Syllabus

Master of Science in Applied Nutrition

APN 610 Research Methods – Fall A 2018

Credits - 3

Description

Research methods and research design commonly used in nutrition research are examined. Topics include defining research questions, developing hypotheses, writing research goals and objectives, reviewing and interpreting literature, choosing appropriate research designs, and understanding and summarizing relevant data. Professional presentation of research findings is emphasized. 

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

The coursework for APN 610 is intended to familiarize each student with the core components of research scholarship suitable for presentation in a professional forum, with an opportunity to apply that knowledge as consumers or producers of an original research product suitable for a portfolio, writing submission, IRB application or publication.

Throughout the course you are encouraged to consider the following questions: 1) How do we use research methods to ask important questions and find answers to those questions? 2) What research methodologies guide this journey to produce scientific evidence-based knowledge to contribute to a specific area of study? 3) What are the threats to our research? 4) Can we distinguish limitations and failings in scholarship to think critically and assess our increasing data-driven professions?

Course Outcomes

In this course you will learn how:

• To distinguish the importance of ethics in research for the protection of human subjects.
• To investigate and critique research problems
• To evaluate relevant literature to formulate research questions and/or hypotheses.
• To apply the tenets of qualitative and quantitative methods to scientific investigation.
• To leverage statistical tools to describe, predict, and interpret real-world inquiry.
• To formulate strategies for authoring, publishing, and funding research studies.

Program Objectives

This course will also satisfy the following program objectives:

• Develop and utilize nutrition concepts and best-practices for nutrition and health promotion initiatives 
• Apply core research principles to measure the nutrition status and environment of individuals and communities 
• Interpret and modify complex explanations of complex nutrition concepts for various audiences 
• Research, develop and disseminate evidence-based and theory driven educational materials and work products at an audience appropriate level for topics related to nutrition and health promotion 

Assignments

Discussion Board: Each week you will be asked to respond to a prompt, and foster discussion by responding to responses by classmates. Your success in the course relies on robust discussion, critical thinking, and peer-response. Weekly posts responding to prompts posed are meant to facilitate a deeper understanding of the broader themes of the course as well as enrich the readings, handouts, and lectures. Your initial response should be no less than 400 words. Peer-responses should be no less than 200 words and must be thoughtful, contain compliment as well as constructive criticism, and maintain a professional tone.

Please be sure to follow the individual directions provided with each Discussion Board Prompt, as the requirements may vary from Discussion Board to Discussion Board.

If the initial post and response are not submitted within the discussion week you will be given a zero. Posts submitted after the discussion week will not be graded. 

Initial Blackboard posts are due each Sunday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Post peer-responses by Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Please note: All times refer to Eastern time.

Worksheets: You will complete a series of worksheets that are intended to help you build the skills necessary to succeed in this course.

Final Project: You will be asked to complete a 4- page (approx. 1400 words, independent of reference section) conference-quality prospectus developing proposed research, and create an accompanying conference-style presentation. This is an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge obtained in this course to individually tailored work products, for submission to professional conferences, publications, and/or career presentations.

Each student will propose quantitative OR qualitative research in one of four broad research areas to then narrow the scope for a final research proposal design: 1) health promotion, 2) disease prevention, 3) obesity, 4) social media. Students are encouraged to explore their chosen focus area of the Graduate Applied Nutrition Program, or explore another area of study.

Corresponding examples to the aforementioned research areas could address:

• Health promotion: Evaluate nutritional status and school environment of children using a survey, or
• Disease prevention: Propose a test of differences for community-based disease prevention, or
• Obesity: Design a rigorous qualitative in-depth interview study to assess obesity, or
• Social media: Propose a content analysis to assess health-related social media use.

Key Assessment tips for the prospectus and presentation can be found under the grading policy/rubric section of the syllabus. Writing and reflections developed through interaction with Discussion Board posts will advance sections of the proposal as the course progresses; applying knowledge from readings, lectures, course handouts, and learning objectives to the final project and professional advancement.

Each student will submit a 4- page, 1.5-spaced, 12-point font (Arial or Times New Roman) research prospectus. See Key Assessment Document for details.

Furthermore, in regard to all assignments, please observe the following:

• All assignments must be completed using AMA formatting where appropriate.
• All times refer to Eastern Time (ET).
• All questions about assignments, and all questions in general, should be sent through email.
• No extra credit will be made available.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown