DIETETIC 710 : Research Methods in Human Nutrition

Medical and Health Sciences

2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An overview of research design and techniques used in human nutrition research. Including the formation and critique of research design, data procedures, analysis and ethical issues.

Course Overview

The course provides students with the theory and practice to conduct human nutrition research in different settings. Students will be enabled to gain the confidence to choose appropriate research methods to address specific research questions. Students will be provided with the skills to develop a research proposal to undertake their own research which will include the research design, recruitment strategy, power analysis, ethical and regulatory considerations and responsiveness to Māori where appropriate. 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

Course Director- Associate Professor Andrea Braakhuis 

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Health Sciences

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate and appraise various research designs (including observational, experimental, and qualitative) common to nutrition research (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 3.3 and 4.1)
  2. Describe and apply appropriate data screening procedures, data analysis, interpretation and scientific presentation of food and nutrition data (Capability 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1 and 6.2)
  3. To develop a nutrition related research proposal that meets ethical standards and is responsive to Māori (Capability 1.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 20% Individual Coursework
Laboratories 30% Individual Coursework
Reports 50% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3
Assignments
Laboratories
Reports

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 10 hours of lectures, or workshop/ tutorials, hours of reading and thinking about the content and work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Online

Attendance is expected at scheduled online activities including lectures and laboratories to complete assignments and assessment components of the course.
The course will include live online events including tutorials/lectures and these will be recorded.
Attendance on campus is not required.
Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement.
This course runs to the University semester/quarter timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Students will receive commentary on how University staff will respond to student feedback.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 09/11/2023 08:14 a.m.