Introduction and Goals
This introductory course is designed to help students develop an appreciation for and understanding of the scientific method and to encourage an understanding of the special relationships between science and other human activities that are part of nutrition.
This project will help students realize the purpose stated above by giving students opportunities to:
- Evaluate nutritional claims regarding diets and nutritional products;
- Utilize the scientific method to ask questions, form hypotheses (e.g., nutritional claim is accurate); and conduct experiments (e.g., use a nutrition database to test hypothesis);
- Conduct research; and record and analyze their observations; and,
- Summarize their findings affirming or negating their hypotheses.
To accomplish the purpose of the project, students must meet the following objectives:
- To develop research skills using scientific method and use reliable resources of nutrition information (scientific journal) including utilizing the internet.
- To explore in-depth a nutrition topic of particular interest to them.
- To successfully work/collaborate with a partner/classmate using the Internet and other research tools.
Instructions
There are two parts to this assignment
- Part A is a Written Paper (50 points, minus 5 points for your topic submission)
- Part B is an Video Presentation. Students will upload a presentation via videoclip in Canvas by the due date. (25 points).
Upload Instructions
- Both Part A and Part B must be uploaded into this assignment submission as two separate files (or one file for Research Paper and embedded Canvas studio video or Google drive link into the provided text box).
- You can upload TWO files in this one assignment submission. Review the Canvas Guides on submitting more than one fileLinks to an external site. if you need assistance.
Grading and Expectations
Group or Individual Nutrition Research Project Grades will be determined based on the following factors.
Part A – Written Paper
The written paper must contain six parts:
- Identify the problem
- Background Research
- Hypothesis
- Experience
- Analysis
- Conclusion
PROBLEM: The Problem is a subject that interests you and that you want to learn about professionally or personally. It can be written in the form of a question or statement and is worth 5 points.
- The topic you select must be uploaded – please state what your nutrition topic is in your upload.
- Be sure to list the names of your partners/classmates on the uploaded document
- Upload your topic within CANVAS under the Group Nutrition Research Project Heading
- BE SURE TO NOTE THE DUE DATE TO TURN IN YOUR TOPIC. The due date is February 27, 2023.
- Don’t miss it or you forfeit 5 points.
- Watch for an email that will introduce you to your project partners/classmates and provide their email address
- You and your project partners/classmates will need to determine how you want to collaborate. Google docs, email, chat, etc., are options you may want to consider. You will also both need to agree on a process for completing the Part A Written Paper.
- You will also need to explain the purpose for your chosen research topic; including development of the key questions the paper will address/answer. Think of it as your outline.
BACKGROUND RESEARCH: As the title implies, this step of your project is the step where you and your partners/classmates act as detectives to find/gather as much information about your chosen topic from any and all reliable resources at your disposal. The course textbook provides a convenient starting point so be sure to use it. Done correctly, your research should provide you with the answers to your key project questions identified in step No. 1. Tip: Organize your ideas in visual or diagrammatic form. This step is worth 8 points.
HYPOTHESIS: Your Hypothesis is the statement you and your partners/classmates develop that presents a tentative solution to your key project question(s) or makes a prediction about it/them. This step is worth 10 points.
EXPERIMENT: For this step, you and your partners/classmates must prepare what’s called a written “Rough Draft (RD)” or experiment based on relevant data from published literature found during your research. The RD can include background information and available qualitative, quantitative and statistical data. It should be no more than 3 to 7 pages (typed, double spaced) and must contain at least three proper citations. The page length noted is simply an estimate. The key point is to be thorough and detailed in your experiment. The RD is designed to give each group member or on an individual basis an opportunity to review the experiment before submission. It will ultimately be your final document. Tip: Be sure your source information is valid/credible and that your RD flows well and is easy to read. This step is worth 7 points.
ANALYSIS: The Analysis phase of your project is a very crucial one. For this step, you and your partner/classmate must thoroughly consider whether or not you have adequately addressed/answered the statement/question you posed in your hypothesis. If you determine you have not, this is your opportunity to make the necessary adjustments to correct the problem(s). Tip: Remember that all information you present, must be based on scientific facts, clearly stated, and organized in a logical manner. This step is worth 10 points.
CONCLUSION: The Conclusion is the final phase of the project. The phase where you and your partners/classmates compile all of your work, evaluate and consider your findings based on your research, and present your written opinion/summary of what you learned/discovered. This phase also usually addresses the problem statement/question you presented and can propose next steps for further research to gain additional insight into the topic in question. This step is worth 10 points.