Syllabus

Schedule

Course Dates

Week 1: Sep 4 – Sep 10
Week 2: Sep 11 – Sep 17
Week 3: Sep 18 – Sep 24
Week 4: Sep 25 – Oct 1
Week 5: Oct 2 – Oct 8
Week 6: Oct 9 – Oct 15
Week 7: Oct 16 – Oct 22
Week 8: Oct 23 – Oct 29
Week 9: Oct 30 – Nov 5
Week 10: Nov 6 – Nov 12
Week 11: Nov 13 – Nov 19
Week 12: Nov 20 – Nov 26
Week 13: Nov 27 – Dec 3
Week 14: Dec 4 – Dec 10
Week 15: Dec 11 – Dec 17
Week 16: Dec 18 – Dec 22

Please note:  Weeks 1 and 8 will only open after the course surveys have been completed.

Week 1: Course introduction

Weekly Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you will address the following competencies:

• Distinguish secondary research methods from other types of research.
• Discuss the difference between basic and applied research.
• Recognize the characteristics of high-quality research.

Required Readings

• See course for assigned readings

Assignments

Week 1 Assignment: Evaluation of a Secondary Data Research Publication

Discussions

Week 1 Discussion: Introduction

Week 2: Developing a research question

Weekly Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you will address the following competencies:

• Demonstrate how a research question can relate to an identified gap in the literature.
• Compare the methods, benefits and drawbacks of primary and secondary research.

Required Readings

• See course for assigned readings

Assignments

Start Working on Quiz: Weeks 1-3 (Due Week 3)

Week 3: Sources of secondary data; Power analysis and Statistical analysis

Weekly Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you will address the following competencies:

• Find sources of secondary data for the completion of a secondary data analysis study.
• Identify appropriate statistical tests to achieve goals of research studies.
• Use power analysis to interpret the validity of a research study. 

Required Readings

• See course for assigned readings

Assignments

Week 3 Quiz

Week 4: Identifying secondary data to answer research question

Weekly Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you will address the following competencies:

• Justify gaps in literature by summarizing current knowledge.
• Demonstrate how a specific dataset can be used to conduct a secondary data analysis study designed to fill a gap in literature.

Required Readings

• See course for assigned readings

Assignments

Week 4 Assignment: Gap in Literature and Secondary Data Source

Week 4: Meet With Your Instructor

Week 5: Research ethics

Weekly Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you will address the following competencies:

• Demonstrate understanding and competency to protect the health and safety of human subjects

Required Readings

• See course for assigned readings

Assignments

Week 5 Assignment: CITI Training

Week 6: Science wrting

Weekly Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you will address the following competencies:

• Describe what makes science writing different from other types of writing.
• Develop a writing and editing approach that allows them to produce high-quality science writing.

Required Readings

• See course for assigned readings

Discussions

Week 6 Discussion: Science Writing

Week 7: Writing part 1 of prospectus

Weekly Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you will address the following competencies:

• Productively write the first draft of part 1 of a research prospectus following the provided guidelines.  

Required Readings

• See course for assigned readings

Assignments

Week 8: Writing week

Weekly Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you will address the following competencies:

• Complete the first draft of part 1 of a research prospectus demonstrating graduate-level science writing. 

Required Readings

• See course for assigned readings

Assignments

Week 7 & 8 Assignment: Research Prospectus Part 1

Week 9: Peer editing

Weekly Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you will address the following competencies:

• Apply critical thinking and careful evaluation as you edit and critique your peers’ documents.
• Demonstrate professional respect and communication skills.

Required Readings

• See course for assigned readings

Assignments

Week 9 Assignment: Critique of Part 1 of Research Prospectus

Week 10: Writing part 2 of prospectus

Weekly Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you will address the following competencies:

• Consider feedback and apply recommendations as appropriate.

Required Readings

• See course for assigned readings

Assignments

Week 11: Writing week

Weekly Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you will address the following competencies:

• Independently complete a complex writing project.
• Submit a complete research prospectus by an established deadline. 

Required Readings

• See course for assigned readings

Assignments

Week 10 & 11 Assignment: Prospectus Parts 1 and 2

Week 12: Peer editing

Weekly Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you will address the following competencies:

• Apply critical thinking and carefully evaluate peers’ documents.
• Demonstrate professional respect and communication skills.

