pts
|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStudy Population
|
| 15 to >14.0 pts
Meets/Exceeds Expectations
A detailed description of the study population (including recruitment procedures, inclusion and exclusion criteria) is provided.
|
14 to >10.5 pts
Nearly Meets Expectations
A description of the study population is provided, but may be lacking in detail on recruitment procedures, inclusion criteria, and/or exclusion criteria.
|
10.5 to >0 pts
Does Not Meet Expectations
Description of the study population is vague and does not address recruitment procedures, inclusion criteria, and/or exclusion criteria.
|
|
15 pts
|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStudy Protocol
|
| 25 to >24.0 pts
Meets/Exceeds Expectations
A detailed description of the study protocol (including data collection methods) is provided. For experimental studies, the intervention methodology is clearly described.
|
24 to >17.5 pts
Nearly Meets Expectations
A description of the study protocol is provided, but may be missing some key details on data collection methods or other procedures. For experimental studies, the description of the intervention methodology is somewhat lacking in detail.
|
17.5 to >0 pts
Does Not Meet Expectations
Study protocol is vague and does not address data collection methods or other procedures. For experimental studies, the intervention methodology is vague with minimal description.
|
|
25 pts
|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStudy Measurements
|
| 15 to >14.0 pts
Meets/Exceeds Expectations
Study measurements are clearly described with a timeline of when measurements are taken.
|
14 to >10.5 pts
Nearly Meets Expectations
Study measurements are described but lacking in detail and/or the timeline might not be fully described.
|
10.5 to >0 pts
Does Not Meet Expectations
Study measurements/timeline for taking measurements is vague or not included.
|
|
15 pts
|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStudy Variables
|
| 15 to >14.0 pts
Meets/Exceeds Expectations
The independent, dependent, and confounding variables are correctly identified.
|
14 to >10.5 pts
Nearly Meets Expectations
Some of the variables (independent, dependent, and confounding) are incorrectly identified.
|
10.5 to >0 pts
Does Not Meet Expectations
Several variables (independent, dependent, and confounding) are incorrectly identified (or not identified at all).
|
|
15 pts
|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStrengths and Weaknesses of Study Design
|
| 15 to >14.0 pts
Meets/Exceeds Expectations
A detailed description of the strengths and weakness of the chosen study design is provided.
|
14 to >10.5 pts
Nearly Meets Expectations
Strengths and weaknesses of the chosen study design are mentioned, but the description is lacking in detail.
|
10.5 to >0 pts
Does Not Meet Expectations
Strengths and weaknesses of the chosen study design either vague, minimally described, or missing from the paper.
|
|
15 pts
|
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConclusion
|
| 10 to >9.0 pts
Meets/Exceeds Expectations
A brief conclusion or summary tying the paper together is provided and flows logically from the rest of the paper.
|
9 to >7.0 pts
Nearly Meets Expectations
A brief conclusion or summary tying the paper together is provided, but may be abrupt or not flow logically from the rest of the paper.
|
7 to >0 pts
Does Not Meet Expectations
Conclusion or summary is vague, does not flow logically from the rest of the paper, or may be missing from the paper.
|
|
10 pts
|
|
Total Points: 150
|