2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

FOOD5445M Nutrition and Health Research

10 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Nisreen Alwan
Email: n.alwan@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

Pre-requisites

FOOD5405M

Professional Development for Employment and Research

Module replaces

FOOD5440M

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The module will use a research-led approach to deliver knowledge and skills at the forefront of the discipline. Students will undertake a critical evaluation of the literature, and write a literature review to answer a research question.

Objectives

The module aims to:
1) develop an advanced understanding of concepts, information and research methods in the field of population health research in relation to nutrition;
2) to develop students ability to critically evaluate research literature;
3) develop understanding of the provisional nature of information and allow for competing and alternative explanations;
4) develop understanding of the scientific method of enquiry in population health research and epidemiology and apply its principles to formulate a hypothesis and write a research proposal to address hypothesis;
5) develop awareness of the limitations of scientific research;
6) develop awareness of the ethical considerations that have to be taken into account during study design;
7) provide examples of top-class research in the field of nutrition and health.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the module, students should be able to:
1) critically evaluate current research findings using information from academic presentations and primary literature;
2) understand the limitations of scientific research and propose research to address key gaps in knowledge;
3) gather information from primary and secondary research to review the available research evidence and make appropriate practice-related conclusions;
4) plan a research programme to investigate a particular area of research;
5) carry out health and safety and ethical risk assessments relevant to the research programme.

Skills outcomes
- Awareness of the evidence hierarchy in population research and the strengths and limitations of different epidemiological study designs;
- evaluation of research findings;
- ethical risk assessment;
- critically appraising and summarising the literature;
- research planning.

Syllabus

Students will attend a series of seminars which will introduce students to key concepts and methodology in relations to the module's objectives. The seminars will also introduce students to research funding mechanisms, and general principles relating to the writing of literature reviews, research proposals, including planning and costing of research, and critical appraisal of existing research. Ethical considerations relating to research will also be discussed.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	3	0.50	1.50
Seminar	3	2.00	6.00
Tutorial	3	0.50	1.50
Private study hours			81.00
Total Contact hours			19.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Directed reading for Seminars: 20 hours
Independent learning and preparation of assignments: 61 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will have opportunities to obtain formative feedback during the tutorials.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Literature Review	4,000 words	60.00
Critique	of research papers	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 08/08/2012

Disclaimer

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