Required Readings

• See course for assigned readings

Assignments

Week 12 Assignment: Critique of Part 2 of Research Prospectus

Week 13: Writing week

Weekly Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you will address the following competencies:

• Consider feedback and apply recommendations as appropriate.
• Revise writing to improve clarity and to make the narrative more compelling.

Required Readings

• See course for assigned readings

Assignments

Week 13 Assignment: Revision of Part 2 of Research Prospectus

Week 14: Editing and revising full prospectus

No content. This week you should continue to carefully edit your research prospectus as you wait for your instructor to provide feedback.

Week 15: Editing and revising full prospectus

Weekly Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you will address the following competencies:

• Submit a high-quality, professional research prospectus that clearly and thoroughly follows provided guidelines.
• Recognize the need for significant editing and multiple drafts when writing research documents. 

Required Readings

• See course for assigned readings

Assignments

Week 15 Assignment: Prospectus Final Draft

Week 16: Course reflection

Weekly Learning Outcomes

By the end of this week, you will address the following competencies:

• Reflect on an experience to fully appreciate growth.
• Recommend improvements to benefit future students. 

Required Readings

• See course for assigned readings

Assignments

Week 16: Course Reflection and E-Portfolio Piece

Discussions

Week 16 Discussion: Reflect on Writing Research Prospectus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, resources to support academic success, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Applied Nutrition page

UNE Libraries

The University of New England Library Services are central to the intellectual life of the University community and an essential resource for doctorate students across didactic, residency, and research coursework and experiences.

UNE Library Services may be accessed through OKTA or by visiting https://library.une.edu/. 

• Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
• Nutrition Resources
• Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.

ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.

Career Ready Program

The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!

The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.

Policies

AMA Writing Style Statement

In keeping with the requirements of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course and is available at both UNE libraries under the title "AMA Manual." Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.

Online resources: AMA Style Guide

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

You can learn more about Turnitin here: Understanding the Similarity Score for Students.

Submission of Coursework for Publication or Presentation

Students interested in submitting a manuscript or other work completed in the course for publication or presentation external to UNE must obtain written approval from the course instructor and DCN Program Director prior to submission. The student should contact the course instructor or DCN Program Director to obtain a copy of the DCN Permission to Publish/Present Form which must be completed by the student per the form's instructions. Failure to follow these steps and complete the form prior to submission for publication/presentation or abide by the requirements therein will result in a professionalism violation. If granted permission to publish or present, the student is expected to indicate that the manuscript or other work was prepared as part of course and degree requirements while a student in the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition at the University of New England. University affiliation for publications, abstracts, posters, or other presentations should be listed as "Graduate Programs in Applied Nutrition, College of Professional Studies, University of New England." Please contact the DCN Program Director for UNE templates and logos that must be used for posters and presentations.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring continuous access to computer and technology requirements throughout their program of study. Course faculty will not routinely accept computer or other technology issues as an excuse for assignments that are not submitted per instructions, that are submitted late, or are missing a submission.

Course Participation Policy

Courses within the DCN Program are demanding and exacting. Students are expected to be present in course discussions and group activities, prepared for class, and actively engaged as evidenced by critical thinking and meaningful participation. Students are expected to schedule their personal and/or professional obligations and their course registrations so as to maintain continuous and complete participation throughout courses. Any absence from course activities will impede learning. However, circumstances may arise that cause students to be absent from active course participation on either a preplanned or an emergency basis.

Active course participation is defined as engaged participation in group activities, fulfilling discussion requirements within the published timeline, and submitting assignments within the published timeline. Absence is defined as lacking engaged participation in group activities and not fulfilling discussion requirements within the published timeline, and/or not submitting assignments within the published timeline.

Both preplanned and emergency absences are to be kept to a minimum and should not exceed, cumulatively, 10% of the assignments in a course. Exceeding this limit may result in grade reduction for the course or failing the course. Students are to make arrangements in advance of the absences with the instructor for submission of assignments and discussion participation, in accordance with specifications communicated in the course syllabus. An emergency absence is one that students do not know about in advance and often involves situations such as health issues. In this case, students are to notify the instructor as soon as possible and make arrangements for submission of assignments and discussion participation in accordance with specifications communicated in the course syllabus.

Late Policy

Assignments: Assignments submitted after the due date and time will receive a deduction of 10% of the total possible grade for each day it is late. After three days, the assignment will not be accepted. No assignments will be accepted after the course ends.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, acceptance of the discussion board is at the discretion of the faculty. Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Students are encouraged to make every effort ahead of time to contact their instructor and their student support specialist if they are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.